Featured speakers Jesus Garza, Thomas A. Blackwell, MD and Clarke Heidrick provide a regional overview of healthcare issues. Topics of conversation include the ongoing implementation of the Travis County Hospital District, expansion of the University of Texas Medical Branch to Austin, and other timely issues.

Thomas A. Blackwell, MD, is Professor, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Senior Associate Dean for Austin Initiatives for the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Dr. Blackwell, a specialist in Internal and Emergency Medicine, is a published expert on training and education for General Internal Medicine. Dr. Blackwell is leading UTMB's initiatives in graduate medical education and residency programs in Austin and is integrally involved in its plans for a regional campus in Austin.

Jesus Garza is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Seton Health Ministry, including Brackenridge Hospital, Seton Shoal Creek, Seton Highland Lakes and Seton Edgar B. Davis. Garza served as Austin's City Manager from 1994 to 2002 and in 2000 was named by Governing magazine as one of its Public Officials of the Year. Prior to joining Seton, Garza served as Deputy General Manager for the Lower Colorado River Authority. In addition to managing the operations of Brackenridge, Mr. Garza is leading the development of a community vision for Brackenridge after the new Children's Hospital opens in 2007.

Clarke Heidrick, a longtime shareholder with Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody, is also a dedicated community leader. After serving as volunteer chair of the steering committee that worked successfully for two years to pass the Travis County Hospital District, he was elected chairman of the board of the Hospital District in August, 2004.