Medical Society of Milwaukee Welcomes Representative Patrick J. Kennedy to Milwaukee During National Recovery Month

MILWAUKEE, WI (September 13, 2016) – The Medical Society of Milwaukee County (MSMC) and Medical Society of Milwaukee County Foundation welcome author and former U.S. Representative, Patrick J. Kennedy to headline a Monday, September 19^th evening event at the Italian Conference Center focused on mental health, addiction and recovery.

Patrick J. Kennedy, son of the late Senator Ted Kennedy and nephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, has become one of the nation’s leading political voices on mental illness and addiction, and is co-founder of One Mind, founder of the Kennedy Forum, and author of A Common Struggle.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy to Milwaukee to highlight the dangers of prescription narcotic abuse and addiction,” says Kathy Schmitz, Executive Director of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County. “His personal and national political fight with mental illness and addiction builds on the Medical Society’s lead initiative to promote prescription drug safety and support our collaborative efforts to provide resources for prevention, treatment and recovery. Medical Society physicians have been at the forefront of these efforts, leading changes in policy and treatment.”

Sponsors of the event include the Medical Society of Milwaukee County, Medical Society of Milwaukee Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation‘s Jean F. and Charles T. Gorham Fund and Ted and Jeanne Hasbrook Fund, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services – Behavioral Health Division, City of Milwaukee Health Department, Rogers Behavioral Health, Zilber Family Foundation, Pfizer, Community Advocates, Aurora Health Care, Muslim Community & Health Center, and Community Advocates.

“We are honored to partner with the Medical Society of Milwaukee to share Patrick Kennedy’s story of recovery with our community,” said Héctor Colón, Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services. “One in five people suffer from mental illness. When an individual struggles, it also affects the family. Through partnerships like this, we are starting community conversations that break the stigma associated with mental illness that often prevents an individual and their family from seeking the resources they need to heal.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Kathy Schmitz or Katy Glodosky at 414-323-6362. To register for the event visit www.medicalsocietymilwaukee.org. Ticket prices for this event are $25.00 for the general public. The evening will begin with resource booths in the lobby at 5:30 p.m., a SOLD OUT VIP reception from 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m., to be followed by Mr. Kennedy’s keynote speech at 7 p.m. The Italian Conference Center is located at 631 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee, WI.

About the Medical Society of Milwaukee Foundation
Uniting a profession, the Medical Society of Milwaukee Foundation empowers physicians through philanthropic partnerships and compelling programming to impact lives and strengthen communities.

About the Medical Society of Milwaukee County
Established in 1846, the Medical Society of Milwaukee County is an organization of 3,500 physicians and medical students that provides leadership on critical health issues, such as prescription drug safety, to improve the overall health status of the community. We believe physicians have a profound impact on our community, inspiring hope and healing. The Medical Society of Milwaukee County is powered by the wisdom and expertise of its physician members. From families with young children to seniors who have lived generations, the health care needs of Milwaukee’s diverse community compel our work at the Medical Society of Milwaukee.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.