Griffin Forums

The Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government organizes two policy forums each year that address social, political-economic, environmental, and other current and important issues. 

Fall 2025 Griffin Forum

Dr. Mona Hanna: From the Flint Water Crisis to Rx Kids

Dr. Mona Hanna wearing a red shirt and tinted glasses holds a baby wearing a white headband and white floral outfit.Wednesday, November 12
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Anspach 161
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Join us for the Fall 2025 Griffin Forum featuring Mona Hanna, MD, MPH, founder and director of Rx Kids, the nation’s first-ever community-wide prenatal and infant cash prescription program.

Dr. Mona is a pediatrician and director of the Michigan State University-Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative. A nationally recognized child health researcher and advocate, she launched the community-partnered initiative in response to the Flint water crisis to improve outcomes for kids. She is also the Associate Dean for Public Health and C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Dr. Mona is the author of the New York Times 100 most notable book, What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City. Grounded in community-based participation, Dr. Mona and the Pediatric Public Health Initiative work with many local and national partners to boldly improve child health equity and share best practices. She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and recognized as one of USA Today’s Women of the Century for her role in uncovering the Flint water crisis and leading recovery efforts.

With concentrations in environmental health and health policy, Dr. Mona received her bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan. She completed her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and her residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit.

Event sponsors

The Griffin Forums are sponsored by the Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government within the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service with support from the Philip A. Hart and William G. Milliken Endowed Speaker Series for Integrity in Politics at Central Michigan University.

Past forums

  • Legislative Legends: A Forum of Experience featuring Jim Ananich, Dan Kildee and Dave LewAllen (4/20/2025)
  • Baldly Bipartisan, Civil Political Talk featuring John Sellek & Adrian Hemond (10/22/2025)
  • Shaping LGBTQ+ Policies in Michigan (10/2/2023)
  • Can Policy Break the Stigma? Mental Health Policy in Michigan (3/14/2023)
  • Ballot Breakdown (10/25/2022)
  • Cannabis Policy: Hashing it Out (3/15/2022)
  • Reporting from Washington: A Conversation with Political Correspondents (4/12/2021)
  • Building Better Communities Through Passion, Power, Politics and Purpose (2/18/2019)
  • The Redistricting Dilemma: How the Political Map Determines Elections (4/9/2018)
  • Off the Record, On the Road: Borders, Boundaries, and Migration (10/30/2017)
  • Civility, Engagement and Polarized Politics: How Can I Make a Difference? Five Perspectives from Distinguished Michigan Leaders (4/17/2017)
  • HUMAN TRAFFICKING! Not in my neighborhood? (3/20/2017)
  • Michigan's Democratic and Republican Parties: In a State of Evolution or Revolution? (9/26/2016)
  • Emergency Financial Managers . . . Do They Have a Legitimate Place in Michigan Government? (3/21/2016)
  • Highway Tax Proposal (4/20/2015)
  • The Future of Healthcare in Michigan: Availability, Affordability, and Quality (4/7/2014)
  • ​​Justice Elizabeth Weaver (10/21/2013)
  • The Future of Labor Unions in Michigan (4/8/2013
  • Predictions for the November Elections (4/2/2012)
  • The Future of Higher Education in Michigan (10/10/2011)
  • And Justice for All? Should Michigan Change the Way We Select Judges? (4/4/2011)
  • Making Public Management Work in the Global Economy (9/23/2010)
  • Changing Michigan's Mitten: How Many Cities, Townships and School Districts Do We Need? (4/14/2010)
  • Michigan's Economic Future: Is There a Light at the End of the Assembly Line? (10/27/2009)
  • Election 2008: What will happen on November 4th and how will the results impact Michigan? (10/22/2008)
  • Can Climate Change Heat Up Michigan's Economy? (4/9/2008)
  • Now What? Managing the Budget Crisis (11/6/2007)
  • Does Michigan Need a New Constitution? (4/11/2007)
  • November 7: What Will Happen? (10/25/2006)
  • Affirmative Action/Racial Preferences: Should They Be Banned? (3/29/2006)
  • Michigan's Economy: Can it be Saved? (10/26/2005)
  • Multiple Threats to Michigan's Water (4/19/2005)
  • Campaign 2004: What Will Happen? (10/19/2004)
  • Future of Gambling in Michigan (4/14/2004)
  • Is the Michigan Judiciary Being Corrupted by Money & Elections? (11/20/2003)
  • Women in Power in Lansing (3/26/2003)
  • Investing in Higher Education in Michigan (11/20/2002)
  • Term Limits (4/18/2002)
  • Political Civility (4/12/2001)