Anxiety Overload: Coping with the Pandemic, Public Safety and Declining Women’s Rights

Thursday, October 20, 6:30-8 p.m.
Pigott Auditorium
Register here

Dr. Vin Gupta, public health physician, professor, health policy expert; incoming Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz; and Seattle City Councilmember Sara Nelson, who has taught women's studies classes at the University of Washington, talk about managing anxiety and other difficulties in stressful times. Dr. Larry Hubbell and Joni Balter moderate the first of the Institute of Public Service “Conversations” for 2022-23.

About the panelists

Dr. Vin Gupta

Vin Gupta, MD, MSc, MPA is a practicing pulmonologist and affiliate faculty at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and Evans School.  In parallel, he is a Commissioned Officer (O-4, Major) in the United States Air Force Medical Reserve Corps, serving as the Officer-in-Charge of the Critical Care Air Transport Capability at Joint-Base Lewis McChord. Outside of his civilian and military clinical responsibilities, Dr. Gupta serves as Chief Medical Officer of New Health Initiatives at Amazon’s Lab126 and is a medical analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. He’s held prior research roles at the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Bank, focused on pandemic influenza preparedness, in addition to the Center for Global Health Engagement and Harvard Global Health Institute. Lastly, he serves as a medical advisor to several organizations, including the National Football League and Major League Baseball.

Dr. Gupta received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University, Medical Doctorate from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Masters in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Masters in International Relations from the University of Cambridge. He has active board certification in Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine and completed his clinical training at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

Chief Adrian Diaz

Chief Adrian Diaz has been a dedicated member of the Seattle Police Department for more than two decades. His work building relationships that bridge race, ethnicity and every flavor of humanity can be seen across the Department and in every neighborhood in Seattle.

Chief Diaz began his career in Patrol, the Mountain Bike Unit, and the Anti-Crime Team before joining the Investigations Bureau. He is also a Master Defensive Tactics instructor at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. He served as Assistant Chief of a newly created Collaborative Policing Bureau prior to being promoted to the Deputy Chief. Chief Diaz is now serving as the Interim Chief of Police.

Chief Diaz holds a BA in criminal justice from Central Washington University and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Washington. He has completed the Major Cities Chiefs Associations Police Executive Leadership Institute, the Cascade Executive Program and the Senior Management Institute of Policing. Chief Diaz has authored numerous national publications in community policing, misdemeanor justice and juvenile justice.

Sara Nelson, PhD

Councilmember Sara Nelson is a small business owner, former public servant, and policy nerd who watches the Seattle Channel for fun. She brings a pragmatic, collaborative approach to addressing our current challenges and improving quality of life for all Seattleites.

Originally from California, Sara moved to Seattle in 1990 to pursue a doctorate in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Washington, earning her PhD in 1997. She taught courses in anthropology, women studies, and international studies before leaving academia to have a greater impact on her community in public service.

Sara got her start in local politics as a City Council Legislative Aide in 2002 and helped pass landmark legislation to increase affordable housing, transit service, and environmental protections. She served through 2013 but left City Hall for a couple years to help launch her family business, Fremont Brewing, in 2009. Sara’s responsibilities at Fremont Brewing included leading the brewery’s sustainability efforts, community partnerships, and craft beer industry advocacy

As the first small business owner on City Council since 2009, Sara understands the difficulties of starting and growing a small business in Seattle. As Chair of the Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee, she’s focused on revitalizing our downtown core and neighborhood business districts; retaining jobs and expanding our workforce; and reducing the displacement of minority-owned small businesses.