CSU Monterey Bay’s College of Health Sciences and Human Services celebrates Black History Month with a lecture by former Congresswoman Donna Christensen on Feb. 24.

Dr. Christensen, the first female physician to serve in Congress, was a non-voting delegate from the Virgin Islands to the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996 to 2014.

She was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust, which oversees and advocates for minority health issues, and was instrumental in the development of the Affordable Care Act. She believes health care is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.

The American Medical Association honored her with its Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. Dr. Christensen will talk on “The Affordable Care Act: Health, Civil Rights and Job Creation.” The lecture will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. in the World Theater on Sixth Avenue between A and B streets. A reception will follow the presentation. While the event is free, visitors must buy a parking permit from a machine on the lot. The lecture is sponsored by Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Natividad Medical Center, Doctors on Duty and the Visiting Nurses Association.

What: “The Affordable Care Act, Health, Civil Rights and Job Creation,” by Dr. Donna Christensen

When: Feb. 24, 3-5 p.m.

Where: CSUMB’s World Theater, Sixth Avenue between A and B streets

Cost: Free, but a parking permit is required

Information/disability accommodations: Kaylee Rivera, 582-3736

Published Feb. 8, 2016