Nancy Freeborne-Brinton ’83 Shares Podium with First Lady

When First Lady Michelle Obama announced new preventive care provisions made possible through the Affordable Health Care Act at a press conference held July 14 at George Washington University, Nancy Freeborne-Brinton ’83 also spoke.

Michelle Obama (center) and Nancy Freeborne-Brinton '83 (right of podium) at July 14 health care press conference. Credit: William Atkins/GWU

Mrs. Obama, joined by Jill Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, stressed that preventive care is key to a healthier America in her presentation to GW’s Medical Faculty Associates.

In brief remarks, Freeborne-Brinton drew upon her 25 years as a physician assistant at George Washington. She stressed the importance of preventive care and the hurtles, especially financial, that patients face in getting it. “Often their choice is preventive care or their groceries or a Metro card,” she was quoted in a George Washington University press release.

Freeborne-Brinton, who holds a doctorate in public health, is an assistant professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. She has also had a long affiliation with George Washington University in various capacities and currently works one day a week at the Student Health clinic.

“I am good friends with Nancy-Ann DeParle, the head of the White House Office of Health Reform,” says Freeborne-Brinton. “When she learned on Monday that she needed a clinical person to be at the press conference, she called on me.”

Freeborne-Brinton had the opportunity to speak briefly to Mrs. Obama and Secretary Sebelilus. She and Biden both teach undergraduate students. “Dr. Biden teaches at a community college down the road from my university,” says Freeborne-Brinton, “we spoke about how to mentor undergraduates.”

A biology graduate, Freeborne-Brinton, of Fairfax, Va., is looking forward to the upcoming academic year. Her son, Sam Brinton ‘14, is a Marquis Scholar in the Class of 2014. He plans to study civil engineering and run on the cross country and track teams.

Sebelius and Obama outlined new preventive care provisions made possible through the health care act and highlighted a $15 billion prevention and public health fund stipulated by the new law.