On Monday, October 24, 2005, in collaboration with UM's Council for Disability Concerns and in recognition of "Investing in Abilities Week," former US Representative Tony Coelho was the featured speaker at HSSP's core course, "Perspectives on Health and Health Care."

Tony Coelho earned his BA in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1977, and served as House Majority Whip from 1987 to 1989.  While in the House, Mr. Coelho, who has epilepsy, authored the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), widely recognized as the most important piece of civil rights legislation in the last 40 years.

In 1993 he was appointed a member of the Presidential Commission on the Roles and Capabilities of the United States Intelligence Community, and he served as Chairman of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities from 1994 to 2001. In 1998 he was appointed Vice Chair to the National Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities and as Co-Chair to the U.S. Census Monitoring Board.  He is currently Chair of the Epilepsy Foundation of America and Chair of the Advisory Board for Bender Consulting Services (which places people with disabilities in highly skilled jobs), and continues to work as an advocate for people with disabilities.

On Thursday, March 25, 2004, through the generous support of the Anshutz Fund and in conjunction with the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program, HSSP hosted CNN Health Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Approximately 50 UM students from across campus heard Dr. Gupta describe his career as an undergraduate and Medical Student at UM and his years as a Neurosurgeon, White House Fellow, War Correspondent, and internationally-known Columnist.