Update from the State, Lieutenant Governor Ralph S. Northam visits community

by | Oct 31, 2014 | What’s Happening

Lieutenant Governor Ralph S. Northam.

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 pm, Sandler Family Campus

The number of topics Ralph Northam can speak about when he visits the Sandler Family Campus run the gamut from the recent election, to conflicts over Medicaid expansion, to the latest neurological surgery procedures, to the joys of parenthood.

Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor, Northam is president of the Virginia Senate and is first in line to take over as Governor, should that need arise. His ability to discuss Virginia politics comes from his current position, as well as from his former role as a state Senator. Northam represented Virginia 6th district, which includes Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Mathews County on the Middle Peninsula and parts of the cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, from 2007 through 2013.

Northam’s views and priorities for the state are widely influenced by his background as a native of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, his military background, his work as a doctor, a longtime volunteer, a husband and father and Tidewater resident.

A brief synopsis of his career shows a long list of titles the 55-year-old Northam has held, and currently holds, along with Lieutenant Governor.

A graduate of Virginia Military Institute and Eastern Virginia Medical School, Northam served in the Army for eight years where he rose to the rank of Major. He treated evacuated casualties as an Army physician during Operation Desert Storm.

Since 1992, he has practiced pediatric neurology at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, is an assistant professor of neurology at EVMS, and has been the volunteer medical director of Edmarc Hospice for Children for more than 10 years.

Northam’s visit is hosted by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Business & Legal Society, the Maimonides Society and the Community Relations Council.

“As a local physician I’m looking forward to hearing what our Lieutenant Governor has to say regarding Medicaid expansion and how different outcomes might affect the uninsured,” says Maimonides Society co-chair Julius Miller, M.D.

“We, as Jews, are a community of people who help other people, and depending on the outcome, the medical industry might need to help our uninsured a bit more,” Miller says.

Hearing Northam’s insights and learning about his priorities for Virginia are intriguing for area Jewish business and legal professionals, as well as area medical professionals, says Greg Zittrain, a financial advisor with the Jones Zittrain Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch.

Zittrain, who is a member of both the CRC and the Business and Legal Society, is looking forward to the evening and encourages others to come, too. Northam’s comments will interest a great variety of people, Zittrain says.

“I have now attended several Business and Legal events, and I am increasingly finding them to be great forums to meet other Jewish professionals,” says Zittrain.

“The discussions are timely—Lieutenant Governor Northam’s visit will include an update on potential healthcare legislation changes, a topic that directly impacts our clients at Merrill Lynch.”

The event is free and open to the community. RSVP by Nov. 17 to sgolden@ujft.org or call 757-965-6124.

To learn more about this event, visit JewishVa.org/BusinessAndLegalSociety and like the Society on Facebook: FB.com/BusinessAndLegalSociety. For future programs and the missions of the Business and Legal Society, the Maimonides Society and the CRC, visit JewishVA.org.