After introducing herself individually to the entire audience as they sat down, former Daily Pennsylvanian columnist Donna Gentile O'Donnell launched into an enthusiastic introduction of her book, Provider of Last Resort.
In the book, O'Donnell tells the story of the closure of Philadelphia General Hospital and looks to "identify the major policy decisions ... that rearranged the deck chairs for PGH."
A true Philadelphia story, the demise of the Philadelphia General Hospital was wrapped up in politics, corruption and allegations of racism.
As O'Donnell describes, PGH began life as a small hospital serving the desperately poor but soon grew into "a medical Mecca," boasting "4,000 beds and its own fire department" as well as becoming a hub for research and medical discovery.
However, tougher times soon followed.
The once venerable institution saw its end, as O'Donnell put it, with "the convergence of politics, public policy and unintended social consequences."
The rise of non-profit hospitals in the 1970s and '80s led to a decrease in necessity of the General Hospital in its service. The increasing "layers of bureaucracy" also significantly impaired the operation of the hospital.
Talking to a crowd of people much older than the average student, many of whom had some connection with the hospital, O'Donnell's words elicited regular nods of affirmation and sighs of regret.
O'Donnell closed by discussing our "civic obligation" to meet the medical needs of the indigent and the need to carry on the tradition and values of Philadelphia General Hospital, even if the institution no longer stands.
Asking for questions at the end, O'Donnell virtually strayed into a separate presentation as her well-informed audience probed for more information.
The conversation only became more confusing as O'Donnell tried to explain the layers of sometimes incomprehensible bureaucracy that caused the closure of not only PGH, but has had effects on the entire medical infrastructure in Philadelphia.
Donna Gentile O'Donnell earned her Ph.D. in the History of Applied Public Policy from Penn in 2004. While working towards her doctorate, she claimed to be "the oldest columnist to ever write for the DP."
