KINGSTON, R.I. — April 1, 1999 — URI Alumnus Howard Torman, M.D. who until recently appeared daily as the medical correspondent for CBS This Morning, CBS News, will visit the University of Rhode Island on Wednesday, April 21. He and his wife, Julie, who is a practicing physician specializing in gastroenterology, will give a talk in URI’s Great Room, Roosevelt Hall, at 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public. The Tormans’ talk, “Medicine 2000: It’s Not Your Parents’ Health Care,” is sponsored by URI’s Honors Program and the College of Arts & Science. The couple’s talk will address such topics as: • The role of women in medicine. • Alternative medicine: The good, the bad, and the ugly. • The business of medicine: Will doctors in the future drive Fords instead of Mercedes? Torman has appeared on television for the past 14 years providing medical commentary and health news. Currently, he hosts a new network television series, “Health Choices,” which will debut this spring. In addition he is producing and hosting a series on high-tech medicine and space medicine which will appear late 1999. During his four and a half years on CBS This Morning, Torman reported on a diverse range of topics including health care reform and medical research in space, as well as more routine medical problems and issues such as women’s health, men’s health, nutrition, and alternatives to conventional medicine, heartburn, and how to stay mentally sharp as you age. His unique style and performance made often complex medical topics understandable and entertaining. While at CBS, he instituted an annual nationwide viewer participation series on heart disease, “Heart Score,” in association with the American Heart Association. He also reported live from the Oklahoma City bombing as well as from the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway on health related stories. Prior to joining CBS This Morning, Torman worked from 1984 to 1993 as a health reporter and editor in California. From 1980 to 1983, he was a full-time faculty member at Harvard Medical School and a cardiovascular staff physician at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Torman has authored numerous scientific articles and research published in respected medical journals. Torman earned a B.S. from URI in 1969, an M.D. from Pennsylvania State University where he completed a residency in general and cardiac surgery. Torman did his graduate medical training residency at Stanford University Medical Center, specializing in cardiovascular radiology. URI awarded Torman an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters in 1994 for his continued commitment toward providing the public, through the media, with professional information on today’s health issues. He also was the recipient of the prestigious 1994 Jules Bergman Science Award as well as numerous other awards from various national organizations. Torman is an accomplished pilot and holds an airline transport pilot license. He began flying when he was 15, soloing at age 16. Currently, in addition to being qualified in a number of different general aviation aircraft, he also continues to fly a variety of fighter and tactical jet aircraft. His flying experience includes the F-16, F-15, T-38, and MiG-15. In 1996, Torman set two world speed records for jet aircraft. Torman is also president of Tacair Systems Ltd., a company which provides flight test services as well as being contracted to help train Air Force and Navy test pilots. Torman is a member of several prestigious national aviation organizations. For More Information: Jan Sawyer, 874-2116