IOM Professor Speaks at Warner Series Warner Series Lecture Feature's IOM Report Editor, Professor Richard J. Bonnie In September, University of Virginia Professor Richard J. Bonnie was the distinguished guest speaker at the latest Warner Series Lecture hosted by the American Legacy Foundation® titled "An Insider's Guide to the Institute of Medicine Report: A Conversation with Professor Richard Bonnie." An expert in many fields, including public health and bioethics, Bonnie briefed the audience on the landmark report issued by the Institute of Medicine in May — Ending the Tobacco Epidemic: A Blueprint for the Nation. Several years ago, Legacy approached the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to conduct a major study of tobacco control policy in the United States amidst concerns over the decline in tobacco control and public attention. The IOM then appointed a 14-member committee, of which Bonnie was the chair, and charged it with exploring the benefits to society of comprehensively implementing tobacco control interventions and policies and developing a blueprint for the nation in the struggle to reduce tobacco use. The report called attention to the tobacco epidemic and made 42 specific recommendations that were presented to Congress. One of the main points Bonnie reiterated was that, were the recommendations to be implemented effectively, U.S. smoking rates could be cut by 10 percent by the year 2025. Professor Bonnie was elected to the IOM in 1991 and, in addition to chairing the IOM committee on reducing tobacco use, he serves on an expansive list of the organization's other committees. In 2002, he was awarded the Yarmolinsky Medal for his extraordinary service to the IOM and the National Academies.