Stephen Gleason
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| Born | 1946 |
|---|---|
| Died | March 25, 2006 Des Moines, IA |
| Occupation | Osteopathic Physician, Advisor to President Clinton, Chief of Staff to Governor Tom Vilsack |
| Religious belief | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse | Lisa Gleason |
Dr. Stephen Gleason earned his D.O. from what is now Des Moines University medical school where he was the valedictorian of his class. He took a job with Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. Gleason also served as a health-care adviser to President Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and he worked for The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack chose him to run the Iowa Department of Public Health in 1999. In 2002, Gleason was named chief of staff, which is the top administrative post in state government. Gleason held that job until 2005, when he resigned to pursue a career in Medical Consulting at Health Policy Strategies in Milwaukee, WI.[1]
Gleason was a humanitarian, dedicating significant time to foreign disaster missions in Ethiopia and El Salvador. He is also a member of the Iowa Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame.
Gleason battled Crohn's disease and became addicted to the painkillers prescribed as a part of his treatment in the late 1970s. In response to his addiction he founded a new addiction-treatment program through Mercy Medical Center to help others suffering the same fate. He held himself out as evidence that addiction can happen to anyone. Gleason remained sober for more than 20 years before relapsing in 2005.
President Clinton, Governor Vilsack and Senator Tom Harkin spoke at Gleason's funeral on March 30th, 2006 at St. Augustin's Catholic Church in Des Moines, IA. In his tribute to Gleason, President Clinton stated: "I know one thing - Steve Gleason was a good man, a great man, and the world is a better place because he lived."
