Dr. Cooper is an internationally recognized health services researcher and medical educator at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She has developed interventions that enhance patient-physician communication, improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities. She is a 2007 recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Award. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)