School of Public Affairs interim Dean Alison Jacknowitz engaged in an insightful conversation with SPA alumnus Gary Jacobs, exploring the ideas and stories behind his new book, “The Zen Lobbyist: A Mindful Approach to Transforming Healthcare,” on Oct. 13.
The discussion centered on Jacobs’ career journey, highlighting his educational background, transition into healthcare lobbying and his advocacy for a comprehensive healthcare model. The book is divided into two parts: one focusing on his lobbying career and the other on healthcare reform.
Jacobs started college at Ohio University, transferring to Boston University after the Kent State shooting in 1970. After that, he completed a master’s in public administration with a concentration in urban affairs at American University.
At American University, Jacobs secured his first internship, which evolved into a full-time position after graduation, ultimately leading to a subsequent job in Florida. He started several healthcare businesses in the Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Palm Beach areas. Jacobs described the University’s role in shaping his career and introducing him to the lobbying power structure in D.C.
“Lobbyists are essential to the process in Washington,” he said. “They play a key role in educating legislators in day-to-day business of decision making, including examining healthcare ramification for people’s lives.”
The concept of a "zen lobbyist" involves practicing compassion, stillness and gratitude in daily life, according to Jacobs. In terms of lobbying, Jacobs said these qualities help enhance influence, manage chaos and foster authentic interactions.
"I think people come here with the right attitude to make change in the world,” Jacobs said. “You may not agree with them, but I love the idea of going in and helping them work through an issue so they can make a proper vote."
Jacobs discussed the passage of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which he said required many difficult votes by lawmakers, especially Democrats. It was a major effort to bring systemic change to the healthcare system and reform how providers are paid.
“Our health system focuses on the wrong metrics,” he said. “This transactional care misses the bigger picture, as it’s more about fixing issues than promoting overall health.”
Jacobs’ envisioned and ideal healthcare model is based on a long-term, relationship-centered approach led by primary care, moving away from a transactional model.
In Jacobs’ view, a team of providers, including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, personal trainers and transportation services, would coordinate care to promote wellness and prevent unnecessary specialist visits.
"The primary care team is no longer paid per encounter or per transaction. They're paid a monthly fee based on your current health status, and that determines the level of reimbursement," Jacobs said.
For the last half of the discussion, Jacobs reflected on his stress and anxiety from being an entrepreneur. “I couldn't even drive my car to my office,” he said. “I shut the door, and I didn't want to see or talk to anybody, and that's so not me.”
Jacobs also shared how techniques like yoga, biofeedback and mantra meditation significantly helped him cope with stress. He mentioned that these practices enabled him to find a sense of calm and transform his personality from being tense and easily reactive to being more relaxed and self-assured.
He then guided the audience through a deep, mindful breathing exercise by asking them to close their eyes and focus on their breath. Jacobs instructed everyone to breathe from the diaphragm, inhaling slowly for four counts, holding briefly, then exhaling gently. He also encouraged awareness of body tension, starting with pressing toes into the floor, relaxing shoulders, and releasing tension in the arms and neck, with the intention of fostering calmness and centeredness.
“These breathing and mindfulness practices can be used anytime — during stressful work or personal challenges — to promote calmness and clarity,” Jacobs said.
The talk also included a question-and-answer session. One question was about the University’s health services, to which Jacobs expressed appreciation for its resources and well-being support, including the Student Health Center, the Center for Well-Being and meditation programs at Kay Spiritual Life Center.
Jacobs underscored the importance of accessible, relationship-based primary care for students' overall health but also highlighted the need for systemic redesign.
“While models like direct primary care work well for some, they are not affordable for everyone,” he said.
Given current trends like privatization and health savings accounts, Jacobs emphasized that integrating holistic health services — such as meditation and wellness programs — into primary care is important, but there are challenges related to politics and systemic issues that need to be addressed.
He said promising models like direct primary care and accountable care organizations are already making an impact, including Medicare Advantage plans.
However, to truly improve care, Jacobs said we need more primary care doctors, along with innovative approaches that better utilize nurse practitioners, physician assistants and artificial intelligence to increase access and quality.
The event concluded with a raffle for copies of Jacobs’ book.
Jacobs ended the conversation with advice for the audience.
“When you package stillness with compassion and gratitude, and you come from a place of love, good things are bound to happen in your life,” he said.
This article was edited by Sydney Hemmer, Jessica Ackerman and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting, Arin Burrell, Paige Caron, Andrew Kummeth, Ryan Sieve and Ariana Kavoossi.
