Doctor Who Helped Expose Flint Water Crisis Speaking At MSU

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A doctor credited with bringing Flint's crisis with lead-tainted drinking water to the public's attention after state agencies initially dismissed her concerns is the speaker at Michigan State University's undergraduate commencement ceremony.

Mona Hanna-Attisha speaks Friday at the Breslin Student Events Center and will receive an honorary doctorate of science.

The Hurley Hospital pediatrician reported high levels of lead in the blood of children and pleaded with the public to stop drinking the water, which had been releasing lead from old pipes. Gov. Rick Snyder eventually acknowledged what she found and gave her full credit.

Hanna-Attisha is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine.

There are 5,414 MSU undergraduate degree candidates and 2,448 advanced degree candidates. The advanced degree ceremony also is Friday.