Dr. Louis W. Sullivan is one of those retirees who won't stay retired.

The longtime Atlanta physician and U.S. health and human services secretary in the first Bush administration continues to help raise money for the Morehouse School of Medicine, which he helped start as the founding dean and president. Now 74, he's on Grady Memorial Hospital's new board and several others — including serving as chairman of the National Health Museum. Backers of that project last month announced Atlanta's downtown Centennial Olympic Park as the site of the planned museum.

Sullivan says he remained objective during the health museum selection process but couldn't be happier his hometown wound up winning. A strong roster of medical institutions and health organizations and a thriving convention business helped seal the deal.

The museum, he says, could help turn Atlanta and the state into a national leader in life sciences, medical research and training of health professionals.

Sullivan shared his thoughts about the museum and other issues in a recent e-mail conversation with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Q: Given the economy, what strategy is being used to raise the $250 million need to make the museum a reality?

A: The National Health Museum is a long-term project, and we will adjust our fund-raising strategies as appropriate. We are confident that with the strength of the concept and the museum's mission we will obtain the funds needed.

Q: Coca-Cola is putting up $1 million to get the process started. Is there a contradiction in accepting money from a soft drink maker, or for that matter to site the museum next to another museum devoted to its products, when critics contend such drinks contribute to the nation's obesity problem?

A: Over the years, Coca-Cola has been a major supporter of programs and institutions that improve the lives of our citizens in Georgia and elsewhere. Coca-Cola recognizes the need to find ways to address obesity in our population and other health issues. We look forward to collaborating with Coca-Cola and the life-sciences community to improve the lifestyles of our citizens so as to enhance their health.

Q: Diversity in health care is another issue you've sounded the alarm on. What needs to be done, and how can the museum's existence help in that regard?

A: America is rapidly becoming a much more diverse nation, racially, ethnically and culturally. Health professionals must be able to communicate clearly and must understand and respect the culture, the customs, the beliefs and the dignity of their patients in order to earn their trust and their cooperation in the health care interchange. This is why a diverse health professions work force is so important.

The mission of the National Health Museum is to improve the health literacy of Americans. This will lead to better health habits, including improved nutrition and child health care. Over time, this will result in improved health of our population and will help restrain, or even reduce, health care costs.

The museum will have a significant impact in improving the health of everyone, with the greatest potential for improving the health of minorities.

Q: What do you consider to be the nation's top public health issue?

A: Seeing that every American has access to affordable health insurance and quality health care.

Q: Do you support Obama or McCain in November? Would you consider working for either on health issues?

A: I am not involved presently in any political campaigns. My current energies are focused on developing the National Health Museum and increasing the diversity of our health professionals — racial, ethnically and culturally — to meet the present and future needs of our country.

Q: Your experience growing up in the segregated South imbued you with almost religiouslike zeal in tackling health care issues, particularly those affecting minorities and the poor. How satisfied are you with the impact of your efforts, and do you ever expect to reach the end of your to-do list?

A: I am repaying all of those who invested in me by doing everything I can to invest in those who are coming after me. I do this willingly and with a great sense of pride when I can make a difference. I do not expect to ever reach the end of my "to-do" list.

Q: You are a healthy senior. What's your secret?

A: I practice what I preach. I sponsor a 5K walk/run on Martha's Vineyard every year, and I exercise every day. I try to have a balanced diet. I avoid excess alcohol. I do not smoke or use illicit drugs, I cooperate with my personal physician, and I obey my wife's orders. Besides, I am an optimist. I look upon each day as a new beginning and a new opportunity to learn something and to accomplish something of significance.