My guest Tom Kosakowski is Health Sciences Ombuds at the University of Southern California. Tom explains how ombuds programs were initiated in the US in the late 1960’s and how they have evolved and progressed over time by serving all stakeholders. He also talks about how the changing university student profile is contributing to the adoption of these programs and why ombuds programs are needed. We also address how medical schools are unique settings for ombuds’ services and what the future of ombuds as an institution will be across the globe. As an institution, ombuds seems to be growing and has proven to have helped universities be more progressive and compassionate in the last three decades.