March 2024

In my six years serving on the Board of Doctors for America, I have had the pleasure of working alongside many of you and watching proudly as the work we have accomplished makes a genuine difference in the lives of our patients. It is truly a delight to come to you now as the Chair of the Board. 

 

As our work continues to Reclaim the Voice of Medicine, I am reminded of why I came to DFA in the first place. As a medical student, I was drawn to this community– an organization without the hierarchy I had quickly grown accustomed to within the hospital. Here, a student has the same leadership opportunities as an attending or retired physician. Not separated into different sections or branches depending on career level, all voices and ideas are respected at any degree of training. Unlike other physician organizations and societies whose advocacy efforts often include workforce and professional promotion, Doctors for America is the only advocacy organization truly dedicated exclusively to our patients and their communities, advancing the issues that impact them most greatly.

 

In 2024, DFA is in its most established period yet. Our Year End Campaign set a new DFA record with unprecedented fundraising. The creation of our Governance and Sustainability Committees built atop our strong foundation to bring even more stability and growth to our organization. Our reproductive rights advocacy has been elevated to the highest court in the country, further establishing DFA as a premiere voice in health policy. I look forward to continuing this work and pushing us even further as your Board Chair. 

 

With that in mind, I will be hosting quarterly Doctors’ Lounge listening sessions. These will be opportunities to share feedback, learn from each other, and engage with the work of our Board more directly. Our first session will be held in April. Stay tuned for further details. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Thank you for being my advocacy home and for all of the work that you do to propel DFA forward. 

 

Sincerely,

Christine Petrin, MD, MPH

Board Chair, Doctors for America Board of Directors

This 90 minute webinar will concentrate on strategies for sharing your narrative to champion gender health advocacy and other topics of interest to you. The skills gained in this session can be used for op-ed writing, letters to the editor, testimony and more. There will be a worksheet that participants will get to help craft their story along with additional resources that can be used.

As a proud member of Doctors for America, I want to encourage you to join our Sustainability Committee. The Sustainability Committee plays a crucial role in expanding our membership base, enhancing fundraising initiatives, and elevating the visibility of our organization. All of this "behind the scenes work" is so important for DFA to continue to have a lasting impact and accomplish our goals. Your involvement is not just welcomed; it's essential. Let's make a difference together!  

 

Sign up here to join our Sustainability Committee! Hope to see you at the next meeting.  

 

Best,

Bijou Basu, MD/PhD Student

Sustainability Committee Chair

DFA Board Member

Did you know that 80% of health outcomes hinge on social determinants shaped by policies at local, state, and federal levels? Voting can help us shape policies for increased access to affordable healthcare. Trusted health professionals can break this cycle by actively encouraging patients to vote. Join the thousands of incredible healthcare professionals partnered with Vot-ER making a difference in their communities!

 

 

Vot-ER badges are the fastest way to integrate civic engagement into your work. Here’s how the badges work:

By using the Vot-ER badge in your daily practice, you can help your patients prepare for each and every opportunity to advocate for their health at the ballot box!

Stay tuned for more events in March!