June 2026

June is a powerful reminder that health and humanity are inseparable. Throughout the month, we recognize a wide range of awareness campaigns and heritage celebrations, from Pride Month and Juneteenth to Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, Men’s Health Month, and immigrant and refugee awareness initiatives. Together, these observances challenge us not only to celebrate the diversity of our communities, but also to confront the inequities that continue to shape health outcomes across the country.

 

As physicians, you care for patients across racial, socioeconomic, gender, geographic, and political spectra. You are uniquely positioned to witness how policies impact real people and real lives, whether it is access to preventive care, affordable medications, mental health services, reproductive care, or basic dignity within the health care system. Because of that, physicians can powerfully give voice to the diverse perspectives, stories, and needs that proposed policies are meant to address.

 

Advocacy is not separate from medicine; it is an essential extension of patient care. Every day, you see the consequences of systems that fail patients, but you also see the possibility for change. When physicians speak out, in legislatures, communities, the media, and alongside patients themselves, you help shape policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and equity. At its core, medical professionalism calls on doctors to care for all patients fairly and equitably, and to use your voices to protect the health and dignity of the communities you serve.

 

There is still time to join us in DC for our National Leadership Conference!

Make Good Trouble from June 5 - 8, 2026 - click here for more information.

 

Tierney brings a strong background in membership engagement, donor stewardship, and mission-driven communications. Tierney supported the Girl Scouts - Nation’s Capital, where she managed member communications, maintained volunteer and membership databases, and developed strategies to deepen engagement. Her work combines a detail-oriented approach to operations with a genuine commitment to relationship building.

As we gather for the DFA National Leadership Conference, we invite you to join the conversation on Roon, a free physician-only platform where doctors connect, discuss ideas, and share insights with colleagues across specialties.

Throughout the meeting, the DFA team and conference attendees will be posting key takeaways, session highlights, and reflections in the dedicated DFA space on Roon. Whether you're attending in person or following remotely, it's a great way to stay connected to the discussions happening throughout the conference.

We hope you'll follow along, share your perspectives, and connect with fellow DFA members.

See you on Roon!

Ready to grow as a physician advocate and leader? Doctors for America’s Copello Fellowship is a dynamic opportunity to build the skills, confidence, and community needed to create meaningful change for your patients and your community.

 

This year, 16 exceptional fellows will come together each month to learn from experts, and from one another, through interactive sessions focused on advocacy, action planning, media relations, strategic communications, legislative engagement, and more.

 

The fellowship is open to medical students, residents, practicing physicians, and retirees. No prior advocacy experience is required, just a commitment to learning, leading, and making a difference.

 

Fellows are expected to:

Estimated time commitment: 1–2 hours per week

 

If you’re ready to turn your passion into action, we’d love to hear from you. For more information, please contact Angie Bakke or apply below. Applications are due June 22, 2026.

Join the Access to Affordable Care team on Tuesday, June 2, at 8 pm ET! We are fighting against cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA that put millions at risk.

Join the Community Health & Prevention Subcommittees to work on issues of substance use disorders, gun violence prevention, and public health on June 15, at 8 pm ET! 

Join the FDA Task Force on Tuesday,  June 16, at 8 pm ET! Learn more about how to advocate for safe and effective medical product approvals.

Join the Health Justice & Equity Subcommittees to work on issues of gender-affirming care, reproductive rights, and immigrant health justice on June 28, at 8 pm ET!

Join fellow healthcare leaders on June 25th at 8 pm ET for an insightful Advocacy Grand Rounds session on how physicians are moving beyond the exam room to reshape the landscape of firearm injury prevention. This discussion will bridge the gap between clinical practice and community advocacy, providing specific, evidence-based strategies for navigating safety conversations across different age groups.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") implemented a near-total ban on abortion care, prohibiting abortions even when the pregnancy poses a serious health risk or is the result of rape or incest, and prohibiting abortion counseling in all circumstances. Democracy Forward is interested in learning about the impact of this rule on providers, both providers at VA and those who see veterans in the community. If you or anyone you know has been impacted or are are concerned about being impacted by this new policy (either the ban on provision of abortions or the ban on counseling) and would be willing to speak with us confidentially, please reach out to Carrie Flaxman (cflaxman@democracyforward.org) and Kaitlyn Golden (kgolden@democracyforward.org).