Doctors For America

I will follow Senator Kennedy's example of public service and will become an activist or policy maker. I will focus my energies towards achieving universal access to high quality, affordable, and cost effective health care for all Americans.

R. Scott Poppen MD,MPA
Internal Medicine

Martha Aiello, MD

As a first generation immigrant from Mexico, I have personally eperienced the difference between universal health care, and the shameful lack of access for so many in this country. Despite their limited finacial resources, my parents never had to worry about their family's ability to be healed in illness when I was growing up. Today, despite being a doctor, and my parents being Amrican citizens,I worry every day that their lack of health insurance will mean financial bankrupcy and despair. If other countries can ensure this basic human need of access to health care, why can't we? I pledge to support any efforts to make Mr. Kennedy's cause a reality.

I pledge to continue to advocate for health care reform to include care that extends as a right not a privilege to all Americans, and enactment of effective cost controls that are not sway to for-profit insurance, medical technology, health care provider, or pharmaceutical lobbyists.

Jane Mahoney, MD
Internal Medicine Physician
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Care Wisconsin, Madison, WI

I will help DFA pass meaningful health reform this year, not just in honor of Senator Kennedy, but in honor of all of those he stood up for over a lifetime of service to this country.


George P. Bahadue, D.O.

We will pass meaningful health reform this year, not just in honor of Senator Kennedy, but in honor of all of those he stood up for over a lifetime of service to this country.

Sen. Kennedy knew that doctors would support meaningful health reform. Let's prove him right.

Asaf Bitton, MD
Internal Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Haleh Rokni, MD

Health care is as much a right of citizenship as is a good education. We have both public and private schools in this country and would be outraged if private schools were are only option. Why, then, are we not outraged to have only private insurance? If schools prioritized a profit over the education of our children, what would we think? If they started telling children that they had reached their ceiling on education or could not receive education because of some pre-existing condition, would we tolerate this? We must reform our insurance industry immediately. I will continue to stay involved and talk with friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

I will continue to urge my patients and colleagues to support Health care reform to enable health care for as a right, not a privelege.

Deborah Geismar, MD
Family Medicine Associates of Lutheran General
Niles, IL

I will continue to advocate for universal health care, confronting the prejudices of many I hear on the dire consequences of such a plan. However, working in a community health center I see daily how important health care is for helping people lead healthy, happy , productive lives and how difficult and detrimental it can be when they do not have the coverage needed for their care.
And I will continue efforts to improve health care for others outside of our country.

Stephanie Prior,MD
Family Practice
Community Health Center of Cape Cod

I'll continue to advocate for accessible/affordable healthcare for all in the U.S., like they have in civilized countries.

Sharon Paltin, M.D.
Family Physician
serving a "rural need area" of N. California

I fully support universal access to health care with provision by single payor.
to accomplish this compensation reform must also occur so that more primary care physicians are available to provide the needed care and the time needed to provide that care -broadly defined-to include prevention, counseling, comfort as well as disease management--using teams of care providers when appropriate and other non face to face methods, when appropriate.

Cheryl Kovacs Warner, MD
Internal Medicine
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

I will continue to advocate before my patients and colleagues for universal health care for Americans and support equality of fracture care for citizens of the third world.

Price M Chenault, MD
Orthopedic Surgery
Grays Harbor Community Hospital

I talk to my patients and send e-mails and letter writing campaigns in order to support health care for everyone. Health care not contingent upon your job or your income.

Joy Silver M.D.
Pediatrics

I have always regarded Senator Edward M. Kennedy as the true exemplar of national efforts to reform our health care delivery system to serve all, and shall continue my long-standing personal efforts to effect meaningful reform, now in honor of his strength and courage, as well as on behalf of those we need to serve with compassion.

J. Paul Newell, M.D.
Family Physician, Public Health Physician
Retired.

Many thanks to Sen Kennedy for his unfailing leadership for health care reform. May our leaders see the light and come to an agreement soon to provide high quality, cost effective health care for all.

Anne St Goar, MD
Primary Care Internal medicine
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

I pledge to support those in Congress who will continue the valiant fight for health care for all and insurance reform spearheaded by Senator Kennedy.

Ida Hilliard, M.D., retired Psychiatrist

i pledge to work for the passage by congress of health care reform that is defined by access for all families, that is driven and reimbursed based on quality, and that is grounded with a new investment in prevention, starting with every child in our nation in all of our schools.

Stephen Barnett, MD, FAAP, FASHA, FACP
Pediatrician & Community Health Consultant

I pledge to do every thing within my power to help pass this Health Care Reform bill especially to repeal rescission and to guarantee that every American can have affordable healthcare without any consideration to pre-existing conditions. For those who lose their jobs, I want congress to assure them that they will be able to bring their healthcare that they want and have.

Patrick Acuna, MD
Emergency Medicine
Boston University

Yogeswari Devarajan, MD

As a Psychiatrist working with a population that is mostly jobless & homeless, I pledge my full support for the late Senator Kennedy's ideal of providing affordable health care for all.

I pledge to support healthcare reform whichever shape it takes. Like The Senetor, I believe in reform

Isabella B. Nyan, MD
Practice Pravite

I pledge to bring primary healthcare also to other countries of the world in annual volunteer teams to people who otherwise have no access to any medical care.

Donna L. Tully, PA-C
Family Medicine
A native of Maine, trained at Yale

I will continue to advocate for a health care system that ensures equitable access for all, and places the needs of patients before profit and commerce.

Maricela Sanchez, MD
Resident, Anesthesia
St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan

To create more equitable and accessible health care for patients with a disability in America, and internationally.

Cheri Blauwet, MD
Intern, Internal Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital

As a physician, daughter of 93 y/o parent, and mother of a handicapped child I know how important it is that we have accessible, affordable, high quality health care for EVERYONE.

Dea Angiolillo, MD
Primary Care Internal Medicine
Harvard Vanguard Medical Association

Because the best health care for each individual patient that I see and care for will only be the best if we fix this broken system and ensure that there is health care truly (this means a public health option) available to all.

Genevieve Daftary MD
Pediatric Resident
Massachusetts General Hospital

Kathleen Harris, MD

I share the passion for quality health care for all Americans. I work in Volunteers in Medicine in Hilton Head, SC where we treat uninsured people of all ages. I see the need for health care for all.

I pledge to continue to work towards improving the health care of all Americans. Access to affordable, quality medical care is not a privilege, it's a right. I pledge to continue to advocate for my patients in all walks of life, regardless of their ability to pay.

Chrissy Kistler, MD
Division of Geriatric Medicine
University of California, San Francisco

In the memory of Senator Edward Kennedy and as a physician in the United States of America, I will continue to provide direct care to the underserved and marginalized populations in this country and I will never give up the fight for health care for all.

Karen Mathewson, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
New York University School of Medicine

In honor of Senator Kennedy's lifelong efforts to improve the lives of Americans, I pledge to continue the dialogue necessary to not only provide affordable health care coverage for every American, but improve the process of health care. This improvement must include the right of a physician to practice the art and science of medicine. It must also embody the American spirit of competition to guarantee quality and efficiency.

Nadia Shah, MD
Radiology

I pledge to work for affordable health care for all americans, and in the meantime to help provide quality healthcare for those who cannot afford it.

Erin Wyner, MD
Family Medicine

I pledge to continue Senator Kennedy's lifelong fight for healthcare for every American as a right, to the best of my ability, in my home state of Oklahoma.

Katherine Scheirman MD MHA
Internal Medicine
Retired US Air Force

Nzeera Ketter, MD

To work hard to ensure that the richest country in the world can extend primary care to the uninsured and underinsured. As a person in the middle class I am willing to pay for some of this in taxes/premium increases.

I pledge to make efforts toward advancing a united physician voice in the health care reform debate, and to continue to educate family, public, and patients about our current system and the reform imperative. These efforts will continue in memory of Senator Kennedy and all who have dedicated their lives to helping others.

Joe Lockridge MD
Internal Medicine

John Brna, MD

As a physician I pledge to continue to work for accessible affordible health care for all with continued high quality for all.

1. We must have access for all:
2.I hope we have the opportunity to keep our private carriers (even if they are secondary in case of Medicare)
3. If reimbursement for primary care physicians (family practitioners, internists, pediatricians) continues to be so low and going lower, there will be NO such kind of doctor: we will have PA'd and NP's doing the primary care. They are excellent but need physicians at a higher level for oversight. In New York City where I practice, many physicians have opted out of Medicare: so this means cash only for >/=65 yr olds. And one cannot make a living with Medicare rates. We have a crisis: shortage of primary care physicians
4. hospitals are closing because they cannot stay in business treating the uninsured
5. Prescriptions medications are too expensive for most of our population
6. Focussing on an electronic medical record is not worth the time it takes to accomplish. If we cannot accomplish reasonable compensation for physicians and reasonably priced insurance for all, an electronic system is meaningless.
7. I am embarrassed at how terrible our system has become. I am not sure why young people still want to become physicians.


Jean B. Case, MD
Internal Medicine
Office based (graduate of Johns Hopkins, 1970)

I pledge to honor in memory of Ted Kennedy by continue to care for my patient and work with fellow Americans that every American should have affordable, accessible and high quality health care.

Sakeer Hussain, MBBS, MD
Hematology and Oncology
Heartland Hematology and Oncology

Jill Midthune, MD

to continue to speak up for healthcare reform that provides for everyone in this country, no matter how unpopular it makes me with my colleagues.

To continue to push my representatives in Congress to vote for meaningful health/insurance reform so that all Americans will have access to care because it is an entitlement for all Americans.

Jean Miyake, M.D.
Pathology
Retired

Senator Kennedy passionately believed in healthcare as a human right and not a privilege, and fought tirelessly for those who could not fight for themselves. I pledge to honor his memory by continuing to care for my patients, to inspire the next generation of physicians to answer the call to service, and to advocate for health reform on behalf of the millions who suffer everyday for lack of health care. The faces of my patients compel me to implore our senators, representatives and the administration to be courageous and do the right thing for the American people - pass meaningful health care reform this year. Universal coverage, including a public option, and access to high quality care should be available to all people in this great country. America cannot wait another day for this basic human right.



Gowri Anandarajah MD
Family Medicine
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island &
Alpert Medical School of Brown University

I pledge that I will continue to work with Doctors, Hospitals, public that every American should have accessible, affordable, high quality health care. No one should be denied.

Vajendra J Desai MD, FAPA
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry
Forestview Psychiatric Hospital

I will continue to persuade people to work towards universal health care that is fair to all and is of better quality. Better coordination of care is most important to improve quality.

Erawati Bawle, MDDegree
Medical Genetics
Children's Hopsital of Michigan

I will continue to talk, persuade, publicize, argue and work until all Americans have access to quality affordable health care.

Nancy Briggs, MD, MPH, FACEP
Emergency Medicine
Retired

I continue to believe that Health Care in America should be a right, not a privilege.

Cheryl Robinson, M.D.
Family Medicine
Primed Wright Dunbar

I pledge to fight for Medicare For all.

Jan D. Vandersloot, MD

I will continue to fight for universal accessible affordable portable health insurance--that is, health CARE for all through single payer insurance--as Senator Kennedy fought for Medicare

Li-hsia Wang, MD
General Pediatrician and Family Practioner, Retired

To continue to promote the stories of those impacted by our fractured health care system so that we remember why reform is necessary.

Robert Ratner, MD, MPH
Public Health
Alameda County, CA

health care for all in honor of a great person and amazing senator Ted Kennedy.

Zohra Lodin MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

I pledge to continue to do whatever it takes to reform this broken health care system, and bring high quality affordable health care to all Americans.

Sharad Kohli, MD
Family Medicine
Lifelong Medical Care

I pledge to continue to work for the complete availability of excellent health care for every person in this country. The best way to do this is to support a single payer system, which I and other physicians have supported for years, and which has been shown to promote a healthy population in so many countries in the world.


Danielle Rosenman, M.D.
Medical Counseling, Family Practice

Healthcare for every man, woman and child in America is the dream that must come true and Senator Kennedy's name will be remembered by every person who receives that care

Eva R Mauer, M.D
Pediatrics
HealthCare Partners

I will continue you battle, Senator Kennedy. I will remember your fighting spirit. And when I get weary and frustrated, the spirit of your courage and decency will sustain me. I am honored to have lived during your lifetime. May you rest in peace in the light and love of God.

Linda Burke-Galloway, MD, MS, FACOG
Boston University School of Medicine
OB-Gyn
Public Health Physician
www.smartmothersguide.com

In honor of Ted Kennedy and because it is the right thing to do, I will continue to work for health care reform in the United States. Access to good health care is a human right. I will work towards full health care coverage for all people in the US-regardless of ability to pay, race, gender, age or pre-existing condition.

CCA and Pain Center
www.yogaeast.net
www.bpaindia.org

Rajendra Trivedi,MD.
CCA and Pain center

In honor of Ted Kennedy and because it is the right thing to do, I will continue to work for health care reform in the United States. Access to good health care is a human right. I will work towards full health care coverage for all people in the US-regardless of ability to pay, race, gender, age or pre-existing condition!!!

Elizabeth Burpee MD
Internal Medicine, hospitalist
VA Medical Center, Albuquerque, NM

I pledge to Senator Kennedy that I will do all in my power to promote health and wellness for all of the USA people irregardless of their status. I will tirelessly support universal health coverage, public health care option, improved incentives to promote effective and cheap options instead of ones supported by pharma and devices industry. I will also promote most ecologically and economically sound medical care decisions in my work with patients and advocacy.

Mikhail Kogan, MD
Geriatrics, Integrative Medicine
George Washington University

I pledge to advocate for reform that provides comprehensive healthcare for my patients regardless of their socioeconomic status and comorbidities.

Nazleen Bharmal, MD, MPP
Internal Medicine
UCLA

I pledge to do everything in my power to pass health care reform.

Raphael Pristoop, MD
Internal Medicine
Kings County Hospital Center

The time is now to carry on the torch that Senator Kennedy has left for us. As a health professional, I pledge to fight for health reform that will provide high quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Norris Kamo
MD/MPP candidate
Harvard Medical School/Kennedy School of Government

I pledge to continue educating my patients in the power of knowledge and the benefits of becoming involved in the political process. My psychiatric patients tend to feel disenfranchised and I try to empower them by telling them who represents them in government at the local and state levels.

I will of course continue to make my own voice audible in the organizations such as this, which support either single payor / public option.



Susan Daly Schneider, MD
Psychiatrist
Connecticut

Anshu Guleria, MD

I pledge to work to assure that not only my patients get the best care I can give them, but also to support enactment of laws which Sen. Kennedy fought for his entire life: Passing on that access to healthcare onto the millions of Americans who are currently denied it. I further pledge that I will work so Doctors and Nurses are in charge of providing care, not Insurance companies or the government.

I pledge to continue to advocate for my future patients and demand a quality and affordable health care system that provides for all! Your legacy will carry on.

Toni Marie Ramirez, MSII
Warren Alpert Medical School
of Brown University

We must all continue to fight for health care as a human right, now with renewed vigor since the loss of such an inspirational, consistent voice. I feel as Senator Kennedy did, that this is the next civil rights battle. All people deserve high quality health care.

Lisa Plymate, MD
Internal medicine
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic

I will not stop until every person in this country has access to affordable and complete health care. Health care is a fundamental right NOT a privilege!

Carey Vaughan
MSIII
AT Still University - SOMA

I pledge to carry on the dream of Senator Kennedy and generations of Americans who have fought for the protection of all people's right to health care. I will do all I can to ensure that quality affordable health care for all is achieved, no matter how long it takes. May I live to see the day that Senator Kennedy has not.

Laura Janneck, MSIV
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

I pledge that, in Kennedy's honor, to do all I can and go the extra mile to insure REAL healthcare reform be passed ASAP in the USA, hopefully this year. I will then continue to work toward single payer, government healthcare over the next few years. I know we can do it and now we're even more inspired! Let's call it the Kennedy Healthcare Reform Act of 2009!!

Margaret F Gaines, MD
Geriatric/Internal Medicine
Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound

I will do all I can to help pass legislation for health care reform WITH the public option

Jennifer Ron, MD, FACEP
Emergency Medicine
Swedish Covenant Hospital

alejandro necochea, MD

to keep working to create a system that provides access to quality, afrodable healthcare for all!

I pledge to never stop fighting until all people have equal access to adequate healthcare regardless of socioeconomic status.

Mark Henin, B.S.
VCU School of Medicine
M3

I pledge to continue to support universal health care coverage and the closest thing to a single payer system.

Arjun Rustagi, BS
MD/PhD student
University of Washington

i will continue to work for health care reform.

janet perlan, md, mph
pediatrics
ucsf

I pledge to work toward the goal of health care as a universal right.

Beth Zeeman,MD
Emergency Medicine and HIV Medicine
MetroWest Medical Center and Boston Medical Center

To help create a fair, accessible, safe and helpful healthcare system for all.

Mark Ryan, MD
Family Medicine
Medical College of Virginia

Abigail Caplin, MD

In memory of Senator Kennedy, I pledge to dedicate myself to helping create a heathcare system that acts with integrity on behalf of all patients.

To never give up on health care as a human right and single payor as the only rational way to prevent injustice and favoritism in our system.

Scott Loeliger, MD, MS
Faculty at the Contra Costa Family Medicine Residency

I pledge to carry on for the cause of Sen. Kennedy's life: the passage of meaningful, comprehensive health reform - this year. I pledge to commit my career to the work that defined his: to ensuring the right to health for all Americans, no matter their age, class, race or gender. I pledge to secure, for my country and my future, the realization of Sen. Kennedy's dream - and to ensure that the dream will never die.

Ali Khan
M.D./M.P.P. Candidate
Harvard U./Virginia Commonwealth U.

For 25 years I have worked to provide caring pediatric care to the children of poor families from the reservation to the inner city to the Micronesians that the Kennedies helped to give a door out of the horrors our country imposed uppon them. I promise to keep working in the spirit that Senator Kennedy put forth to give these children the level of care that their wealthier classmates receive. I promise to work to educate young doctors about the importance of providing health care to all Americans. I won't let the lies about health care reform go unanswered. I will do it in honor of a man who has done so much for so many children.

Gina French, MD
Pediatrics
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children and the University of Hawaii.

I pledge to continue to work for a justice society which provides accessible quality health care for all.

Neal Devitt M.D.
Family Medicine
La Familia Medical Center
Santa Fe, NM

I pledge to continue fighting for real health care reform primarily for my patients but also to honor the memory and contributions of Mr. Kennedy.

Hal Grotke, MD
Family medicine
a rural health clinic in Eureka, CA

I pledge to email my U.S. Congressman about this issue, to talk to my friends, family, and to post in my waiting room at my office the web site for health care reform ( I work in the heart of right wing Ohio), so that is something.

Angela P. Best, M.D.
Psychiatry
Private Practice, Ohio

I pledge to continue the fight for health care reform, and to do whatever I can to ensure that everyone in this country has access to quality health care.

Marcella Hammond, M.S.T.O.M. (in progress)
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine

Teddy said: "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die"

I pledge to call, march, recruit, speak and do whatever it takes to help the cause endure and the hope live on. This dream will not die.

Joshua Allen-Dicker, MPH, MS4

I pledge to continue to pray that those who feel they "deserve" better access to quality medical care will understand that caring for all humans is our shared responsibility. Senator Kennedy understood this and his advocacy will be sorely missed. I hope we can join together to make his dreams a reality.

Kim Hutchison, M.D.

Ari VanderWalde, MD

I pledge to continue Senator Kennedy's cause

jennifer Holst, MD

I pledge to do my best to push for health care for all, as a right, not a priveledge in Senator Kennedy's memory.

I'm committed to support the work that Senator Kennedy has started. I wish Senator Kennedy would have been alive to see this happen... because it will.

Trina Cormack, MD
Psychiatric and Family Medicine

Deborah Zarek, MD

I pledge to continue to inform my patients and colleagues regarding the great need for health reform and continue to correct the false information regarding the current House bill. I appreciate everything Senator Kennedy has done for our country. He was a great man.

Alex Kaysin

To continue supporting universal health care and the single payer option for the U.S. healthcare system in whatever endeavor I choose to pursue.

Let's continue working on health care reform just as Senator Kennedy did so passionately. Senator Kennedy and all of his efforts will surely not be forgotten, and hopefully we can produce changes that will make him proud.

Michael J. Oleyar, MS4
Class of 2010
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

I pledge to re-dedicate myself to the goal of health reform. From the sad news of your loss, let us turn to your mission. May this not be the end of your legacy, but may your loss serve as a rallying cry for health reform that will impact generations of American to come.

Alex Smith, MD, MS, MPH
Palliative Medicine
University of California, San Francisco
www.GeriPal.org

Senator Ted Kennedy strongly felt that Health Care is a Right for all Americans. Lets make it a reality.

Jey Gunasegaram MD FRCS
Urology
Retired

Fidler Donald, MD

When we look at future trends, it is always important to look at the views of our youth. They determine the future. Many of my medical students at West Virginia University talk to me about the pain they see when people can not obtain adequate care and when we waste so much money and time trying to find health care for these people, but fail to do so adequately. My students talk about dreams for a single payor plan or national health care plan. They see into their future and say this is what they is necessary. I pledge to support my students and nurture them in realizing their dreams. These are dreams which we must realize.

Thanks to Ted Kennedy, the federal government has already guaranteed health care coverage for millions of American children. His relentless commitment to expanding similar programs to cover Americans of all ages should move all of us to become better advocates for high-quality health care for the sickest and most vulnerable among us. Senator Kennedy repeatedly reminded us that the smallest signs of preventable medical distress threaten the viability of the entire American health care system. Americans deserve better, and can do better by each other. I am confident that we will now unite as a nation to demand universal health care coverage and comprehensive health care reform with a force of will perhaps rivaling that of the Senator himself. It would be the best tribute to his political legacy.

Maureen Miller
New York University School of Medicine

to carry on the fight for a just and sustainable healthcare system for our country.

Dara Lee, MD
Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque

PHIL KIM, MD

We need to move forward to a public option irrespective of a divided bipartisan stronghold. There's too many without adequate coverage.

As a physician who sees his job as equal parts healer and social justice advocate, I promise to continue to work tirelessly to see the dream of Senator Kennedy through. He has been an inspiration to all of us who believe in a better America, and this legacy will live forever.

Brandon Green, DO
General Surgery
Cleveland Clinic

I will carry the torch for meaningful health care reform that fairly and equitably covers all Americans.

David Evans, M.D.
Family Physician

Sigrid Tishler, MD

To advocate for universal access to high quality, affordable and economically sustainable healthcare, independent of age and employment status.

What a role model - I pledge to keep demanding that we "do the right thing" - we need reform which means reform - not window dressing. Health reform without a public plan is not viable and will not serve the people of this country.

Tina Raine-Bennett, MD, MPH
Obstetrics and Gynecology
UCSF

I will work as hard as I can to make sure that everyone in the US has the same right to healthcare as incarcerated people: a right to health care guaranteed by law (as per the Estelle-Gamble Supreme Court case). Everyone has to have access to quality care if we are to call ourselves a civilized society. No one should profit from anyone's ill health. We need health care reform now with a public option at the very least.

Harold Appel, MD
Neurology
Prison Health Services, NYC

Adam Tenforde

To do my best to provide quality health care to all in need, regardless of economic or insurance status.

I pledge to support all those working towards establishing an equitable, universal, affordable, and high quality health care system in the United States.

Jen Thompson, MD
Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology
NY Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia

Universal access to health care for all American

Cam Tu Tran, MD
Pediatrics
San Francisco General Hospital

I pledge to continue to fight for the uninsured and carry on the torch for health care reform.

Bhargava Gannavarapu, MD
Internal Medicine
UC Irvine Medical Center

We must deliver on Senator Kennedy's mission and deliver low cost universal health care to all Americans.

David Donohue, MD FACP
Internal Medicine

I am so sad our statesman has died. I pledge to keep advocating for the great idea of America: human rights, civil equality, and opportunity for all.

Anne D. Ehrlich MD

I pledge to provide quality care to the patients in my community health center, while teaching and advocating for a healthier care system, pursuing Senator Kennedy's dream of health reform.

Kohar Jones, MD
Family Physician
Chicago Family Health Center
Assistant Clinical Professor
University of Chicago Urban Health Initiative

In honor of the greatest senator in our country's history,I pledge to continue Senator Kennedy's fight for equity, justice and quality health care for all of the citizens of the United States of America.

Myrtis Sullivan, MD
Pediatrics

I will continue to fight for the cause of affordable health care for all Americans for as long as it takes!

Moses Graubard, MD
Emergency Physician
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

I pledge to remember Senator Kennedy as a champion of healthcare for all and I share with him, his belief that healthcare is a human right. I will work towards a world where quality healthcare can be attained by all.

Jennifer Fasciano MD, MPH
Public Health

Jenny Walker, MD

I pledge to continue to pursue avenues to prosecute those who offer and accept bribes to prevent the American public from having a single, public payer Health (not medical) system. I will also continue to organize among my peers, patients, students and friends to push for such a system.

I pledge to continue to actively engage in discussions and intiatives dedicated to improving maternal and child health. I will passionately advocate for women's health on the Hill and in my daily activities as a physician, academician, and advocate. I pledge to be a voice for such vulnerable populations and work to ensure all Americans have health insurance and access to quality care.

Renaisa S. Anthony MD, MPH
Maternal and Child Health
George Washington University

Providing quality medical care to all of the patients who I can reach is my pledge to Senator Kennedy and those who love him. I will do all that is within my power to educate friends, family, and anyone who will listen about why our healthcare system is broken and the many changes that will be needed to fix it. I promise to continue nightly discussions with my husband, Erik (who is also a physician), about the shortcomings of our medical system and probe further into why we are spending more and more healthcare dollars for smaller incremental improvements in healthcare quality.

Senator Kennedy's gifts of time and love for our patients will not be forsaken. Thank you to all of his friends and family for sharing him with us for so many years.

Jessica Flynn, MD
Pediatric Sports Medicine
The Lahey Clinic

May we have an equitable and comprehensive plan that helps catapult the U.S. to the top of the world in health indicators while simultaneously containing skyrocketing costs.

Ryan Buchholz, MD
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Unity Healthcare, Inc.
Upper Cardozo Health Center
3040 14th St., NW
Washington, DC 20009

Since Senator Kennedy did not live to see this historic health care legislation pass, I pledge to work even harder to make the goal of universal access to quality care a reality. As someone who worked on John Kennedy's presidential campaign as a teenager and Barack Obama's campaign much later in my life, I continue to believe: if not us, who? if not now, when?




Judith Wofsy MD
Primary Care Internal Medicine
Highland Hospital/Alameda County Medical Center.
Oakland,Ca.

In memory of Senator Kennedy's life work, I pledge to continue to work for real health care reform now that will improve the access to care for all.

William B. Shore, MD
Family Medicine
Univ of California, San Francisco

I will continue to advocate for a fair health care system for all and one that does not extract financial penalties for those who get sick or who the insurance companies otherwise want to harm.

Alan M. Sugar, M.D.
Sandwich, MA

I pledge to continue providing all my patients high quality cost effective care. I also pledge to support efforts to provide universal health care for all Americans.

Sultan Rahaman, M.D.
Family Medicine

Human Development Index is measured by Education,Health and Economic development of a community/country:Senator Kennedy understood these pillars of society,and dedicated a lifetime to achieve these basic human rights for all Americans:I pledge to work towards these goals and help fight the war against ignorance,disease and poverty,to acheive peace and justice for all in the global community.

Naheed M Qayyum,M.D
Internist/Allergy & Asthma
Midwest Allergy &Asthma Clinic
6827 Kingery Hwy
Willowbrook,IL.60527

As a child and adolescent psychiatrist working with diverse populations across a widening socioeconomic gap, I pledge to educate all of my patients on the best science and treatment that we have available, and fight to make sure that they all receive it, regardless of on which side of that gap they sit.

Lawrence Young, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
New York, NY

I pledge to continue advocating for health care for all America. Like Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who said "My life is my Argument," we as doctors are called to devote our life to the healing arts for all of those in need or in pain.

Senator Kennedy devoted his life to bringing this important issue to the forefront of our nation's consciousness and we are grateful beyond words for his commitment and vision

Lisa M. Wong, M.D.
Pediatrician and violinist
Longwood Symphony Orchestra
Boston, MA

Soyun Kim, MD

I pledge to renew my efforts daily to build a just healthcare system where people begin to see health as a human right rather than a profit opportunity.

To continue to work for the availability of universal health care across the globe.

Marie Johantgen MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Group Health Cooperative

I shall continue to work to see a single payer health care system created in this country, so that individuals of all ages and walks of life will have access to the best and most economical health care.

Peter V. Tishler, M. D.
Internal Medicine/Genetics
Brigham & Women's Hospital &
Harvard Medical School

I will continue to try to ensure that all people have access to qualtiy health care.

W. Suzanne Eidson-Ton, MD, MS
Family and Community Medicine
University of California, Davis

I pledge to continue to raise the consciousness of people with priviledge regarding a restructuring of health care in American so that an awareness of the those who have and have not can be elevated to include coverage regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation and age.

Andrea Weiss, MPAS, PA-C
Department of Medicine
University of New Mexico Hospital

I pledge to provide the best possible care to all patients regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, and INSURANCE status, and I pledge to continue to strive to health care for all so that insurance status is not ever a question

Joseph Oliver
MD Candidate Class 2010
UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Daniel Sabath, MD

I will work to discover the best possible ways to use our limited health care resources to maximize the health of all citizens of this country.

Tiffany Powell, MD

I pledge to work for affordable, sustainable health care for all my patients, particularly those who have lost their voice due to illness, just as Senator Kennedy worked for all Americans who are marginalized. I deeply regret your family's and our country's loss.

Senator, your loss is beyond words, but we will not drop the torch, and we will carry on the struggle for the people who do not get to speak for themselves. We will do our best to represent the people who are truly in need, and to continue the struggle until we get things right in this country - health care is a right, not a privilege, and we will make sure that this becomes not only law, but also truth. With thanks and appreciation for your inspiring efforts amidst good humor and great personal strength,

Lydia C. Siegel, MD, MPH
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, MA 02115

Senator Kennedy exhibited a unique quality in today's leadership. Some call it idealism. Some call it liberalism. I call it Love. He loved the legislative process. He loved his country. He loved the American people - all of us. I pledge to return that love and, in his memory, NEVER stop until our common dream of health care for all is achieved.

Casey KirkHart, DO
Family Medicine
Los Angeles, CA

I pledge to never stop in my personal quest for health insurance and access to health care for all Americans. My son was diagnosed with leukemia when we were uninsured. He was cured, but the financial stresses were unbelievable. Later, I went to medical school. Every day I work I see people coming into the Emergency Department who are near death all because they had problems with health care access. Most of the problems would have been prevented had they had insurance. I will remember Ted Kennedy and carry on his fight for it is my fight as well!



Margaret Ferriter Campbell, MD CMD
Board Certified in Internal Medicine
Hospitalist at Morehead Memorial Hospital in Eden, NC (starting Sept 14th, 2009).

I pledge to work every day with blog posts, letters to the editors of newspapers, and speak with my neighbors and patients about our moral imperative to pass health insurance reform.

Christopher Lillis, MD

I pledge to keep up the fight for universal health care coverage until a bill that grants health care as a right to all Americans is signed into law.

Jonathan Slaughter, MD
Pediatrics/Neonatology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

I will do my best to fight for a health care system that serves all Americans and controls the skyrocketing costs of health care that threaten the finances of our families and our Nation.

Anand Narayan, MHS
MD/PhD Candidate
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Justin Chatten-Brown, MD

To support the push for universal health care and health equality.

To continue to work towards policy that reflects that healthcare is a right and not a privilege.

Charu Sawhney, DO, MPH
Internal Medicine - General Preventive Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch

Kennedy's belief that we all deserved the right to health care is core to what I believe in and hope to provide as a physician. We are a nation with vast richness, but also tremendous poverty. The gulf between the haves and have-nots continues to grow daily. We owe it to Kennedy and all Americans to fufill this pledge.

Ingrid Katz, MD, MHSc
Infectious Diseases and Global Women's Health
Brigham and Women's Hospital

To continue to support in any way I can the right to healthcare that every human deserves.

Susan Palasis, MD
Pediatric Neuroradiology
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

I will do my best to fight for Ted Kennedy's dream of basic health care for all. There is no better way to honor this great man.

Jocelyn Chapman, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of California San Francisco

To continue to work for universal health care and the elimination of health disparities.

Adrienne Allen, MD
Internal Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hosptial

AMI RUGHANI

I pledge to do my part in advocating and fighting for my future patients NOW and fighting for a robust public health option to be passed in 2009!

To continue to fight for the health of all Americans. And to aspire to a society where we care for each other and promote health and wellness as much as we protect and comfort those with illness.

Peter Klatsky, MD, MPH
Reproductive Medicine and Women's Health
Women & infants Hospital & Alpert Medical School of Brown University

I am opening a family practice clinic in rural Virginia in January, 2010. I pledge to give the best care I possibly can to ALL of my patients, and try to continue to work for health care reform.

Susan R. Griffin, MD
Family Practice
Forest Family Care, Wytheville, VA

to continue his hard work at trying to provide more and better healthcare to those who are lacking.

Kate Koplan, MD, MPH
Internal Medicine
Atrius Health

I pledge to work every single day fighting for a health system that will provide affordable, high quality care to every American. I will keep working to make sure that the voices of physicians -- the physicians who experience our broken system every day and who, like Senator Kennedy, are fighting for reform -- are heard by the public. I pledge to do this for my patients, for my colleages, for my family, and for my country.

Nikhil Wagle, MD
Oncology
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston

I pledge to committ my career to working towards high quality, open access to the best health care available for all Americans. In Senator Kennedy's spirit, I will committ my heart and mind to working toward a more just society.

Zaneb K Beams, MD FAAP
Pediatrics

Mandy Krauthamer, MD

As an internist and Executive Director of Doctors for America, I know that we must carry on Senator Kennedy's work and pass health reform this year. Our patients need access to high quality affordable care...they have already waited too long. I pledge to carry on the work of Senator Kennedy and see that we pass health reform this year. I pledge to work with my colleagues at Doctors for America to make sure that the voice of physicians is heard in this debate. Together we will support health reform by writing letters, calling Congress, talking to out colleagues and patients, and being leaders in our communities. I do this for my family, my patients, my community and my country.

I pledge to work every day until meaningful health care reform is passed to help organize physicians to advocate for reform.

Alex Blum, MD
Pediatrician
Mt Sinai, New York