New Kid on the Block Turns Ten! The Brief, Remarkable History of the National Physicians Alliance

Abstract

Founded in 2005 by General Surgeon Lydia J Vaias, MD, MPH, the National Physicians Alliance is a 501c3 public charity with a mission to create research and education programs that promote health and foster active engagement of physicians with their communities to achieve high-quality, affordable health care for all. The National Physicians Alliance offers a professional home to physicians across medical specialties who share a commitment to professional integrity and health justice. As the organization celebrates its tenth birthday, the history and scope of this mission-aligned group is described.

National Physicians Alliance logo.

Program from the October 1993 Philadelphia American Medical Student Association conference.

Meeting with lawmakers on Capital Hill, National Physicians Alliance members: (left to right) Charu Sawhney, MD; Lydia Vaias, MD, MPH; Judy Zerzan, MD; Bethany Picker, MD; Marc Dalton, MD; Rupin Thakkar, MD; Stephen R Smith, MD, MPH; Jean Silver-Isenstadt, MD, PhD; Mara Merritt, MD; and Lenny Lesser, MD.

Logo for The Unbranded Doctor campaign.