Passionate Advocate
For Patients & Physicians
- Champion for physician empowerment
- Seeks elimination of unnecessary regulatory requirements
- Leader who challenges insurer and hospital mega mergers
- Published endorsement by the American Society of Clinical Oncology: “A nationally recognized leader in promoting high-quality, high-value cancer care… A committed and experienced advocate”
- Promotes the importance of physicians being in charge – whether private, academic, or hospital employment, well illustrated as first author on recent publication on Advanced Payment Models:
Making Sense of Advanced Payment Models
“We work in a system that too often benefits hospitals, health plans, pharma and device companies, at the expense of physicians and patients. Physicians are frustrated when their concerns go unanswered. Physicians who actually treat patients should design the systems of health care.”
Advocating for Patients and Physicians by Aligning Clinical Redesign and Reforming Payment Models, Brookings Institution, July 9, 2014
Quality Talk 2016 at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) In Washington D.C., October 24, 2016, on the Innovation Center Grant for the COME HOME program, the lack of useful quality measures for innovative practices, and the consequences of the ongoing loss of independent practices for our healthcare system.
Nationally Recognized Innovator
- Helped develop new AMA policy as Chair and member of the Council on Medical Service
- Created the Community Oncology Medical Home (COME HOME) Model
- Founded New Mexico Cancer Center Foundation that assists patients with non-medical needs
- Founder and organizer of multi-practice groups, Oncology Circle and National Cancer Care Alliance, to share best practices and cutting-edge clinical research
“When physicians are given the resources we need, we can create innovative improvements in the health care delivery system, just as we have made great strides in improving the care that we give.”
Business Leader
- Recognized leader in innovative and successful business practices
“Transforming health care is like having one foot in each of two boats…”
Invited Speaker, The Business of Cancer at The Policy, Politics and Law of Cancer, presented by The Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy at Yale Law School on February 18, 2018, in collaboration with Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.
Testimony before House Committee on Energy and Commerce, April 19, 2016, on behalf of the American Medical Association, on the impact of MACRA and MIPS
Leader and Expert Communicator
- Testified 3 times before Congress on issues of vital importance to physicians (see video at the right)
- Nationally sought-after speaker on innovative practice design and unraveling the complex health care delivery system
- Speaker on behalf of the AMA
- Provided detailed updates to physicians and HOD on Medicare regulatory issues while on the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council to CMS
- “TED” talks for the Brookings Institution and NCQA (see the two videos on the right, above)
“Our AMA has crafted excellent policy over the years that can improve the care of patients and allow physicians to make our system better. It’s our job to ensure that this message is widely and effectively communicated.”