For almost 20 years, Kathryn Serkes has been on the frontlines fighting for freedom in medicine.

For 17 years, she represented the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, directing policy and communications.  At AAPS, she developed and produced the “THRIVE, Not Just Survive” independent practice workshops to help doctors develop patient-centered practices, which continue today.    She established the “Take Back Medicine” project, and in 2009, organized “Physicians, Stand Together” – the first national doctors’ rally at the U.S. capitol.

During that time, she witnessed how partisan politics pitted patients against doctors, and vice versa, instead of encouraging people to work together for solutions to increase access to good medical care.

“About 5 years ago I realized that the politicians and the special interests were trying to work us against each other so that they could scare us into thinking that there will always be winners and losers in the healthcare system.  But I decided we needed to beat them at their own game – that medical professionals and patients should be banding together to fight off everyone else who wants to control medicine and restrict our freedoms. That way we can all win.

“And Dr. Mark Schiller and I knew that doctors were extremely frustrated with organized medicine, such as the AMA.”

And so Doctor Patient Medical Association was born.

“We are the first national association bringing medical professionals AND patients together in one organization to fight for freedom in medicine.  And we thought it was key to include open the organization to all medical professionals – not just physicians. 

“We help patients by giving them practical information on how to get the most bang for their healthcare buck, and we give them the tools to do it – like discounts on prescriptions and laboratory tests.  We teach them how to become empowered patients so they have as much control over their care as possible – no matter what happens with the politicians.

“For medical professionals, we represent their voice in Washington and state legislatures while we help them keep their practices as independent and patient-centered as possible.

“But what may be even more important is that we are opening the doors of communications between patients and medical professionals. 

“We’re helping patients understand the frustration and obstacles medical professional face as they struggle to put the patients first even in the face of mounting third-party control and outside cost-cutting pressures from both the government and insurance companies.

“And we help the doctors understand how complex and intimidating even the simplest healthcare has become for patients, and why they need personal, individualized care now more than ever.

“We are creating a coalition that will be instrumental in changing medical care in the U.S.  Our members are walking the walk, not just talking the talk about solving the problems.  Professionals and patients working together will find ways to bring affordable medical to people instead of fighting each other over laws, and plans, and politics.”