Advocacy in Medicine: From Patients to Physicians
By Eleanore Kue, MD
A Lifetime of Advocacy in Medicine
For as long as I can remember, I have been a physician and an advocate. I started my career in the hospital, dedicated to providing the best care possible. However, I soon realized that I was limited in my ability to advocate for my patients within the hospital system. The constraints of bureaucracy and institutional policies often stood in the way of providing individualized, compassionate care.
Determined to make a difference, I took a bold step—I left the hospital setting and opened my own independent clinic. For 15 years, I provided medical care to the underserved, ensuring that those who needed help the most received the quality treatment they deserved. It was not just about medicine; it was about standing in the gap for my patients, fighting for them to receive adequate healthcare, and ensuring they were not overlooked by the system.
A Shift in Advocacy: From Patients to Physicians
Then, in 2019, everything changed. Ten years into my mission, I faced an unexpected shift in my advocacy. While I had spent years championing the needs of my patients, I suddenly found myself advocating for my colleagues—particularly foreign-born physicians like myself.
Statistics paint a clear and troubling picture: foreign-born physicians face significantly higher rates of prosecution compared to their U.S.-born counterparts. This systemic bias does more than just harm individual careers; it undermines the ability of dedicated physicians to provide care to vulnerable communities. When a physician is unjustly targeted, it is not just their livelihood that suffers—patients lose access to quality medical care, creating a ripple effect that deepens healthcare disparities.
The Challenge of Systemic Change
Advocating for my colleagues has proven to be an immense challenge. The biases and systemic injustices against foreign-born physicians are deeply entrenched within the medical community. Changing these attitudes requires patience, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
Despite the difficulties, I firmly believe that God has been preparing me for this assignment. Advocacy is not just about fighting a battle—it is about creating lasting change. It is about ensuring that both physicians and patients receive the respect and fairness they deserve.
Moving Forward: A Call for Justice
As I continue this journey, I invite others to join me in shedding light on the injustices within the medical system. Together, we can work toward a future where healthcare professionals are treated equitably, and patients receive the compassionate care they need.
The fight is long, but with perseverance and faith, change is possible.
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