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MSDC Member Spotlight Series
The Medical Society of DC Launches "Your Care is At Our Core" Advocacy Campaign
Washington, DC; August 20, 2025 – The Medical Society of DC is proud to launch the Your Care is At Our Core Campaign in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA) to strengthen the bond between patients and their physicians, the foundation of health care.
Over the past few years, physicians have faced growing challenges ignited by battles over the COVID-19 pandemic, science and evidence-based care, and the prevalence of mis- and disinformation. These factors have distracted from what matters most – the connection between America’s physicians and their patients.
“Physicians are called to medicine to heal, to serve, and to advocate for their patients,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. “Yet increasingly, the bureaucratic red tape of health care is taking physicians away from their patients. Ensuring physicians have the time to give both personal and physical attention to those that they treat is essential for building a stronger health care system – one that supports our current and future physicians, empowers our patients, and bolsters the health of our communities.”
The data speak for themselves – 89% of patients agree that the doctor-patient relationship is central to health care, and 79% of patients agree that red tape bureaucracy makes it harder for physicians to provide the best care to patients.
Unfortunately, decisions made by third parties like insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, hospitals, and others in health care are dramatically limiting the time physicians can spend with their patients – and the treatments physicians can provide to heal and bring comfort to their patients. Health care can be an especially vulnerable space for patients, and establishing a meaningful patient-physician relationship is necessary to build trust and provide the most effective care and treatment.
“The physician-patient relationship is not a cliché, it is the driving force in medicine,” said MSDC President Dr. Dock Winston. “Doctors’ best moments are when we spend time with our patients, facing health challenges and supporting them on their journey back to good health. Fighting health insurers and the government to ensure our patients can access the care they need stands in the way of this good medicine."
Physicians are fighting alongside their patients for less bureaucracy and more time. We will continue to amplify these efforts through the Your Care is At Our Core campaign.
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About MSDC
With more than 3,000 members, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the largest medical organization representing physicians in the District of Columbia. The Medical Society was founded in 1817, and it is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of physicians and their patients in metropolitan Washington. MSDC is continually seeking to guarantee access to appropriate medical care for all District residents, regardless of location or income.
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physician’s powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
Public Health News
The Medical Society of DC Launches "Your Care is At Our Core" Advocacy Campaign
Washington, DC; August 20, 2025 – The Medical Society of DC is proud to launch the Your Care is At Our Core Campaign in partnership with the American Medical Association (AMA) to strengthen the bond between patients and their physicians, the foundation of health care.
Over the past few years, physicians have faced growing challenges ignited by battles over the COVID-19 pandemic, science and evidence-based care, and the prevalence of mis- and disinformation. These factors have distracted from what matters most – the connection between America’s physicians and their patients.
“Physicians are called to medicine to heal, to serve, and to advocate for their patients,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. “Yet increasingly, the bureaucratic red tape of health care is taking physicians away from their patients. Ensuring physicians have the time to give both personal and physical attention to those that they treat is essential for building a stronger health care system – one that supports our current and future physicians, empowers our patients, and bolsters the health of our communities.”
The data speak for themselves – 89% of patients agree that the doctor-patient relationship is central to health care, and 79% of patients agree that red tape bureaucracy makes it harder for physicians to provide the best care to patients.
Unfortunately, decisions made by third parties like insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, hospitals, and others in health care are dramatically limiting the time physicians can spend with their patients – and the treatments physicians can provide to heal and bring comfort to their patients. Health care can be an especially vulnerable space for patients, and establishing a meaningful patient-physician relationship is necessary to build trust and provide the most effective care and treatment.
“The physician-patient relationship is not a cliché, it is the driving force in medicine,” said MSDC President Dr. Dock Winston. “Doctors’ best moments are when we spend time with our patients, facing health challenges and supporting them on their journey back to good health. Fighting health insurers and the government to ensure our patients can access the care they need stands in the way of this good medicine."
Physicians are fighting alongside their patients for less bureaucracy and more time. We will continue to amplify these efforts through the Your Care is At Our Core campaign.
###
About MSDC
With more than 3,000 members, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the largest medical organization representing physicians in the District of Columbia. The Medical Society was founded in 1817, and it is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of physicians and their patients in metropolitan Washington. MSDC is continually seeking to guarantee access to appropriate medical care for all District residents, regardless of location or income.
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physician’s powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.