By Mona P. Kathuria, D.O., FAAHPM

“We’re going to have to make some changes in our health care staffing.”

When I first heard this as a practicing physician and medical director, it made me pause. Was this conversation about health care or was this about a technology position? I naively thought as physicians, the medical profession was somehow immune to these kinds of conversations. Unfortunately, as we navigate a changing health care environment with political, regulatory, and technological transformations, change has become the only constant these days.

Physicians are navigating and adapting at a pace that was unheard of in the past. It wasn’t that long ago that doctors were writing prescriptions and orders on paper and adapting to electronic medical records. Now with Artificial Intelligence as the next cornerstone of innovation and new policy changes regarding vaccines, medical research, declining hospital and physician reimbursement, Medicaid cuts, and Veterans Affairs staff downsizing, physicians must again change and adapt. Unfortunately, all too often, these kinds of changes are happening to us rather than by us. It can at times feel daunting what lies ahead for our field.

Reflecting on my journey as I approach 20 years in medical practice, working as a Hospitalist to transitioning into private practice and furthering my education in palliative care, I have witnessed the evolving landscape of medicine. With these experiences, I am eager to advocate for the physician's voice in shaping the future of healthcare.

In such times, it is crucial that physicians remain at the forefront of health care decision-making processes. Our collective voice is essential in maintaining the core values of compassion, expertise, and meaningful human connection that define our profession. While many of us may differ in our views, we have several common aims as physicians and are all navigating this together. We are also a resilient group, with a focus on improving care for our patients that drives us. By coming together, we can restore the spirit and values that inspired us to pursue medicine.

As we face these changes, it’s essential we collectively support physician representation, better reimbursement, access for underserved populations, and physician wellbeing.

1. Strengthening Physician Advocacy and Representation: Get involved in KCMS and other physician organizations. Work towards enhancing the representation of physicians in healthcare policy-making and decision-making processes. Advocate for the inclusion of physicians' voices in legislative discussions, healthcare reforms, and policy development. Establish a robust advocacy network that empowers physicians to actively participate in shaping the future of healthcare.

2. Improving Reimbursement: Lobby for policies that allow for better reimbursement rates from insurances and the government both locally and nationally. Promote legislation to support fair practices for the care that is being provided.

3. Improving Access to Rural, Underserved, & Vulnerable Populations: Champion funding and access to care for those that are underserved, vulnerable, and living in rural areas—including leveraging technology and telehealth with educational outreach efforts.

4. Enhancing Physician Well-Being and Support: Advocate for the implementation of comprehensive programs tailored specifically for physicians. This includes access to confidential counseling services, stress management workshops, and peer support groups. Emphasize the importance of mental health in maintaining high-quality patient care and reducing burnout among healthcare professionals.

I urge each of you to take small, meaningful steps towards making a positive impact on our healthcare community. Whether it's joining a healthcare organization like KCMS, communicating your views with your congressional representative, or simply voting—every action counts.

These small steps collectively can grow into a powerful movement. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that we, as physicians, lead the way in advocating for our patients, our profession, and the future of medicine.

Funded by Pfizer and Genmab

KCMS is proud to announce the release of our new Prior Authorization Toolkit, designed to help physicians and care teams navigate the increasingly complex process of securing timely access to treatment—particularly for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.

This practical, clinician-informed resource includes:

This toolkit is part of our broader effort to streamline care delivery, reduce administrative burden, and promote equitable treatment access. It was developed with the support of Pfizer and Genmab, whose funding has helped KCMS advance physician education and quality improvement initiatives across the region.

➡️ Download the toolkit or explore the key components HERE
Let us know how you’re using it—we welcome feedback from practices of all sizes info@kcmsociety.org

Nicole is a rising second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Before entering medical school, she spent four years in public health, where she contributed to COVID-19 response efforts and advanced tobacco education, prevention, and policy initiatives.

Nicole is deeply committed to serving historically underserved communities. She volunteers regularly with the Seattle/King County Clinic and mentors aspiring healthcare professionals through programs like Doctor for a Day at UWSOM. Currently drawn to Internal Medicine, Nicole remains open to exploring other specialties as she continues her clinical training.

Victoria is a native Seattleite and a rising fourth-year medical student at the University of Washington. Before entering medical school, she spent several years designing and implementing innovative hospital-based programs aimed at addressing the social determinants of health.

Victoria chose a nontraditional path through medical school, taking time off to give birth to her three children and pursue a number of passion projects. These include co-founding a mobile clinic serving Seattle’s Tiny House Villages, leading statewide advocacy efforts among health professions students, and contributing to California’s Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening movement. She holds a Master’s in Health Policy and Management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from MIT. 

Caroline is a second-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Originally from Walla Walla, Washington, she is passionate about expanding access to healthcare in rural communities like the one in which she was raised.

Before starting medical school, Caroline worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona. As a medical student, she has served as the American Academy of Pediatrics delegate for the UW School of Medicine and is an Underserved Pathway Scholar, a certificate program that focuses on caring for underserved populations through pre-clinical, clinical, and service-learning experiences.

She also serves as a lead for the UW Virtual Bedside Concerts organization, which brings live music to patients at the University of Washington Medical Center.

Fatima is an incoming medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Before pursuing medicine, she worked as an epidemiologist and public health researcher, collaborating with organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Vaccine Institute, and Médecins Sans Frontières.

She advocated for mobile health clinics in rural communities at the 75th World Health Assembly and currently serves as Co-Chair of Women in Global Health Seattle, where she supports leadership development and interdisciplinary collaboration in health. In her free time, Fatima enjoys hiking, reading, and caring for her two rescue cats.