Here’s what you should know.
1. Family practice physician and surgeon, and Oklahoma state House of Representatives member Mike Ritze, DO (R-District 80), believes it is because of the similarity of the two callings. “I think the basic makeup of a primary care physician is being a servant. … For me, it was natural to progress into the political realm,” the state representative said.
2. For Colorado state Senator and Denver-based primary care provider Irene Aguilar, MD, (D-District 32), the decision to pursue a career in politics was for her disabled daughter. “I decided to get engaged in public policy to see what safety nets exist for people with significant disabilities,” she said.
3. Michigan Representative Edward Canfield, DO (R-District 84) started in medicine to make a difference. Throughout his career he grew unhappy with the “trajectory of medicine.” He took up the responsibility to change it.
Dr. Canfield said before he sold his practice that balancing patients with the legislature was difficult.
4. Both Drs. Ritze and Aguilar are part time officials, but have made cuts to their practice to maintain both positions. All three of the physicians took substantial pay cuts.
5. Their professional titles afford them respect too. Dr. Aguilar joked that whenever there is a medical issue his fellow legislators will come to him for his opinion, but “when it comes to things like vaccinations — which are very political — my opinion is not as valued.”
6. Dr. Canfield believes more physicians should seek office to help effect change.
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