96. Honoring National Physicians' Week.

The CME experience for this Podcast is powered by CMEfy - click here to reflect and unlock credits & more: https://earnc.me/DHbRXI   This week we break from our normal format to have a discussion with doctors Marion Mass and Kimberly Jackson regarding the genesis of National Physicians' Week. Dr. Marion Mass is a practicing pediatrician who is also a physician advocate and healthcare activist. She is driven to take back medicine for patients and the medical profession. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a spotlight on dangerous deficiencies within the US healthcare industry. At the center of these deficiencies are Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), which are healthcare intermediaries that increase costs and create drug and supply shortages. Although GPOs and PBMs don't produce or distribute a single product or provide direct care to a single patient, they control nearly 90% of the pharmaceutical supply chain. These middlemen amass huge profits because they enjoy government-mandated safe harbor protections at the expense of physician practice needs, sound medical decision-making, and patient choice.  Dr. Kimberly Funches Jackson is the founder of Physicians Working Together and pioneer of National Physicians Week. Throughout her career as a board-certified physician, "Dr. J." has dedicated her life to the care of others. She's the medical director and co-owner of her Family Medicine & Pediatrics clinic and has provided medical care to adults and children for over a decade. Her commitment to the well-being of the community extends beyond her practice. Dr. J is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority maintains the social responsibility of Dr. J is an active member in her church and she's also an active board member for several community-based organizations. Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon  | Spotify --- There's more at https://mymdcoaches.com/podcast Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at [email protected]