The Physician as Advocate: From Clinical Excellence to Policy Impact

The Physician as Advocate: From Clinical Excellence to Policy Impact

September 18, 2025, 3:00 pm EDT/12:00 pm PDT

In-person in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA

Register HERE today!

Are you a medical student or physician interested in health policy? Or a health policy professional interested in the role that physicians can play in policy advocacy? Please join us on September 18 to hear how physicians are leveraging their clinical experience, patient relationships, and professional networks to advocate for access to health care and public health. Come and learn how the University of Southern California is creating pathways for our students, residents, and faculty to advocate for change–especially as major shifts occur in national and global health policy.

This unique coast-to-coast event, “The Physician as Advocate: From Clinical Excellence to Policy Impact,” will take place on Thursday, September 18, at 3:00 pm EDT/12:00 pm PDT. Please join us in-person at our Capital Campus in Washington, DC or our Health Sciences Campus in Los Angeles, CA. If you’re joining us in Los Angeles, we invite you to bring your own lunch.

Panelists for the discussion are:

1. Linda Mirdamadi, MD Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Keck School of Medicine of USC (KSOM); President, KSOM SCAA Board of Directors; California Delegate, American Medical Association; House of Delegates
2. Wes Mizutani, MD Rheumatologist, Optum Medical Group; Board of Directors Chair, Gout Support Group of America; National Board of Directors, Arthritis Foundation; Board of Directors, Alliance for Patient Access
3. Josie Cooper, Executive Director, Alliance for Patient Access
4. Vennela Devanaboyina, Medical Student (MS2), Keck School of Medicine of USC

The conversation will begin with an introduction by Keck School of Medicine of USC Dean Carolyn Meltzer, MD, and will be moderated by IIGH Director of Policy Engagement Jonathan Cohen, JD and IIGH Director of Academic Programs Taylor Burkholder, MD.

The discussion is hosted by the Keck School of Medicine of USC, USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, and the USC Capital Campus in cooperation with the Alliance for Patient Access.

Please join us on Thursday, September 18, at 3:00 pm EDT/12:00 pm PDT.

For more information about USC’s initiatives to develop physician advocates, please contact Prof. Jonathan E. Cohen at [email protected].

This program is open to all eligible individuals. IIGH operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.