WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 17, 2015)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today delivered a keynote address in front of hundreds of medical professionals at the National Physicians Alliance’s 10th Annual Conference.

A founding member of the National Physicians Alliance (NPA), Dr. Wen spoke before the conference, entitled “Truth to Power: Alliance for the Public Good,” to encourage the importance of physician advocacy to overall community health and reiterated the importance of stronger physician-community relations.

“As doctors, we have to be the strong voices, the willing listeners, and advocates for health, that our patients and communities deserve,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “That means meeting people where they are, and treating each person because their life matters. Public health is critical tool for social justice, and healthcare professionals all have ability to use that tool to reduce disparities and aim for equality.”

Founded in 2005 as an alternative to the American Medical Association and other traditional medical trade associations, the NPA is an organization focused on fostering active community engagement for physicians to support patients and promote public health through policy and research. A non-partisan, 501(c)3 organization, the NPA accepts no funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies.

As the organization celebrated its tenth birthday, NPA members recommitted to broadening access to health care, reducing health disparities, and promoting health justice across the country, through programs that includes:

• Integrity & Trust in Medicine;
• Equitable, Affordable Health Care for All;
• Patient Safety & Systems Improvement;
• Gun Violence Prevention;
• Civic Engagement; and
• Professional Development.

“The National Physicians Alliance builds community across medical specialties and beyond traditional medicine itself,” said Dr. Jean Silver-Isenstadt Executive Director of the National Physicians Alliance. “NPA believes that civic engagement is a responsibility of the profession, and that the best way for medicine to win public trust is to earn it."

Learn more at http://npalliance.org/about/