Physicians for Reform :: Physician Advisory Board

ORGANIZING PHYSICIANS

CL Gray, MD – NORTH CAROLINA

Founder and President, Physicians for Reform

Dr. C. L. Gray is a nationally known writer, speaker, and board certified physician who continues to practice hospital medicine and critical care in western North Carolina. With expertise on the impact of worldviews on culture and public policy, he served as a healthcare policy advisor to the Dr. Ben Carson Presidential campaign in 2016.

Now in its second printing, Dr. Gray’s book, The Battle for America’s Soul: Healthcare, the Culture War, and the Future of Freedom, explores the underpinnings of the culture war that savages our great nation. In the book’s foreward, Reid Buckley, brother of William F. Buckley, noted The Battle for America’s Soul was one of the most important books he had read in the past 25 years.

In 2006 Dr. Gray founded Physicians for Reform, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving patient-centered healthcare. His public policy experience and unique voice as a practicing physician keeps him on the national stage as a widely sought public speaker. He spoke at the September 12, 2009 Tea Party March on Washington with an estimated 1.5 million people in attendance. Moved by the potency of his message, the Tea Party Patriots based its 2012 hour-long healthcare documentary, The Determinators, on Gray’s writing and public speaking. Ted Baehr, CEO of MovieGuide, believed this was the most powerful healthcare documentary he had seen.

Gray has also been widely published in multiple national venues including two pieces specifically requested by FOX News covering President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union Address and the high profile 2010 Healthcare Summit. With some 400,000 readers, Gray’s piece Why Doctors are Leaving Medicare became one of the most highly read opinion pieces FOX posted.

In 2019, Physicians for Reform conducted some of the most in-depth healthcare policy market research done to date. He then joined forces with the Job Creators Network to launch Healthcare for You, a messaging platform that unites doctors, patients, and small business owners. This framework is intended to restore free-market forces and place patients and their physicians back at the center of American healthcare.

Kris Held, MD – TEXAS

President, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Kristin Story Held, M.D. is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and International Society of Refractive Surgeons. Dr. Held is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she was named “Outstanding Student.” She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio where she achieved membership in AOA, the national medical honor society. After completing her internship in Internal Medicine and residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, she joined the faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology. There, she taught cataract surgery, glaucoma, refractive, eyelid, strabismus, trauma, and laser surgery to residents in ophthalmology for five years while serving as director of the county ophthalmology clinic at the Brady Green Community Health Center. She maintains an academic affiliation as an adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at the university. Dr. Held started her private practice of ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery in Stone Oak in 1994 and built the Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center at its current location on Sonterra Blvd. in 2005. She was overjoyed to be joined by brilliant, exceptionally trained, stellar physician, gifted surgeon, ophthalmology colleague and trusted friend, Dr. Allison Young, in 2012.

October 1, 2015, Dr. Held’s practice became completely third party free, including opting out of Medicare. Instead of entering into contractual agreements with mega 3rd party corporations and government agencies, Dr. Held chooses to serve her patients first and directly, with personal, confidential, state-of-the-art, affordable, accessible care. You may be surprised to find the cost of office visits to be less than your copay and cost of services, including surgery, to be less than your commercial insurer’s deductible in many cases. You are free to file with your insurer for out of network benefits. We can help you. Patients from across the state, U.S. and even other countries choose to see Dr. Held for their ophthalmologic care and surgery. Most importantly, if you do not have insurance, no problem, Dr. Held will care for you. If you are on Medicare, you can still choose to see Dr. Held for a reasonable fee; there is value in having an experienced physician who knows you, who serves you with personalized, private, high-tech care, and whom you can see in a timely fashion for the appropriate amount of time needed to fully address your individual condition and concerns. Dr. Held most sincerely and humbly regards caring for her cherished patients as her great blessing, privilege, and pleasure. She is proud to have cared for some of her patients for over 20 years now and treasures several families that she has cared for 4 generations of family members!

Skills and Specialties

Dr. Held provides comprehensive eye care for a broad range of ocular diseases, Dr. Held specializes in cataract and refractive surgery, including state-of-the-art, all-laser LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) and laser cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implantation. Dr. Held has been doing refractive surgery and laser vision correction for over 20 years. She was one of the first eye surgeons to perform LASIK and PRK in San Antonio and is co-founder and co-owner of Alamo Laser Vision. She has years of extensive experience in performing these operations on thousands of patients with great success and loves serving the local San Antonio community with the most advanced eye care available.

Professional Accomplishments

Dr. Held is listed in "The Best Doctors in America," "The Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists," and “Texas Super Doctors.” In 2018, Dr. Held received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners in San Antonio. Dr. Held was named the 2009 “Pillar of Responsibility” by the Northside Education Foundation. Dr. Held serves on the Medical Executive Committee at the Methodist Ambulatory Surgical Center North Central, is a physician partner at the surgery center, and holds privileges at the Methodist Stone Oak Hospital. Over the years, she has served as chief of staff of ophthalmology at the North Central Baptist Hospital, was a consultant for the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, and authored numerous book chapters and articles covering topics from cataract, pterygium, glaucoma, diabetes, dry eye, allergic eye, and blepharitis to ocular blood flow and carotid vascular disease.

Leadership and Advocacy

Dr. Held is dedicated to putting the patient first, preserving the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship, and advancing the noble profession of medicine. Dr. Held is a physician and patient advocate for personalized, patient-centered, direct medical care. Dr. Held is currently President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) and has served on the AAPS Board of Directors for the past four years. The AAPS motto is “All For The Patient.” She served on the healthcare advisory team for Dr. Ben Carson during his presidential campaign, is Co-Chair of the Healthcare Advisory Council for Congressman Chip Roy, is co-founder of AmericanDoctors4Truth.org, and served on the National Physicians Council for Healthcare Policy. She is active with a national coalition of physician, patient, and healthcare leaders from across the country promoting personalized, patient-controlled medical care and opposing socialized medicine. Dr. Held has had numerous articles published, including in the Washington Times, Houston Chronicle, The Hill, Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons and Dr. Carson’s AmericanCurrentsee. She has spoken across the country regarding health policy and its effects on patients, physicians, and the practice of American medicine, advocating for the patient-physician relationship and against the government takeover of medicine. Over the years, her comments have been heard on the Sean Hannity Show, the Cavuto Show, Operation Freedom, The Paradocs Show, Docs4PatientCare's The Doctor's Lounge, Chuck Woolery's Blunt Force Truth as well as locally on 550 KTSA. Dr. Held is committed to providing each patient with the best individualized, innovative medical care available and is fighting for the freedom to continue to be able to do so.

Dr. Held invites you to visit the website www.AAPSonline.org and join AAPS as a patient member free of charge. Here you will find a wealth of information about the current state of healthcare and what doctors and patients in Texas and across the country are doing to preserve personalized medical care and the doctor-patient relationship in the current environment of skyrocketing costs and increasing corporate-government interference.

Personal

Outside of medicine, Dr. Held’s love is her family and the outdoors. She and her husband, David, have four daughters, Holly (and son-in-law, Kendal), Heidi (and son-in-law, John), Hayley (and son-in-law, Reid), and Hannah (and future son-in-law, John). Two of her daughters are physicians and two are in business. She is blessed with three adorable grandchildren. Her father is a retired chairman of neurosurgery, and her mother is a retired R.N. Dr. Held is blessed to be a seven-year breast cancer survivor who is grateful for her amazing physicians and fights all the harder for her patients because of this and many other personal life experiences.

RECOMMENDED PHYSICIANS

Scott Barbour, MD – GEORGIA

Owner, private surgical centers

Scott Barbour, M.D. a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon, is the Founder and President of Barbour Orthopedics & Spine with 5 locations and well over 100 employees. In addition to Barbour Orthopedics & Spine, he owns a private surgery center and owns and manages several commercial properties locally in the Atlanta market. Atlanta has been home to Dr. Barbour for over twenty years where he has dedicated himself to provide state-of-the-art and comprehensive orthopedic care for patients. As part of that mission, Dr. Barbour brought one of the first weight-bearing MRIs to the State of Georgia and now has three MRI’s at his locations to ensure his patients have access to high-quality healthcare. He is an innovator in free-market healthcare, such as early uses of telemedicine. Dr. Barbour continuously expands his advanced knowledge and skills through professional training administered by other leading orthopedic surgeons. Recently he was selected as the top Orthopedic Surgeon in Georgia by the leading physicians of the world.

Currently, Dr. Barbour is the Team Physician for Major League Rugby and treats many other professional athletes today, including major league baseball players, NFL players, boxers and others. Previously he worked with several other professional sports teams including the Oakland Raiders, San Jose Sharks and USA Rugby Teams. He graduated magna cum laude from Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida where he trained under the guidance of world-renowned orthopedic surgeons, including surgeons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins.

In addition to developing Barbour Orthopedics & Spine, Dr. Barbour is passionate about the state of our country’s healthcare. To that end, Dr. Barbour serves as an executive board member of Docs 4 Patients Care which was created by physicians to focus on the sanctity and value of the relationship between the doctor and a patient. He is also an active member of Physicians for Reform which is a patient-centered coalition of patients, physicians and business owners that are working together to rebuild our nation’s healthcare system. In addition, Dr. Barbour is a member of HipNation, which provides patients with reduced healthcare cost access to their physician and is exclusively focused on maximizing their overall wellness. He is a surgical instructor to Arthrex, which is a global medical device company and leader in product development and medical education in orthopedics. He also provides externship opportunities for medical students and physician assistant students and expends time and resources to teach the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Barbour has lectured on orthopedic surgery and healthcare reform and has appeared on radio and television to discuss these subjects. He has published articles and book chapters on orthopedic surgery and has been an editor for the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Bob Campbell, MD – PENNSYLVANIA

Co-Founder, Physicians Against Drug Shortages

Education

1989-1992 Penn State University Hospital
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Anesthesiology Residency Training

1988-1989 The Harrisburg Hospital
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Internal Medicine Internship

1984-1988 University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
Doctor of Medicine
Phi Kappa Phi Fellow Scholarship
Belle and Herman Hammerman March of Dimes Fellow

1980-1984 University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
Bachelor of Science Cum Laude, Biochemistry
Honors Program, Provosts' Scholar, Leidy Scholar, Maryland Distinguished Scholar, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society

1976-1980 Elkton Senior High School
Elkton, Maryland
Salutatorian

Professional Organizations

American Society of Anesthesiologists 1988-Present
PA Society of Anesthesiologists Board of Directors 2000-Present
Chairman PSA Pain Management Committee 2005-Present
Chairman PSA Insurance and Legislation Committee 2002-Present
Chairman PSA Finance Committee 2012-2013
PA Society of Anesthesiologists Vice-President 2012-2013
PA Society of Anesthesiologists President-Elect 2013
PA Society of Anesthesiologists President 2014-2015
ASA Pennsylvania Alternate Delegate 2000-2011
ASA Pennsylvania Delegate 2011-Present
International Spine Intervention Society 2005-2012
Pennsylvania Medical Society 1988-Present
Lebanon County Medical Society
Physicians Against Drug Shortages Founder & Chair 2012-2019
Physicians for Reform 2017-Present
Free2Care.org 2019-Present
Institute for Patient Access and Affordability Board of Directors

Certification and Licensure

Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners 1989
Pennsylvania Medical License MD-042589-L
ABMS Certification in Anesthesiology 1993-Unlimited

ABMS Certification in Pain Management 1998-2008
ABMS Recertification in Pain Management 2008-2016
ACLS/BLS/PALS Certification

Employment

2005-Present President Central PA Anesthesia Partners, PC
2016-Present National Endowment for the Arts Panelist
1992-2005 Lebanon Anesthesia Associates, Ltd
1981-1987 National Institute of Standards and Technology Physicist

Medical Staff Appointments and Committees

1992-2005 GSH Ob-Newborn Committee
1996-1998 GSH Maternal/Child/Fetal Health Services Task Force
2002-2005 GSH Medical Executive Committee
2002-2004 GSH Vice-Chairman Department of Surgery
2000-2005 GSH Operating Room Committee
2001-2003 GSH Expansion Task Force Committee
2004-2005 GSH Chairman Department of Surgery
2005-2014 Physicians Surgical Center of Lebanon Executive Board

Medical Staff Privileges

1992-2005 Good Samaritan Hospital
1994-2005 Lebanon Outpatient Surgical Center
1998-2006 Lebanon VA Medical Center
2005-Present Physicians Surgical Center of Lebanon
2005-2015 Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center
2005-2008 Hershey Outpatient Surgical Center
2005-2006 Lancaster Surgical Center\
2016-Present Lancaster Surgical Center
2008-2015 Lancaster Regional Medical Center

Interests

Tennis, Running, Coin Collecting, Reading, Biking, Music, Folk Art

Amber Colville, MD – MISSISSIPPI

Internal Medicine
Delegate – RNC Convention

Dr. Amber Colville is the owner of New Wave Internal Medicine in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She is an associate professor of William Carey School of Osteopathic Medicine, a member of the Mississippi State Medical Association, is a charter member of Physicians for Patient Protection, and was rewarded the “Outstanding Community Service Award” given by the Mississippi State Medical Association for creating and administrating a social media forum consisting of physicians in Mississippi, allowing all physicians to stay informed of current healthcare legislation and providing a forum for discussion.

She is on the boards of both Premier Health, Inc and Gateway Christian Academy. She is a committee member for physician and provider credentialing at the Singing River Health System, as well as being on staff at Ocean Springs Hospital.

Dr. Amber Colville is a native of Jackson County, currently residing in Pascagoula. She is a 1990 graduate of Moss Point High School. Following HS, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and English. After college, she pursued her childhood dream of becoming a physician and graduated from Ross University School of Medicine in 2000. She completed a combined residency training program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in 2004 from the State University of New York in Brooklyn, NY, after which she returned to Jackson County to practice as a board-certified internist.

Amber has been married to Lewis Sims for the past 20 yrs. They have 3 children together: Mckinley, Mallory, and Austin.
When not in the office, she spends her time attending sporting events, as she follows her husband’s football team, the Pascagoula Panthers, soccer teams for her children, karate for her son, and dance classes for her daughter Amber is a member of the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church of Pascagoula, and also sings in the quartet “Fourtified”, and the trio “Lovesong”. She also enjoys traveling when time allows.

Tony Dale, MD – TEXAS

Founder and President, Sedera Health

Dan Durrie, MD – KANSAS

Nationally Renowned Ophthalmologist

Elaina George, MD – GEORGIA

Otolaryngology
Radio Talk Radio Show Host

Gerard Gianoli, MD – LOUISIANA

Neuro-otology and skull-based surgery

Dr. Gerard J. Gianoli specializes in Neuro-otology and Skull Base Surgery. He is in private practice at The Ear and Balance Institute, located in Covington, Louisiana and is also a Clinical Associate Professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Pediatrics at Tulane University School of Medicine. He pioneered treatments for Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence and other vestibular disorders. His private practice has a worldwide reach, with patient referrals coming from all over the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. Dr. Gianoli was a major focus of the book “A Hole in My Life” (2016) by Philippa Thomson.

He has received numerous awards, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology’s Honor Award, and has been named in America’s Top Doctors and America’s Top Physicians every year since their inceptions in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Dr. Gianoli practices all aspects of neuro-otology but has a special interest in vestibular (balance) disorders. He has researched, lectured and published extensively on the topic of vestibular disorders, including evaluation of dizziness in the litigating patient and identification of malingering. He was the primary investigator for a NASA study that led to a non-invasive intracranial pressure assessment to be used in the International Space Station.

Dr. Gianoli opted out of Medicare in 2001 and has had a 100% third-party-free practice since 2005. He’s lectured and written extensively on third party free medical practices and free-market medicine. His editorials have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investor’s Business Daily, The Hill, and other popular periodicals. His media interviews have spanned the nation, including interviews on Fox News and National Public Radio. He has been an active member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and DocSquads – both groups who are ardent advocates of free-market medical practice. He is also on the board of policy advisors for the Heartland Institute and served on the national medical coalition of Dr. Ben Carson’s presidential campaign. www.earandbalance.net

Scott Hardeman, MD – MISSOURI

Private ENT Surgeon

Nicole Johnson, MD – OHIO

Pediatric Critical Care

Lee Kurisko, MD – MINNESOTA

Former Canadian radiologist (now in US)

Dr. Stanley “Lee” Kurisko is a Canadian physician that has been living and working in the United States for the last 18 years.

For the first 13 years of his career, he worked in Canada’s system of government-run healthcare both as a family physician and as a specialist in Diagnostic Imaging. He has deep insight as to why a “Medicare For All” approach is the wrong answer for the challenges facing the United States health care system. He advocates pro free-market reforms such as enhancing direct cash transactions for health care without the intrusions of third parties, true insurance rather than prepaid medical care and enhanced incentives for charitable care. He is the author of “Health Reform - The End of the American Revolution?”.

Katarina Lindley DO FACOFP – TEXAS

Direct Primary Care Family Physician (formerly from Ukraine)

Board Certified Family Medicine Physician and Owner of Direct Primary Care Clinic
Trustee Brock Independent School District
2019 President Texas American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
Board Member Texas Osteopathic Medical Association
Board Member DPCAction

AFFILIATIONS

American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
American Osteopathic Association
DPCAction
Texas Association of School Boards
Texas Society of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
Texas Osteopathic Medical Association
American Academy of Family Physicians
Texas Academy of Family Physicians
Practising Physicians of America

WORK HISTORY

12/13/2017 to Current

Owner and Physician Eagle Medical Center, Brock, Texas

Solo family physician in Direct Primary Care practice
Provide family care for the whole family through age-based membership

8/31/2015 to Current

Palo Pinto General Hospital Urgent Care Center
Mineral Wells, Texas

Family Physician providing care in rural urgent setting

August 2018-Current

Doctor On Demand Telemedicine

Associate family physician staff member

01/2015 to 07/31/2017

Medical Director Palo Pinto General Hospital

Community Care Clinics, Mobile Bus Clinic and Urgent Care Clinic Mineral Wells, Santo and Gordon, Texas

Supervised 7 Nurse Practitioners as well as all the supporting medical staff
In addition to supervision, provided direct medical care to patients in the rural community
Managed, directed and coordinated activities for nurses, medical assistants,

Nurse Practitioners and other medical staff.

Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate outstanding healthcare teams.

07/2015 to 06/2017

Jail Physician

Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Jail

Palo Pinto, Texas, United States

Appropriately diagnosed and treated a variety of diseases and injuries in an incarcerated setting, including mental health.

09/2012 to 11/2014
Family Medicine Physicians, Aurora Medical Center Family Medicine Physician, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Appropriately diagnosed and treated a variety of diseases and injuries in a general

practice setting for a large medical group in Green Bay area. Covered nursing homes call on the weekend

06/2007 to 03/2010
Physician Fast Care Urgent Care Center, Aventura, Florida

Appropriately diagnosed and treated a variety of diseases and injuries in an urgent

care setting ranging from minor illnesses and emergencies to workman's comp

cases

06/2010 to 03/2011
Family Medicine Physician Associate Professor, Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Appropriately diagnosed and treated a variety of diseases and injuries in a general

practice setting and student health clinic

Advised and educated family medicine residents and medical students regarding

clinical family medicine

Participated in teaching clinical skills to medical students

EDUCATION

2004 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine:

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Class President 2003 and 2004
President of Omicron Chapter of ACOFP 2001-2002
Member of Sigma Phi Honor Society
Recipient of Donna Jones Moritsugu Award 2002
Recipient of Dean Community Award 2004
Recipient of Samuel J. Salman D.O. Family Medicine Award 2004
Participated and organized many community events including Homeless Shelter

Feeding Program, Doctor's Bag Program for Children, Healthcare Community events, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program

2000 Bachelor of Science in Biology

Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida

1998 Associate of Arts Degree

Palm Beach Community College, Boca Raton, Florida

2007 Palmetto General Hospital Family Medicine Residency

Chief Family Medicine Resident

2005 Palmetto General Hospital Traditional Rotating Internship

CERTIFICATIONS

Board Certified in Family Medicine
ACLS/BLS Certified
Active Texas, DPS and DEA License
Active Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, North Dakota, Arkansas Medical License
Past Florida and Wisconsin License

Marion Mass, MD – PENNSYLVANIA

Co-Founder, Practicing Physicians of America

Sheila Page, DO – TEXAS

Family Practice

Marilyn Singleton, MD, JD – CALIFORNIA

Immediate Past President, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Hal Scherz, MD – GEORGIA

Co-Founder, Docs4Patient Care

Dr. Hal C. Scherz is a renowned Pediatric Urologist practicing in Atlanta Georgia. His training has taken him from New York to Texas to California at some of the most well-regarded institutions in American Medicine. He is a full time practicing urologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and is an Asst. Professor at Emory University. He has one of the few fellowship training programs in Pediatric Urology in the US and serves as a principal investigator on numerous studies in his field of expertise and a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals in Urology.

Dr. Scherz has significant medical executive experience currently serving as the managing partner of Georgia Urology- the 5th largest urology private practice in the US. He is a former president of the American Association of Pediatric Urologists. He is currently on the executive boards of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Ambulatory Surgery Center and is vice-chair of the Children’s Healthcare Network of Atlanta.

He is a highly sought after speaker in regards to healthcare issues, having appeared on numerous national TV news programs and nationally syndicated radio shows. In his specialty, Dr. Scherz has published over 70 articles and 6 book chapters. He has been named by Atlanta Magazine as one of the leading doctors in Atlanta each year since 2005. In the area of the national health care debate he has published editorials in some of the leading publications of the nation, and he is the founder of Docs4Patient Care.

Ingrid Skop, MD – TEXAS

Obstetrics

Dr. Ingrid Skop has been a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist in San Antonio, Texas for 23 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in physiology from Oklahoma State University and her medical doctorate from Washington University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Skop is a board member of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and a Charlotte Lozier Institute Associate Scholar. She is the Board Chairman of Any Woman Can Pregnancy Resource Center-which specializes in free mental health counseling and is a board member of The Source for Women-a consortium of holistic women’s health care centers in Texas. Dr. Skop is married to a physician and is the proud mother of two sons and a daughter.

Joel Strom, DDS – CALIFORNIA

Founder, physician communications network

Dr. Joel Strom is a practicing general dentist in Beverly Hills and former President of the California State Dental Board. After years of grassroots political leadership and appointments both at the State and National Levels, Dr. Strom founded a political leadership and communications firm, Strom Strategies. He is a Fellow at the Jess Unruh Institute of Politics is also a guest lecturer at numerous educational institutions including NYU, USC, UCLA, a panel participant on healthcare reform and has appeared on radio and television as well.

Dr. Strom presently sits on the National Advisory Dental Cranial Research Council which oversees the awarding of all NIH dental research-related funds. He is a past-Chairman of the California Science Center Board of Directors and past-President of the California State Dental Board. Dr. Strom feels strongly that we need to establish with the voting public, first that we care, and then an inclusive messaging campaign that voters will understand and believe.

Mary Tipton, MD – UTAH

Internal Medicine / Pediatrics

Dr. Mary Tipton: Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Private practice owner of a successful primary care clinic in South Jordan Utah: Proud Air Force wife and mother of four children; Cares deeply about providing patient-centered care to her diverse patient population; Believes that applying free-market principles can decrease costs, improve quality and get third parties out of the exam room.

Josh Umbehr, MD – KANSAS

Founder, Atlas MD

Born and raised in Alma, Kansas, Dr. Josh Umbehr majored in human nutritional sciences with a minor in biology and completed extensive research on the effects of vitamin A on lung cancer. He graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his Family Medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center. After completing his training to become a Board Certified Family Physician, he opened Atlas MD. His cash-only clinic embodies his ideal medical practice, one where he shrugs off the burdens and restrictions of government and insurance regulation daily. That way he can focus solely on his patients.

“Dr. Josh Umbehr is a brilliant pioneer, and leader, gifted with the ability to explain complex issues in a relatable, understandable fashion.” (Dr. Kris Held, President Association of American Physicians and Surgeons). Dr. Umber has been on Hannity TV and radio countless times, dozens of podcasts and other radio. He speaks to legislators, conferences, medical schools, residencies, etc.

James D. Veltmeyer, MD – SAN DIEGO

Chief of the Department of Family Medicine at Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Dr. James Veltmeyer is one of San Diego’s leading physicians and a national leader in the battle for common-sense and affordable health care reform. He is the author of the “Health Care by the People, for the People” direct-payer health reform plan which has been covered in both local and national media, such as The La Mesa Courier, East County Magazine, KNSJ Community Radio, Real Talk San Diego, KSEE-24 News, ABC News 10, Brett Winterble Show, Direct Primary Care Journal and Concierge Medicine Today. Dr. Veltmeyer’s plan would restore the doctor-patient relationship by limiting the role of government and private insurance companies in the health care process.

Dr. Veltmeyer had an unlikely—almost impossible -- journey to his current position as one of our area’s most respected doctors. Born in South America in 1968, his family became homeless when his father abandoned his mother and siblings. James was just a year old at the time. His earliest recollections include living on the streets of Ecuador and going sometimes for days without eating. He was often assigned by his mother the task of pleading for a few bread rolls at the local panaderia, sometimes not receiving enough for all his brothers and sisters and offering to go without himself so they could eat. At a certain point, his mother made the heartbreaking decision to send James alone ( at age 11 ) to live with an aunt in the United States. After a two-year effort to obtain a visa, his aunt in El Cajon was able to bring James to live with her in San Diego County. Finally, when he was 19, his mother followed and he became the sole provider for his family, holding down multiple jobs while attending school full-time.

Such a challenging childhood might have discouraged others and prevented them from attaining their full potential. However, Dr. Veltmeyer moved beyond the life-altering transition of coming to a new country at a young age, leaving his mother and siblings, and adapting and adjusting to a new language and culture. He was determined to make a difference, not just for himself but for others and society as well.

He attended and excelled in his studies at local schools ( such as Grossmont High School ), held down numerous jobs along the way and eventually realized his life-long dream of becoming a doctor.

He graduated from UC San Diego and the Ross University School of Medicine and completed his residency through the UC San Francisco system where he became Chief, overseeing 36 doctors. Dr. Veltmeyer, a member of the San Diego Critical Care Medical Group, has been chosen for five years ( 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 ) by his colleagues in the San Diego County Medical Society as a “Physician of Exceptional Excellence,” the most prestigious honor awarded to a “Top Doctor” in San Diego County. He is among a select group of San Diego physicians who was chosen five of the last fifteen years and he consistently ranks in the top 1% to 2% for patient satisfaction. He has served as the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at SGH where he provided senior leadership to over 200 doctors and is currently Chief Medical Officer for Therapeutic Solutions International (TSI), a biomedical company harnessing the miracles of immunotherapy to fight deadly diseases like cancer. He has been recognized by the California State Senate as a “California Hero.”

Dr. Veltmeyer is Board Certified in Family Medicine and holds credentials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Neonatal Resuscitation. He is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is also a longtime member of SGH’s BioMedical Ethics Committee. He is also the host of the podcast program “Physician on a Mission” and his OpEds have appeared in publications across America.

Dr. Veltmeyer is married and he and his wife Laura are the parents of two children, Olivia 9, and Landon 7. They are parishioners of All Hallows Catholic Church in La Jolla where both his children attend school. An avid sportsman, Dr. Veltmeyer enjoys surfing on San Diego’s world-renowned beaches, as well as golf, tennis, skiing, and chess.

Dr. Veltmeyer is a shining example of the American Dream and of overcoming huge obstacles to achieve success and reputation in his profession. He did this through religious faith, hard work, a commitment to build a better life for himself and his family, and a deep personal dedication to the founding principles of his adopted country, the United States of America. He believes faith and freedom can help even the most disadvantaged individuals reach for the stars and realize their hopes and dreams. Only in America.

Craig Wax, DO – NEW JERSEY

Board Member, Practicing Physicians of America
Talk radio show

Marlene Wust-Smith, MD – PENNSYLVANIA

Pediatrics
Founded physician magazine

Marlene Wust-Smith: Board-certified bilingual pediatrician; Cornell (undergrad and medical school); First generation Hispanic-American (Cuban & Dominican); Recently founded a magazine www.physicianoutlook.com with a goal of uniting ALL physicians from both sides of the aisle on reforming healthcare.

ORGANIZING NON-PHYSICIAN

Nancy Schulze – NORTH CAROLINA

Women for Trump Advisory Board

Speaker, writer, advocate, activist, organizer, producer, fundraiser, Nancy Schulze is motivated by a desire to see the country rebuilt on its founding principles and Constitutional roots.

Nancy’s career path began in New York City and show business. After several years of performing principal roles in musical theatre tours, romance took her to Montana where she married Montana’s Secretary of State, Jim Waltermire. Nancy owned a real estate company, was elected to represent Montana on the National Board of Realtors, was the Realtor ‘Salesperson of the Year’ in her area and served on the Planning Board, Zoning Commission and Chamber Board. In his race as Republican frontrunner for Governor, Nancy was her husband’s primary surrogate, the Director of Headquarters Volunteers and produced the campaign newsletter until Waltermire and his pilot lost their lives in a plane crash on a campaign trip.

Nancy moved to Washington DC where she was the Eastern U.S. Director of Conferences for the largest chain of counseling and treatment centers in the country until her marriage to 9-term Congressman Dick Schulze (R-PA), Member of the Ways and Means Committee and founder of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and Foundation.

Nancy became an event singer, with solo performances from the Capitol Rotunda to Constitution Hall to Ambassadors’ residences in WDC and abroad, to the Inaugural Prayer Service for the United States Congress. She was the speaker and singer for the Inaugural Prayer Service for the Governor of New York. Singing in USO Tours In previous years inspired her one-woman show of patriotic and World War II music which brought standing ovations in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol.

Throughout the years, Nancy has been an advocate for Republican candidates, speaking for Members of Congress, the Senate and the Presidency. She was the Director of Celebrities for Bob Dole’s presidential campaign, with a production rate that had the top brass at the campaign referring to her as “The 800 Pound Gorilla”. Previously, she had produced a Black Tie Ball and Art Auction for George HW Bush that raised more funds in one night than all efforts in the state combined.

After a year-long, masters level study of Worldview with Chuck Colson at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Nancy’s career path turned to full time speaking at conventions, conferences, events and meetings, including a National Republican Women’s Summit in WDC and the Global Pastors’ Wives Conference. Her speaking focuses on contrasting the belief systems that drive public policy, which has prompted listeners to change their political affiliation. Nancy does media interviews and has been published in the Washington Times, World Net Daily and others. Nancy was given a Most Outstanding Republican Woman Award for her extensive speaking in central Florida.

Learning that women outvote men in this country – by a lot – Nancy founded the Republican Congressional Wives Speakers in 2008. Since then, she has been producing Republican Congressional Wives Speakers Seminars to help equip the wives for speaking in their districts and throughout the country. Seminars have featured 2^nd Lady Karen Pence, Kellyanne Conway, Sean Hannity, Matt Schlapp, Charlie Kirk, James O’Keefe, John Solomon, Sara Carter, Star Parker, Ginni Thomas, Jim DeMint, Rachel Campos Duffy, Sebastian Gorka, Charlie Hurt, Charlie Cook, Frank Luntz, other pollsters, authors, think tank leaders and many others, including media training by the NRCC, the RNC and private PR firms. The seminars have gained a reputation for being “the best thing going on Capitol Hill - for the wives, staff, or members themselves” – former President, Republican Congressional Spouses.

In 2016, Nancy Schulze, with the partnership of Debbie Meadows (wife of Congressman Mark Meadows, now President Trump’s Chief of Staff), produced the Congressional wives “Women for Trump” bus tour which attracted significant national media attention and, according to Campaign Co-Chair Steve Bannon, played an integral role in “putting Trump over” in the critical swing state of North Carolina. In 2018, she produced Congressional wives bus tours for two congressional candidates.

Nancy now serves on the national Women for Trump Advisory Board and several other boards. In her role as an executive board member for Physicians for Reform, she is a tireless advocate for a return to patient-centered, free-market healthcare in America.

With the late Vonette Bright, Nancy and several other women advocates founded the American Prayer Initiative. Vonette (wife of Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ) was the driving force behind establishing the National Day of Prayer. In the spirit of her friend Vonette, Nancy continues her advocacy for prayer, believing that the country will turn around if and when it turns to God.