We have a chance to affect the future of medicine; to advocate for patient interests; to restore the time doctors need to think, to listen, to establish trust, and build bonds, one encounter at a time.
—Eric Topol, MD, Co-founder of Medicine Forward, The New Yorker, 2019
Our vision is 10 million people activated to help patients + physicians flourish in their relationships with each other by 2035
Medicine Forward is a 501c3 nonprofit that unites doctors, patients, and change leaders nationwide to restore the patient-physician relationship as the heart of medicine. We operate as a multi-disciplinary federation, working at individual, community, and system levels. As part of a broad network of advocates, we seek healthcare transformation that cares for caregivers, ensuring patients and communities receive equitable and sustainable care.
10 Million People Activated for Flourishing
The mission of Medicine Forward resonates with me as a recently burnt out doctor who craves restoration of the doctor-patient relationship and the TIME to be curious about my patient’s ailments.
—Medicine Forward Member, March 2024
Key Initiatives
Rising Star - The Rising Star Program empowers healthcare professionals to grow as influential voices in advocacy and change. Through three dynamic tracks — Podcasting, Authorship, and Speaking — you'll create powerful content that amplifies your mission. Participants gain access to dedicated intern support, professional exposure, and a growing network of like-minded changemakers. Advance through achievement levels from Apprentice to Master as you complete each track.
Newsletter - Our monthly newsletter is Medicine Forward’s flagship publication — a curated briefing on the ideas, stories, and voices driving change in healthcare. Each edition explores topics like rebuilding trust in medicine, advancing equity, and restoring the humanity of care. Stay informed with thoughtful analysis, community updates, and powerful narratives from across the field. Subscribe now to stay connected and engaged with the work of meaningful healthcare transformation.
Documentary - Suck It Up, Buttercup is a solution-driven documentary exposing the systemic failures of American healthcare — from corporate greed to clinical burnout. Featuring physicians, patients, and leaders, it examines what’s broken, what’s working, and why change is urgent. The film calls for a return to purpose over profit, advocating for safer, more humane care. It’s a powerful tool to raise awareness and drive reform across the system. Executive producers include Medicine Forward board members Todd Otten and MaryAnn Wilbur.
Coaching and Wellbeing Support - In recognition of the significant increase in physician burnout, moral injury, mental health decay, and suicide, resources to support doctors at the individual and collective levels are needed. The Medicine Forward community includes some of the leading physician coaches and wellbeing experts in the country. Meet our coaches.
Our Collaborators
Impact
1 million+ healthcare leaders have been engaged through our collaboration with the All In Campaign on advancing healthcare worker wellbeing
1 million+ are engaged through social media outreach of our key leaders and advocates including Dr. Eric Topol, Dr. Esther Choo, Dr. Leana Wen, Dr. Tatiana Prowell, and others
25K have been engaged via stories on Medicine Forward on numerous podcasts with national reach: Out of Patients, Health Design Podcast, New Future of Work
700+ attended the virtual Town Hall launch of Medicine forward. An equal number have attended subsequent virtual Town Hall sessions: Stop the Stigma and Prior Authorization
500+ physicians have joined Medicine Forward through grassroots efforts
36% of television households reached in Spring 2023 with a Gray TV feature on Medicine Forward’s advocacy disrupting Prior Authorization
900+ Substack subscribers to Medicine Forward’s e-newsletter
50+ donors have contributed
Numerous examples of support across the Medicine Forward community for people to speak up in local and national settings
Catalyst Groups Are How We Grow The Movement
Medicine Forward members are forming decentralized teams to collaborate, experiment, and take action together. These catalyst groups are born from connection and built around shared purpose—developing coaching relationships, co-creating wellbeing programs, publishing books, and organizing national events.
From the Burnout Symposium to grassroots innovation projects, our members are proving what’s possible when people come together to lead change.
The Principles We Live & Breathe
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We stand up for authentic human relationships with sufficient time and presence with every patient, cultivating optimal communication, empathy, and care. We put humanistic patient care first before the business of medicine.
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We build on a foundation of wellbeing and trust for all patients and healthcare workers.
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We bring physicians together from diverse backgrounds and communities to discover and elevate our shared voice. We are highly collaborative through a multi-disciplinary and multi-network model of organizing.
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We claim our power as change agents passionate about a much better future for healthcare for all.