Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, an anesthesiologist and Navy combat veteran, is set to become the first openly gay person to lead the American Medical Association (AMA) at a time of great turmoil in U.S. healthcare. Patients seeking reproductive healthcare and transgender individuals face significant restrictions in many parts of the country, and state laws are increasingly overriding physicians' medical judgment. Misinformation is widespread, and the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing.
Dr. Ehrenfeld first became involved with the AMA as a young medical resident two decades ago. Since then, the AMA has been working to shed its image as a conservative, self-interested trade association and has become a powerful lobbying force for public health issues. The organization has adopted policies promoting health equity and inclusiveness, and in 2019, it announced a plan to dismantle structural racism within its ranks and the U.S. medical establishment, winning widespread praise.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. Ehrenfeld stated that he did not run as a gay man, but his identity is a part of who he is, and he believes that representation and visibility are essential. He has received numerous messages from people around the world who saw his election as an important moment in advancing health equity for all.
Dr. Ehrenfeld's experiences as a gay person and gay parent have informed his views on healthcare, and he believes that the healthcare system can do better in accommodating people who are not in the majority. He has experienced both positive and harmful interactions with the healthcare system, and he believes that small, subtle irritations can add up and cause stress. He hopes to shine a light on these issues during his term as AMA president.
Dr. Ehrenfeld is also concerned about the increasing government intrusion into decision-making for patients, particularly with regards to reproductive healthcare and care for transgender people. He believes that patients have a right to access evidence-based healthcare services, and that state laws should not override physicians' medical judgment.