Renee Crichlow MD, FAAFP

October 2019 Advocacy Champion

1. Why is being an advocate so important to you? Since health begins where patients live, learn, work, and play most, 80%, of health outcomes are the result of experiences and exposures outside of our exam room. As such, I believe physicians need to understand how to partner with communities to address the policy issues that affect where they live, learn, work, and play. I also believe physicians must lead in the development of health policy and health system reforms. We are on the frontlines with our patients. We know how policy does and will affect their well-being so we need to advocate for them and us.
2. What health-care-related issue(s) have you advocated for over the past year? Health care payment reform and workforce pipeline are one of my biggest goals and we are working this on multiple fronts. Also, teaching other physicians the skills and necessity to advocate for their patients, their profession and themselves is an everyday mission for me.
3. What advice would you offer to others who are interested in advocacy? Don't think you have to change the world yourself. That is too much. Work with others. The following quote has propelled me in my personal mission and may help others: "Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."