We’re doctors who want to advocate for our patients beyond the exam room or hospital. We push for policies and political outcomes that prioritize patients over health care industry profits.
TRUSTED VOICES
The physician members who comprise the Committee to Protect Health Care know that, in many ways, our health care system isn’t working. We believe that, to expand access to quality, affordable health care, we must advocate for better health care policies, elect health care champions, and hold anti-health care politicians accountable.
As trusted voices, we use our expertise, and the support of the Committee’s trained staff, to ensure health care is at the center of elections and policy making.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MONA MANGAT, MD
BOARD CHAIR
Dr. Mona Mangat, M.D, Allergist and immunologist, was inspired to action when she observed that many of her patients in St. Petersburg, Florida, were unable to access and afford the health care they needed. She has become an advocate for health care on a national level while running a private practice and raising four children with her husband. Dr. Mangat graduated from the 6-year combined BS/MD program at Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine in 1996 and completed an Internal Medicine / Pediatrics Residency at the University of Tennessee-Memphis / Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in 2000. Shen then completed an Allergy/Immunology fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Mangat was the former National Board Chair of Doctors for America and is currently serving as a Board Chair for the Committee to Protect Health Care.
EAN BETT, MD
Ean Bett is a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Columbus, Ohio. He has been a part of the struggle for universal health care in America, first as a patient, and now as a physician, which has driven his particular interest in achieving universal, affordable, and high-quality health care for all Americans. Ean advocates for his patients by championing appropriate drug pricing, the use and integration of technology in clinical practice to improve outcomes, and a shared vision of American values.
He has participated in advocacy and education around universal health care, Medicare for All, and single payer platforms though several organizations, including the Physicians Action Network, American Academy of Family Physicians, Physicians for a National Health Program, Making Health Care Fair, and National Physicians Alliance. He has been asked to speak on these topics at both local and national conferences to community members and physicians alike.
His clinical practice at Grant Family Medicine Residency, where he spent three years in training before joining the faculty in 2017, focuses on the underserved with a special interest in providing primary care to individuals who also suffer from behavioral health issues. He enjoys teaching students and residents the balance between the art and science of medicine and using shared-decision making to engage his patients in reaching their desired health outcomes.
FARHAN BHATTI, MD
Dr. Bhatti is a board-certified Family Physician and currently serves as CEO of Care Free Medical, a nonprofit clinic that provides medical, dental, and optometry care to underserved and uninsured individuals in the Metro Lansing area. He completed his residency training in Family Medicine at Sparrow Hospital. Prior to that, he graduated from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University (MSU). Dr. Bhatti also holds two undergraduate degrees with Honors from MSU, Political Science and Physiology, with a specialization in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society. He is actively involved politically and is especially passionate about health care policy.
KALI CYRUS, MD MPH
Kali D. Cyrus MD MPH is a Stanford, Emory, UIC, and Yale trained physician and public health thought leader. Her work is informed by her personal experience as a Black, Queer woman. In her academic work, Dr. Cyrus has developed curricula to help medical professionals understand and respond to oppression and currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She has worked in the public sector as a health policy aide for Senator Chris Murphy as a Jeanne Spurlock Fellow through the American Psychiatric Association. The acute awareness of how social systems that influence health benefit the privileged, drives Dr. Cyrus’ advocacy efforts in the political, healthtech, and media spaces. She brings this approach to the care of her client with intersectional identities such as Black or Brown, LGBTQIA, creatives, medical professionals, women, young adults and those from historically oppressed or “othered” backgrounds.
As such, Dr. Cyrus is a Board Member of a 501c4 organization called the Committee to Protect Health Care. She has helped found women’s advocacy organizations like TimesUpHealthcare and Gemma. Lastly, Dr. Cyrus has been a featured expert on news outlets like CNN, MSNBC and most recently Showtime’s Couples Therapy. Pairing her deep expertise with humor, Dr. Cyrus brings humanity to challenging topics and works with individuals and corporations around issues of race, identity, and conflict through her consulting firm, Dynamics of Difference. Kali D. Cyrus M.D., M.P.H.
GABY GOLDSTEIN, JD, PhD
Gaby Goldstein is co-founder at Sister District, whose mission is to build progressive power in state legislatures. As Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, she leads programs that strengthen the pipeline of diverse, progressive candidates, as well as programs that educate the public about the importance of state legislatures and policy, and which support progressive state legislators once elected. Prior to founding Sister District, Gaby was a bioethics lawyer and health policy researcher. She holds a BA from UC Berkeley, JD from Boston University School of Law, and PhD in health policy from UC Berkeley.
MARTHA GRANT
Martha is the Director of Product Strategy at Action Network, and a big believer in their cooperative development and co-ownership model of building technology. Part mediator, part translator and part visionary, she knows we can use human-centered tech to win big and win fast. Martha has spent her career working for labor, political campaigns and nonprofits.
MARK SCHAUER
Former Congressman Mark Schauer represented Michigan’s 7th District from 2009-11. Previously, Mark was Battle Creek City Commissioner, state Representative and Senator, rising to the post of Senate Minority Leader. He was chosen by Michigan Democrats as their gubernatorial nominee in 2014, losing a close race to the Republican incumbent.
As a Member of the 111th Congress, Mark’s proudest moment was voting to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Mark serves as vice president of DC-based Winning Connections and owns Mark Schauer Strategic LLC. He previously performed national consulting work for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and the Eric Holder-chaired National Democratic Redistricting Committee. He also worked for the BlueGreen Alliance and Michigan Laborers District Council.
Mark serves on the boards of the Committee to Protect Health Care, STARBASE Youth Program, and Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.
Mark holds a BA from Albion College, a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University, and an MA in Political Science from Michigan State University. Mark, his wife Christine, and their dog Rocky split their time between Portage and Marquette, Michigan.
STATE LEADS
STAFF
Members of the Committee’s staff come to the organization with experience in state and federal politics, issue campaigns, and legislative offices. This experience informs the Committee’s health care advocacy and accountability efforts, and allows us to help train and support physician members.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Davidson is a board-certified Emergency Physician with more than 20 years of experience in the Emergency Department in a rural West Michigan hospital. He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at Maine Medical Center after graduating from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. In response to his experiences in the emergency department, Dr. Davidson is an outspoken advocate for universal health care and Medicare-for-All. As Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Health Care, Dr. Davidson advocates for the protection and expansion of health care coverage for his patients.
CHIEF OF STAFF
Miles Baker previously worked for the AFLCIO, candidate campaigns, and is a veteran of issue campaigns and ballot initiatives across the country. He has been a universal health care advocate since the first time he raised his hand to volunteer for a Democratic candidate. He currently resides in Chicago, IL.
PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE
Darien is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Social Relations and Policy & Women and Gender Studies. She has worked in the political space for 3 years where she has gained experience in campaigns and in government relations for reproductive rights. Darien is originally from Michigan but now resides in the Chicago area.
CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER
Amber is an organizer who mobilized her community in Ohio to advocate for reproductive rights. She then moved to a professional career in organizing and worked to pass the reproductive freedom amendment in the state in 2023. She currently lives in Cincinnati.
ADVOCACY DIRECTOR
Joel is a campaign staffer with experience in national volunteer organizing, campaign finance, and fundraising & development. He developed a passion for health care-focused campaign work during the 2018 election cycle when he worked alongside a candidate campaigning on a strong health care message. Joel currently resides in Grand Rapids.
CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER
Cassidy comes to the Committee with a background in political communications consulting and digital organizing on state and national campaigns. She received her BS in Political Science from Appalachian State University, and is earning her MA in Mass Communication at the University of Florida. She is committed to fighting for affordable and quality health care through strategic communications and personal conversations. Cassidy currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina.
CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Lori has spent the majority of her professional career at the intersection of public policy and organizing. Lori started her work in politics as an intern in Senator Schumer’s office and quickly moved up the ranks to become Regional Director. Prior to joining the Committee, Lori served as the Political Director for an Upstate New York congressional campaign. Lori has more than a decade of experience under her belt and holds a BA in Political Science from Syracuse University and an MHA in Health Care Administration from Utica University.
NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Andrew Feldman is a communications strategist and founder of Feldman Strategies LLC. Currently, Feldman works with progressive organizations to move their agenda forward on a national stage. He graduated from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs with a BA in Political Communication and lives in Washington, DC with his wife Megan.
CREATIVE MANAGER
Kelsey Flynn is an Account Strategist at Change Media Group. She and the CMG team lead the paid media for the Committee to Protect Health Care, supporting with video production, ad campaigns, design, and more to move state and national campaigns forward. She has a BA in Advertising Management with nearly a decade of project management experience. She currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her family.
CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER
Sydney Goodman joined the Committee to Protect team in 2024 and is passionate about ensuring everyone has access to affordable and high quality health care. Based in Chicago, IL, Sydney recently graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a master’s in public health. She is committed to lifting up the voices of medical professionals and making a positive impact on our health care system.
CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Jodi Helsel joined the Committee to Protect team in 2020 and is committed to advancing health equity. Previously, she has organized for national, state, and local candidate campaigns across the country. Jodi hails from San Diego, CA and graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio. She currently resides in Chicago.
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
Az has 20-plus years of experience in journalism, political and corporate communications, health care and marketing. He is the founder of Java Solo Communications, a PR and communications agency. He lives in Muskegon, Mich., with his wife and their two sons.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Annika most recently spearheaded the Battleground State Communications program in Michigan for Priorities USA. Previously, she worked for the Michigan House Democrats and the Michigan Department of State, moving messages to elect champions of affordable health care and inform about voting rights and secure elections. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Annika worked for strong female leaders in the Michigan Legislature. She currently resides in Flint.
CAMPAIGN MANAGER
Becca came to the Committee with a background in state-level electoral and policy campaign management. After graduating from the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy, she led legislative, ballot proposal, and issue advocacy campaigns across Michigan and worked to protect voting access in Washington State. Becca now calls Washington, DC home.
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Caitlin joined the Committee in 2023 with a strong background in campaign finance and compliance, fundraising, and operations. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in Political Science. Caitlin cares deeply about making sure affordable health care and reproductive freedom is a reality for all individuals. She lives in her hometown of Lansing, MI.
COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE
DIGITAL STRATEGIST
Amelia is a communications professional with expertise in digital strategy, fundraising, and design, with a focus on developing data-driven strategies to reach activists with the right message at the right time. She graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT
Chris Savage is a long-time community organizer and writer. He was the publisher and primary contributor to the progressive website Eclectablog for 15 years. He also co-hosted The GOTMFV Show podcast which featured political commentary and interviews with notable guests ranging from state legislators to U.S. Senators and from historians to comedians.
He was on the Executive Board of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party in the Ann Arbor area of Michigan for 12 years, including eight years as the group’s Chair. During that time, the WCDP dramatically expanded its voter turnout program, becoming the most successful County Party-level voter turnout program in the state involving several hundred volunteers each election cycle.
After over 30 years as an industrial chemist, Chris retired in 2020 to pursue his true passion: writing about and for progressive issues, policies, and organizations. He joined the Committee as a content provider in the spring of 2021. Among other things, he currently produces/curates The Midweek Page, a weekly newsletter for Committee Advocates and Members to keep them informed on health care-related news, public policy, and politics.
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
Emma Thomas is a progressive communications expert and the Managing Director of Feldman Strategies, where she provides state and national media relations, campaign organizing, and public affairs strategy to advocacy organizations and political efforts. Her background is in LGBTQ+ and reproductive health, rights, and justice advocacy. Emma is a Connecticut native and lives in Washington, DC. She holds a BA in Journalism with a certificate in Women, Leadership, and Public Policy from American University.
WANT TO WORK WITH US?
View open positions at the Committee to Protect Health Care
Committee to Protect Health Care Overview:
The Committee to Protect Health Care, composed of over 11,000 doctors and advocates across the United States, fights to expand health care access, lower costs for patients, and protect reproductive rights. Using advocacy campaign tactics, we hold anti-health care politicians accountable and fight back against special interests that put profits before patients.
Our team is passionate about creating lasting change and improving access to health care for all Americans.
Position Overview:
We are seeking a motivated and dynamic individual to join our team as a Fundraising Associate. The ideal candidate will be responsible for supporting our fundraising efforts through donor outreach, donor research, donor outreach management, and administrative tasks associated with fundraising efforts. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is eager to contribute to a meaningful cause and grow their career in fundraising.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in developing and implementing fundraising strategies to achieve goals,
- Conduct research on potential donors and grant opportunities,
- Prepare grant proposals, sponsorship packages, and donor solicitation materials,
- Maintain donor databases and ensure accurate and up-to-date records,
- Perform administrative support associated with fundraising efforts including but not limited to, scheduling meetings, managing correspondence, and preparing reports,
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment of fundraising activities with organizational objectives, and
- Manage donor outreach as needed.
Qualifications:
- 1-3 years or cycles of experience in fundraising, development, or related fields (internship experience may be considered),
- Strong written and verbal communication skills,
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities,
- Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record-keeping,
- Proficiency in Google Applications and donor management software (experience with
- EveryAction is a plus),
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, and/or
- Passion for the organization’s mission and a commitment to making a difference.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience, will consider contract proposals,
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off,
- Opportunities for professional development and advancement within the organization, and
- Meaningful work that directly contributes to positive social change.
Location:
- Chicago, IL and Washington DC candidates preferred, remote positions will be considered
How to Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position to caitlin@committeetoprotect.org. In your cover letter, please also include examples of
your experience in fundraising or related fields, as well as any relevant accomplishments or
contributions to previous organizations.
The Committee has a clear vision: To be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to work, stay, and build a better health care future for America. To transform American health care, we must reflect the diversity of America. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities, veterans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Summary:
The Committee to Protect Health Care is an advocacy organization that seeks universal, quality health care for all Americans. Led by physicians and medical professionals, and supported by a full staff of campaign professionals, the Committee effects change in health care policy and politics through medical professional organizing, paid media, lobbying, and earned media strategies. We strive to win in both legislative and electoral arenas.
Campaigns that Organizers will participate in include, but are not limited to: Ballot campaigns to advance abortion rights; accountability for GOP politicians who support a national abortion ban at the presidential and congressional levels; electing health care champions at the state level; passing state health care reforms like lowering prescription drug costs or state based public options; or federal reforms to lower the cost of care; and membership drives.
The Committee’s Campaign Organizers develop and execute campaigns and programs to achieve electoral, educational, and policy goals in a portfolio of states. Organizers ensure that the physician constituency of the Committee has the resources, access, and ability to work with the campaign machinery of the Committee and plug into the most important campaigns shaping the health care landscape in the United States. Organizers cultivate state and local partnerships across their assigned regions in the service of their campaigns plans and our organizational goals.
Organizers are expected to have organizing and campaign execution expertise and experience. Qualified candidates often have experience in ballot initiatives, labor unions, candidate campaigns, or legislative caucus experience. Ideal candidates for this position will also have a passion for health care politics, strong communication skills, and demonstrated commitment to the Committee’s core mission. Organizers will join a talented team of professionals committed to a high degree of achievement and a positive, no-drama, fast-paced work environment.
Position Toplines:
Title: Organizer
Reports To: Campaigns Manager
Annual Salary Range: $45,000 – $65,000
Health Care: 100% premium reimbursement for ACA exchange policies
Phone Stipend: Yes
401(K): Yes
Location: Remote available, preference given to applicants in Chicago, IL or the following states: NV, AZ, CO, MN, WI, FL, GA, PA
Start Date: TBD
Travel: Some travel required, paid for or reimbursed
Responsibilities:
Build and execute campaigns (60% of time):
- Work closely with external partners and across internal departments to develop unique campaigns to protect and expand abortion access at the state level; lower prescription drug costs; expand insurance coverage; support implementation of health care policy wins; hold politicians accountable when they impede progress; elect health care champions into public office; and more
- Liaise with internal departments to seamlessly and speedily execute campaign programming; examples include: interviews with state and national reporters, organized press events, submission of op-eds and LTEs, grassroots lobbying and testimony, and ad campaigns
- Assist the Committee’s communications team generally to generate high volume media coverage within the region, including sharing relevant news updates and flashpoints for comms team to use as media hooks.
Organize, grow, and maintain membership (25% of time):
- Identify and recruit medical professional volunteer prospects for various campaigns; prioritizing women, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, members of other underrepresented communities, as well as diversity of medical specialty and geographic locations
- Build and execute virtual events to organize and retain large volumes of medical professionals
- Develop and execute plans to increase the number of medical professional members within assigned region
- Serve as the Committee’s primary point of contact for members within assigned region; ensure members are updated regularly on action items and reports of campaigns in their state
- Keep multiple databases up-to-date; provide regular written and verbal updates on regional progress.
Reporting, internal projects, and events (15% of time):
- Submit reports on the progress of regional campaigns and partner support weekly
- Identify surfacing political trends, good stories, and other anecdotes that would benefit the broader organizational interests
- Represent the Committee at public events such as trainings, conferences, and relevant state table meetings
- Ad hoc reports as needed for use in grants, etc.
Qualifications:
- Organizer mindset: willing to call, text, and recruit prospective volunteers and members
- 2 years or 2 cycles of campaign experience
- At-least one cycle of organizing or campaign experience; this can include significant volunteer experience but staff or volunteer management is preferred
- Introductory knowledge and understanding of how politics and legislation works at the state level
- Experience developing and executing field, paid media, earned media OR legislative campaigns
- Proven track record of building relationships with external organizations, grassroots activists, and elected officials
- Strong writing, research, and communication skills
- Strong listening, persuasion, facilitation and interpersonal skills
- Excellent self management skills, with the ability to work independently
- Commitment to diversity in our volunteer base
- Ability to work varied hours including nights, weekends and holidays
- Willingness to travel as needed
- Relentlessly goal-oriented: enjoys working toward and achieving ambitious goals; willing to overcome any obstacle that gets in the way of meeting goals
To apply please submit a resume and short introductory email to caitlin@committeetoprotect.org.
Please include the position title in your subject line.
The Committee to Protect Health Care has a clear vision: To be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to work, stay, and build a better health care future for America. To transform American health care, we must reflect the diversity of America. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities, veterans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
