Naomi Busch, MD

Specialty: Menopause medicine, family medicine.

Years in Practice: 24.

Works at: Seattle Menopause Medicine, Seattle.

Society memberships: International Menopause Society, The Menopause Society, American Academy of Family Physicians.

Why WSMA: I see the WSMA as a champion for patient and physician rights. It provides advocacy by educating physicians, fostering leadership, and actively monitoring and influencing health care policy to uphold patients’ rights. It is important to be paying attention to what is happening within our local, state, and federal governments.

Why serve on WSMA’s board: I enjoy serving on the WSMA board as it allows me an opportunity to participate in influencing the health care policies at our state level. As one voice I felt that no one was listening, but within this organization I can see the difference we can make when we come together. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the leadership on the board and our executive team.

Why should physicians lead: Physicians are the backbone of our health care system, and their engagement and curiosity are paramount for good patient outcomes. Over the last 20+ years I have seen, heard, and experienced the burnout that happens when you lose your voice in larger organizations or feel that you cannot make a difference. It is only through physician leadership that we will continue to prioritize patient care over profit margins. We are the best advocates for patients as well as for ourselves as we are delivering the actual care. When health care organizations are led by people who have no patient care experience, there is a lack of awareness of how difficult working within the current care-delivery systems is, and this leads further to physician dropout. We need to stay engaged and physician leadership helps to promote that sense of “we can change things” rather the sense of “it is how it is.”

How do you help further WSMA’s vision to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care: I try to encourage other physicians to engage in leadership, attend WSMA events, and advocate for themselves. Serving on the board gives me access to political advocacy and I can help by educating other physicians.

Fun fact about you: I enjoy traveling and my ultimate bucket list activity would be to visit Antartica—even though most of our vacations are to places that are sunny and warm!