Alice Coombs, MD

Alice Coombs, MD

At-Large Representative
Sharon, Massachusetts
Specialty: Internal Medicine/Anesthesiology/Critical Care

I currently chair the Workforce Diversity Committee for the AMA Commission to End HealthCare Disparities (HCD) and the Massachusetts Sub-Committee of the States Commission to Eliminate HCD. As Chair, and in conjunction with the Committee, we have developed recommendations and objectives to increase racial and ethnic diversity. I believe that “race matters” not only in the delivery of health care but also HCD education and awareness of health care providers. The best way to learn a new language is to “speak it, listen to it, master it” with someone who is proficient in it. Even though patients may literally speak the same language as their physicians, I also believe that cultural competency goes beyond words. “To change the Face of medicine” is my goal through a number of strategies, including pipeline initiatives such as reaching 100,000 kids with the MAC DBTS Programs. This national campaign is supported by some outstanding and enthusiastic doctors representing numerous states. We have accomplished 10% of our goal.

Other projects/activities include:

1. Journal of the National Medical Association publications on racial and ethnic physician discrimination and factors impacting minority physicians’ practice viability
2. Vice Chair for the Board of Registration in Medicine Patient Care Assessment Massachusetts– Patient Safety and Quality Reviews/ Critical Events
3. OMSS Representative Mass Advocate for physician self-governance
4. Advocate for physician directed evidence-based healthcare
5. Health Care Literacy through Patient – Advisory Member
6. Assistant Secretary Treasurer Massachusetts Medical Society
7. Trustee of MMS 2004-Current
8. High School Sunday School Teacher - Bethel AME, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts