OrthoPAC Luncheon Dishes Advocacy Updates and Jokes

Will Flanary, MD, ophthalmologist and social media personality more commonly known as “Dr. Glaucomflecken,” made his return to the Political Action Committee of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoPAC) Donor Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday. In front of a large gathering of OrthoPAC supporters, Dr. Glaucomflecken delivered his signature blend of advocacy and humor as he shared his personal journey from physician to patient to comedian and healthcare advocate.

During his third year of medical school, Dr. Glaucomflecken faced an unexpected cancer diagnosis, turning his world upside down. He later had a second bout with cancer, followed by an unexplained cardiac arrest. His wife, Kristin, performed 10 minutes of CPR until the paramedics arrived. In recounting his wife’s experience as a “co-survivor of medical trauma,” Dr. Glaucomflecken offered a powerful reminder of the importance of ensuring that patients, as well as the loved ones who experience medical emergencies alongside them, feel seen by the healthcare system.

With a newfound perspective on life after his medical emergencies, Dr. Glaucomflecken turned to creating comedic videos on social media to shine a light on the challenges patients face in navigating an increasingly complex healthcare system. Social media not only helped him connect with others who had experienced similar hardships but also solidified his role as a healthcare advocate. His videos began going viral, generating tens of thousands of comments from everyday Americans sharing their own struggles with prior authorization, claims denials, or a host of other health policy issues. He realized there was “an enormous knowledge gap between what [physicians] all know to be true and what the public perceives” about the American healthcare system.

Speaking to a room of fellow physicians, Dr. Glaucomflecken emphasized how education is a key aspect of advocacy. “You don’t always have to know how to fix healthcare,” he said. “If you do, that’s great; but advocacy can also just be showing people where the problems are.”

Although Dr. Glaucomflecken’s use of funny sketches and different characters has proven to be a successful educational tool, he emphasized that one need not be a comedian or have a large social media following to be a successful social media advocate. He stressed that the key to educating other potential advocates is storytelling. “I like to joke that I trick people into learning about the healthcare system by telling a story and making it funny,” he said.

He also stated that professionalism does not have to come at the expense of expressing oneself. He called on the audience to support residents and fellows who show an interest in finding creative ways to advocate for change.

To that end, the AAOS Office of Government Relations (OGR) is committed to partnering with orthopaedic surgeons and providing the tools and resources to ensure they can tell their stories and make their voices heard.

At this year’s AAOS Annual Meeting, OGR launched a newly revamped Advocacy Action Center, making it easier than ever for members to answer Dr. Glaucomflecken’s call to action. With just a few minutes and a cell phone, members can take part in simple, virtual advocacy efforts, such as sending a pre-drafted letter to lawmakers or engaging with legislators on social media. Members can also track advocacy activities, benchmark against peers, and receive recognition as they rise up the new advocacy leaderboard. The Action Center also makes it easy for members to follow in Dr. Glaucomflecken’s footsteps and submit their own video stories about how healthcare policy is impacting their orthopaedic practices.

For AAOS members looking to take their advocacy efforts a step further and serve as advocates in their community, the Action Center also provides resources on engaging with lawmakers in-person. Members can attend town halls, visit congressional offices, and build relationships with policymakers and their staff. Surgeons can also use the Action Center to notify OGR if they have a personal relationship with policymakers and are willing to volunteer as a Congressional Ambassadors to advise policymakers on musculoskeletal issues.

With the right tools and resources, you can enact real change for orthopaedic surgeons. The AAOS Office of Government Relations is committed to ensuring that physician priorities are heard and advanced by policymakers. Visit the Advocacy Action Center to log your advocacy efforts, gain points, and move the needle in healthcare policy.

OrthoPAC is affiliated with and connected to the 501(c)(6) Association. OrthoPAC is not connected to or affiliated with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Brian Doty is senior government relations manager for the AAOS Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C.