I can't begin to tell you how passionate I am about getting this message out to the public! Research indicates that 50% of American physicians have one foot out the door of clinical medicine. There is a murmur underground...doctors are prepared to burn their white coats and walk away from medicine altogether. Physicians vehemently oppose the current state of health care "reform". I am fortunate to have found a beautiful and poignant documentary film produced by Ryan Flesher, MD and Nancy Pando, LICSW of Crash Cart Productions that clearly and poignantly removes the veil of silence and exposes the plight of the American physician. In “The Vanishing Oath” Dr. Flesher takes a courageous and heartfelt look at himself, his profession and the fundamental meaning of medicine. By exploring the entrenched yet growing number of obstacles that doctors face on a daily basis, Dr. Flesher becomes one of the few American physicians to speak openly and clearly about our critically wounded health care system.

“The Vanishing Oath” exposes the myriad ways in which America’s current health care machine undermines doctors’ care-based practices, threatening the quality of health care for all Americans. The documentary explores many oft-ignored health care issues in depth, including: • The consequences of unregulated malpractice law: unnecessary tests, unnecessary fees, defensive (i.e. mediocre) medicine and a culture of mistrust among health care professionals and patients • The decline of the doctor-patient relationship and how it directly inhibits the ability of providing accurate diagnoses and treatments • An ever-expanding paper trail of insurance forms, billing codes and other paperwork that’s largely non-medical yet nonetheless mandatory for medical doctors • America’s plummeting reserve of doctors and the inevitable shortages we will face as the Baby Boomer generation reaches advanced age If you love yourself, your family, your physician and ultimately the future of health care in this nation, please get involved! If we don't act now, Who will Take the Oath? More information about the Chicago Premier at www.tinyurl.com/VOMenker. Tickets may be purchased for the event at 708-448-9450.