Herbie Duber, MD, MPH, FACEP

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Years in practice: 17

Works at: University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle

Society memberships: American College of Emergency Medicine

Why WSMA: WSMA represents a group of like-minded professionals interested in making a difference for their colleagues and their patients. In many ways it is a professional “home” where I can be with others who have a shared experience and mission.

Why serve on WSMA’s Board: Having previously served as the president of the Washington Chapter of the American College of Emergency Medicine, I was interested in looking at issues that affect the entire house of medicine. Despite our different practice environments, we face many similar challenges that require a unified voice. I wanted to serve on the WSMA board in order to advocate for our physician community and our shared goals of creating a meaningful clinical practice, a supportive practice environment, and policies that support our patients and community.

Why should physicians lead: Physicians have a unique voice and experience. Our work is mission driven and we have the opportunity to work with patients across the socioeconomic spectrum. We also bring a pragmatic approach to problem solving based on the scientific method. We understand risk and uncertainty in way that helps us make challenging decisions while considering many different viewpoints.

How do you help further WSMA’s vision to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care: As a WSMA Board Member, I will focus my time on advocating for policies that improve the environment in which we practice. That means fighting for clinical settings free of violence; practicing medicine without fear of reprisal or lawsuits; fair compensation that recognizes our years of education and training; and protecting the physician-patient relationship. Furthermore, as a public health expert, I will work to ensure that evidence-based policies are adopted in WA to keep our communities safe and healthy.

Fun fact about you: Between college and medical school, I spent a year in Panama at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute studying the effects of poaching on seed and seedling dispersal.