It was healthcare that pushed me over the edge. Last summer, I was driving in my car, listening to the radio about the Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act and take away the health coverage of 22 million Americans. “Somebody needs to do something,” I thought to myself. “Why not you?” was the next thought.
I am an Obstetrics Gynecology physician and candidate for the US House of Representatives in Tennessee’s First District. I was raised by a schoolteacher and an agricultural county extension agent in rural America. I am the husband of a family doctor with whom I have shared the joy of parenting a wonderful daughter.
I’m an academic physician in a medical school, so in addition to patient care, I also teach medical students, resident physicians in training, and attending physician colleagues both in the US and abroad. My most rewarding international experiences have included 14 trips to Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan where I have promoted extensive maternal safety initiatives in that region. I have co-invented a surgical simulation device which is made in America and sold around the world. One of the most unique aspects of my patient care role at present is work with opioid addicted pregnant women in an effort to decrease drug withdrawal in their newborn infants. These experiences will help me be a better Congressman.
My campaign theme is Responsible Change. Responsible Change denotes planned and thoughtful transformation informed by the best evidence. Responsible Change is the product of analysis and intelligent debate. It is change in direct contrast to the “blow it up and hope for the best” change that we currently see in Washington. Responsible Change resembles the physician’s oath: “First, do no harm.” Responsible Change is fair and equitable, and does not selectively benefit the few or the rich at the expense of others.
The incumbent Congressman in the Tennessee First District is Dr. Phil Roe, also an Ob/Gyn physician. He is one of the more than a dozen Republican physicians in Congress vs two Democratic physicians. We need more Democratic physicians in Congress to advocate for the proper healthcare coverage our nation’s citizens need.
East Tennessee has been a Republican stronghold in the past, but increasing numbers of regional citizens recognize that change is strongly needed. My supporters include Democrats, Independents and Republicans. My campaign is doing well; we have a permanent campaign headquarters in a prominent location, we have hired a professional campaign manager, and our funding efforts out raised the incumbent in the fourth quarter of 2018. I appreciate your support; please take a look at the website olsenforcongress.com .