In the beginning of the human race, before there was such a thing as healthcare, there were healers providing souls with relief from physical agony and mental distress. Whether they were sorcerers or barbers, these first human healers improved the quality of life.

With the evolution of the human race, civilizations were established and healers had to organize. Medicine men shared their knowledge with each other and passed it to the next generation. The Hippocratic Oath to "Do no harm" not only helped physicians practice quality medicine, but also inspired patient trust.

The collaborative spirit of our medical organizations now is no different. More than 150 years ago, the California Medical Association was formed in response to the cholera epidemic during the gold rush. Individual doctors failed to tackle the epidemic and, frustrated with the crooks taking advantage of the situation to make money, decided to join hands. Together they created medical schools to improve standards, licensed physicians to improve quality and created state public health programs to eradicate communicable diseases. These pioneers brought county medical societies under the umbrella of the CMA and connected with the American Medical Association to speak with one voice.

Today, healthcare is big business and the fastest-growing industry in the United States. Corporations are pocketing huge profits, dividing doctors and destroying the bond between patients and physicians. Medicare cuts, care for the uninsured, malpractice expenses and medical education costs are driving doctors insane. Frustrated with regulations and poor reimbursement, and penalized for everything that goes wrong, doctors are losing their faith in the healthcare system.

Physicians in organized medicine continue to fight these battles on a daily basis, but we can only be as strong and effective as the members who support us. In Riverside County, only 60 percent of the practicing physicians have chosen to join the Riverside County Medical Association and the CMA. Think of the clout we would have if every physician in Riverside County belonged.

We should not forget the tremendous success we enjoy when we fight as one. We created MICRA and we won our battle against health plans in our RICO lawsuits. A physician acting independently could never have achieved these victories.

It is time to stand together to fight for fair reimbursement for every doctor and basic healthcare for every patient. As we begin a new year, it is time to take a new oath: the oath of solidarity. MDs, DOs, IMGs--we're all in this together. To fight against the corporate influence over the healthcare industry, we have to gather every weapon each of us has, regardless of our specialty.

My wish is that every physician would belong to the RCMA, the CMA and the AMA. Together, we could restore the dignity in healthcare, so the best people will be attracted to this field and the United States will continue to provide the best medicine in the world.