Alice T. Chen, MD

Hi everyone! I'm a doctor and a mom. I believe that changing the world for the better requires us to be immersed in the things that bring us joy, connection, and purpose - so we always know what we're trying to build. My hope for this space is to share in both calls to action and calls to love.

“Copenhagen reported that 62% of its residents are now commuting to work or school by bike — an increase from 52% in 2015 & 36% in 2012, when the City Council launched a 14-year-plan to improve the quality, safety & comfort of cycling.” #Copenhagen chose. They keep choosing even better every year.

Twenty-five years ago, this country faced its darkest day and met it with extraordinary courage. In the face of terror, first responders, office workers, and ordinary people chose each other without question or hesitation.

343 All these years later The number comes instantly comes to mind 343 Flowers and teddy bears at every fire station Notes from children Candles Funerals for weeks Leaders with decades of hard wired courage Young new grads Running toward danger I’m so sorry we lost you all And all you tried to save

Never seen a storm like this Nonstop flashing sky Reflecting in the drenched streets below Roars seemingly from the heavens themselves Humbling to any human Awake to witness How small we are indeed Grateful for these walls, windows, and roofs Keeping us from washing away In Nature’s midnight flex

Yesterday, I listened to Artemis II's Christina Koch describing Earth surrounded by blackness. We are all so alike, kept alive by our precious planet. Then, I checked the news in a panic after the President threatened to annihilate a whole nation. Which world do you choose? I pick Christina's.

Flying over the green hills of California, these turning windmills feel like hope. #MOMSky #MedSky

Doctor friends! Roon has just launched a physician community - a virtual doctor's lounge where we can share clinical knowledge and experiences. I'm a Founding Physician and am having so much fun connecting with colleagues around the country. Come join me at www.roon.com!

6 Surgeons General: RFK Jr is a threat to the health of Americans. Appointed by every Republican and Democratic President since George Bush Sr, they join with one voice today. My doctor friends around the country agree with them. Please share: wapo.st/3VTALll

🌎 This week, HCWH Board Chair @dralicechen.bsky.social joined @repraulruizmd.bsky.social & @kellymorrisonmn.bsky.social —both physicians—at the Capitol to oppose EPA’s proposal to repeal the Endangerment Finding. 🩺 Health leaders: GHGs are harming patients now. #ClimateHealth #EPA

Please consider a donation to a fundraiser for a beautiful woman, Elenora, a devoted single mother who faced many challenges with a smile on her face and recently passed away. I mentored her daughter, who is raising funds to give her mom a proper funeral. www.gofundme.com/f/to-honor-e... #MOMSky

If you're looking for pockets of hope and inspiration as I am: here's a fantastic video about a hospital in Colombia creating sustainability - cleaner air, cleaner water, less toxic waste, healthier people and planet. It's part of Health Care Without Harm's global work. youtu.be/y78oBieWvQY?...

Meet the speakers shaking things up at #2025PWIMS! From sobriety advocate Hilary Phelps to health equity leaders like @janetfoutty.bsky.social, Dr. Monica Peek, @dralicechen.bsky.social & Dr. Shieva Ghofrany — these trailblazers turn personal stories into powerful impact. Learn more: bit.ly/4cDmW21

I still believe that people matter. I still believe that we all benefit when we make sure all of us have what they need to thrive - education, health, food, clean air and water. I want to believe that many more people agree than you’d think from today’s news. #MOMSky #MedSky

Medicaid isn’t a handout. It’s the nurse at your grandma’s bedside. The doctor delivering a baby in a rural clinic. The meds keeping a disabled neighbor breathing. Half of U.S. kids rely on it. Call it what it is: Compassion made policy. Cutting it is cruelty, plain and simple. #VoteNo #BBB

1 in 5 people in the U.S. rely on Medicaid. Cutting it means cutting care for kids, parents, the elderly, the disabled & the working poor. Tell Congress: We will remember your vote. Vote NO on OBBBA. #SaveMedicaid #PatientsOverPolitics

Call Congress at 202-224-3121 and tell them to #VoteNO!

My friend, pediatrician Dr. Abhay Dandekar shares the real world impact on health of HR. 1 and Medicaid cuts. Please share. #MOMSky #MedSky #VoteNO

I'm a primary care doctor and a mom. I can think of few things that are as important to our lives as our health. Call Congress and tell them: Their budget bill is bad for our health. Call them every day that health matters. #MedSky #MOMSky

No Kings Day coming up fast. Find a rally near you. Bring a colleague or two. This is for our health - our patients, our communities, our climate, and so much more. @physiciandemocracy.medsky.social @dralicechen.bsky.social #medsky

The public is increasingly connecting the dots between climate change and their health. As trusted messengers, health professionals can help turn that concern into action. Join us to make your voice heard: bit.ly/Join-MSCCH

Really great piece calling on philanthropy to take concrete steps to "Act Boldly Now" and "Act Boldly For the Long Term" to save lives and strengthen high-impact NGOs. ssir.org/articles/ent... #MedSky #MOMSky

Despite all the upheaval, public health is continuing to do its work to keep the American people healthy. Leading public health organizations are hosting a free public webinar on the State of the Measles Outbreak on May 27. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/measles-20... #MOMSky #MedSky

“In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted... Art is the crucible that brings people together. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. That’s why art is a threat. That’s why we are a threat to autocrats & fascists.” Robert De Niro • Cannes 🎬 1/3🧵

This abbreviated quote from the article is as scary as it is truthful: “Healthcare is delayed for weeks, even months. A simple infection, easily treated, can become a life-threatening emergency. Cancer screenings are postponed, and small tumors to spread undetected”. People will die needlessly.

Really helpful read by my friend Dr. Evan Saulino for anyone fighting for Medicaid and rural health access: We’re rural Oregon doctors. Medicaid cuts will disproportionately hurt rural Oregonians. oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/05/14/w... #MOMSky #MedSky

Even today, physicians have outsized power to push our society to protect people's health. My perspective piece in NEJM with hubby Vivek Murthy is out in print today and has an audio interview attached too. Please take a look, share, and let us know your thoughts! nej.md/42ThILc #MedSky #MOMSky

“There is so much beauty in what we can learn through science, in how complicated life is, and in trying to understand how it works. It’s what motivates me to wake up every morning.” A beautiful piece baring the heart of a scientist who should not be in detention. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...

Calm but Powerful We don’t want luxury. We want care. A clinic that calls back. A therapist who gets it. A future where our children don’t fall through cracks. We are #MomSky And we’re just getting started.

Today, Health Care Without Harm is launching our Health Sector CARES Pledge. Climate change is harming health, and the health sector is taking action and moving forward because our patients can’t wait. us.noharm.org/climate-smar... #MedSky #MOMSky @us.noharm.org @practicegreenhealth.org

We didn’t protect ourselves and our kids from the dark side of social media a decade ago. We have a chance to do better with AI, which is far more powerful. I encourage all humans to watch Tristan Harris’s powerful new TED talk laying out the promise and peril ahead. youtu.be/6kPHnl-RsVI #MOMSky

On a flight to Atlanta. Higher than usual percentage of people in masks. Maybe because Atlanta is home to the CDC. Maybe because I’m going to a healthcare conference. I’m wearing one because I’m done with the school year’s viruses. That’s all. Masks and germs should be apolitical. #MOMSky #MedSky

Colleagues around the country have been asking what they can do to protect health in the face of massive policy and funding changes. @drvivekmurthy.bsky.social and I wrote this piece in the @nejm.org to share our thoughts on The Power of Physicians in Dangerous Times. nej.md/42ThILc

I’m looking forward to a big dose of hope and collective action at #CleanMed this week - the annual gathering of health systems and physicians working together to move our health sector toward sustainability, climate action, and better health for all.

Health impacts and cost from climate change are increasing. Information is power. Here’s a great new Climate Health Cost Forecasters for U.S. employers to estimate increased employee health costs in the next 10 years so they can take steps to prepare. www.healthaction.org/whatsnew/cli...

Colleagues around the country have been asking what they can do to protect health in the face of massive policy and funding changes. @drvivekmurthy.bsky.social and I wrote this piece in the @nejm.org to share our thoughts on The Power of Physicians in Dangerous Times. nej.md/42ThILc

Go NOAA go! keep putting out all of the important information that we taxpayers paid for and benefit from! #EarthDay

Fantastic piece on moving forward to document the state and importance of our natural resources in America. So important. Trump Tried to Derail Our Work. We Banded Together, and Moved Forward. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/o...

#ThanksACA 15 years ago, I worked with 15,000 doctors across all 50 states to help pass the ACA. Today I think of the millions of people who have been able to see a doctor when they are sick, get care for their diabetes and cancer, and go to bed knowing they are covered. Grateful. #MOMSky

Magnolias have arrived in DC! A much needed reminder of the possibilities of renewal and beauty at winter’s end.