Internal medicine physician Dr. Anne Pariser longed for an opportunity to serve others after moving to Columbus from the Washington, DC area earlier this year. She had spent the more than 30 years volunteering at the Arlington Free Clinic in Virginia.

Dr. Pariser has always had a passion for people, which she fulfilled working at the in the Department of Health and Human Services, in both the National Institutes of Health and Federal Drug Administration. People were also at the core of her work more recently as a traveling physician for Veterans Affairs in New York and the Indian Health Service in Montana.

To keep the heart of volunteering in her new chapter in Columbus, Dr. Pariser sought opportunities while working part time at Southeast Health. She found her footing at the Physicians CareConnection (PCC), where she began serving in November. She said it has helped her feel more a part of the Columbus community, allowing her to meet the people who make this city special. 

“The work PCC is doing for the people of Columbus is extremely important,” said Dr. Pariser. “PCC provides essential healthcare support within Columbus and provides invaluable benefits to patients and volunteers alike.”

Meeting strangers who become friends and having life-changing experiences are reasons she encourages others to volunteer as well. 

PCC has an urgent need for healthcare volunteers in all capacities, especially primary care physicians. Find out more information and sign up to volunteer here.

If you have been seeking a way to contribute and lead – now is the time. There are new opportunities with the Columbus Medical Association and Ohio State Medical Association. Both organizations are seeking physicians with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas so that we can collectively learn, grow and evolve.  

CMA Board of Directors 

The CMA Board of Directors is looking for CMA members interested in serving on the Board and helping guide the direction of the organization. The CMA Board term is two years beginning June 1, 2026, and meets bi-monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.  

Candidates are vetted by the Board and voted on by the membership. In making the selections, they consider equal representation of the total membership regarding medical specialty, hospital affiliation, diversity, and geographical location. You must be a CMA member. 

• How to Apply: If you are interested, send your CV and qualifications to Lisa Oyer
• Deadline: February 1, 2026

OSMA House of Delegates Representing 7th District 

OSMA is seeking candidates for their House of Delegates; Columbus sits in District 7. Delegates represent the members of their and make decisions for what is best for the entire membership. They participate in a district caucus meeting, which is prior to the OSMA Annual Meeting each year, to review resolutions submitted for consideration to the OSMA House of Delegates. Candidates must be a member of OSMA and meet their selection requirements. Learn more here.  

OSMA’s Annual Meeting will take place from April 10-12, 2026 in Columbus.  

• How to Apply: Complete the OSMA Delegate Candidate Application 
• Deadline: February 10, 2026 
  
   

As a lifelong learner, Sarita Pattisam was inspired to pursue a career in medicine because of her love for science and helping others. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Otterbein University, she is now studying at Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Pattisam is interested in internal medicine and would eventually like to join a gastroenterology fellowship.

Born in Dublin and well-acquainted with Columbus, Pattisam calls this place home and feels supported by her extensive medical network, which offers her space to grow and learn.

Thanks to her school’s newsletter, she learned of the Columbus Medical Association and took immediate advantage of attending events to connect with local, like-minded physicians and future physicians. In October, she was one of three medical students selected to present the 50-year awards at the CMA’s Annual Celebration.

“It was a great honor to recognize such dedicated physicians who have spent their lives serving others,” she said. “Their careers embody lifelong learning and compassionate care, which are values I hope to emulate.”

Pattisam has also taken advantage of learning about all the opportunities available at the CMA’s Medical Student Specialty Fair.

“It was an amazing opportunity to connect one-on-one with physicians from a wide range of specialties and learn more about their unique paths in medicine.”

Outside of central Ohio, Pattisam draws inspiration from the late primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall as a leader with strong values that guided her career.

“Her compassion, curiosity, and lifelong dedication to understanding and protecting life are qualities I deeply admire.”

While her future is still being written, Pattisam knows her own values will be central in her career. In 50 years, she can see herself as a semi-retired gastroenterologist who volunteers at free clinics and tends to her horses on a small rural farm, using fresh ingredients to make the perfect sourdough bread from scratch, and skills from working as a wrangler in Wyoming during undergrad.