Founder, Stand Up (for) Doctors! | Author & Speaker | Advocacy for Physician Well-being & Systemic Change | 3x Cancer Survivor & PT | Reclaiming Humanity in Medicine through Connection and Storytelling.
For many, a third cancer diagnosis would be a point of exhaustion; for Kim Downey, it became a portal to a deeper understanding of the healers she relied upon. While navigating her own health journey, she formed a profound bond with her radiologist—a physician whose expertise was matched only by his humanity. When she learned of his tragic death by suicide, the grief was not just personal; it was a wake-up call. Kim realized that the very people who save lives are often operating within a system that fails to protect their own.
This pivotal moment transformed Kim from a patient into a fierce advocate. Driven by the belief that “connection is not a luxury in medicine—it’s a lifeline,” she founded Stand Up (for) Doctors!, a platform dedicated to humanizing healthcare by amplifying the voices of those behind the white coats.
The Clinical Roots of Advocacy
Kim’s journey began at Ithaca College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. For over three decades, she practiced as a pediatric physical therapist, working with organizations like Integrated Pediatric Services and the New Milford Public Schools. This professional background provided her with a front-row seat to the daily pressures of the healthcare system. However, it was her parallel journey as a three-time survivor of thyroid and breast cancer that truly bridged the gap between clinician and patient, giving her a dual perspective that has become her greatest asset in advocacy.
Turning Pain into a Global Platform
Following the loss of her physician, Kim’s career took a bold shift toward systemic reform. In October 2023, she launched Stand Up (for) Doctors!, evolving it from a personal mission into a multi-media ecosystem. Today, she hosts a weekly podcast and publishes a Substack newsletter that spotlights the human side of medicine—moving the conversation from “burnout” to “moral injury” and “reclaiming humanity.”
Her work is marked by her role as a regular contributor to KevinMD and her work as the lead editor of the White Coats book series. Her first book, White Coats, Courageous Hearts, and its sequel, White Coats, Human Hearts, serve as anthologies of raw, true stories from doctors navigating a system that often demands extraordinary self-sacrifice. As Chrissie Ott, MD, notes: “Kim brings both vulnerability and vision to the table… her commitment to amplifying the voices of others is felt across every platform she touches.”
A Voice for the Healers
Kim’s influence extends far beyond her digital platforms. As a Community Ambassador for Medicine Forward and an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and the Clinician Burnout Foundation, she works at the intersection of policy and empathy. She advocates for mental health access for healthcare workers and works to dismantle the toxic culture of perfectionism in medicine.
Her impact is best summarized by Dr. Amna Shabbir, who describes Kim as a “Fierce advocate for physician well-being… inspiring and dedicated—sharing her authentic journey and helping all who come in her circle.” Whether she is organizing physician retreats or speaking at events like the Bullying in Medicine Summit, Kim’s focus remains on “brightening the corner” where she is to catalyze global change.
A Reimagined Legacy
Looking ahead, Kim is focused on expanding the community through initiatives like the Physician Retreat at Windrose on Hudson in October 2026. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that medicine doesn’t heal itself—people do. Her vision for the future is one where the doctor-patient relationship is restored to its sacred status, supported by a system that values well-being over productivity quotas.
Kim’s journey serves as a reminder that advocacy is an act of courage. As she often says, “If your goal is to change the world in one fell swoop, you will fail. But if you brighten the corner where you are, you will succeed.”
Editorial Note
Kim Downey’s story is a powerful testament to the impact one individual can have when they choose to stand up for the humanity of others. Her work invites us all—patients and providers alike—to recognize the courageous hearts behind the white coats and to advocate for a healthcare system that heals the healer.
