Nominee's Key Links:
Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houman-david-hemmati-md-phd-aa0486/
Resume or CV: https://www.linkedin.com/in/houman-david-hemmati-md-phd-aa0486/
Writing or Publications: https://www.dailywire.com/author/dr-houman-david-hemmati
Website: https://abop.org/physician/?id=30801&bl=true
Video: https://x.com/skmorefield/status/1549595406153170945?s=21&t=pmxGaL_l--1HRzoYJWDudg
Socials: https://x.com/houmanhemmati
Agency or agencies for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Organization name(s) and position(s) for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
U.S. Surgeon General, FDA Commissioner, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Assistant Secretary for Health, Chief Medical Advisor to President, Director of BARDA, Deputy Secretary of Health & Human Services
Policies which the nominator knows the nominee supports or in which they have expertise:
Dr. Houman David Hemmati is a highly accomplished physician, scientist, and public health advocate whose policies and areas of expertise span clinical medicine, biomedical research, ethical pharmaceutical development, and public health policy. His positions are characterized by a strong commitment to evidence-based medicine, individual freedoms, ethical practices, and transparent communication between healthcare providers and patients. Below is a detailed account of the general and specific policies Dr. Hemmati supports or has expertise in, as demonstrated through his professional work, social media advocacy, media appearances, and published writings.
1. Advocacy for Evidence-Based Medicine and Public Health Policies
Risk-Benefit Analysis in Policy Making: Dr. Hemmati emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough risk-benefit analyses for all public health decisions. He argues that policies should be grounded in robust scientific evidence and should consider the potential harms and benefits to society.
Critique of Lockdowns and Mandates:
COVID-19 Response: Dr. Hemmati has been a vocal critic of prolonged lockdowns, school closures, and blanket mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. He contends that such measures often cause more harm than good, particularly affecting children's education, mental health, and social development.
Mask Mandates: He questions the efficacy of widespread mask mandates, especially in schools, citing studies and data that suggest minimal impact on virus transmission while highlighting the psychological and developmental harms to children.
Targeted Interventions Over Broad Restrictions:
Monkeypox Outbreak: In addressing the Monkeypox outbreak, Dr. Hemmati advocated for focused protection of at-risk communities rather than imposing broad societal restrictions. He emphasized transparent communication and respect for affected groups without stigmatization.
Pandemic Preparedness: He supports strategies that protect vulnerable populations through targeted measures rather than sweeping mandates that affect the entire population.
2. Promotion of Individual Autonomy and Informed Consent
Patient Rights: Dr. Hemmati is a staunch advocate for patient autonomy, emphasizing that individuals should have the freedom to make informed decisions about their healthcare without coercion.
Informed Consent:
Transparent Communication: He underscores the ethical obligation of healthcare providers to offer comprehensive information about treatment options, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
Opposition to AB2098: Dr. Hemmati publicly opposed California Assembly Bill 2098, which sought to penalize physicians for spreading "COVID-19 misinformation." He argued that the bill infringed upon the physician-patient relationship and could hinder open, honest communication necessary for informed consent.
3. Opposition to Government Overreach and Preservation of Constitutional Rights
Critique of Government Policies:
Government Overreach: Dr. Hemmati has criticized policies that he perceives as government overreach into individuals' lives, particularly those that infringe upon personal freedoms and rights.
Emergency Powers Abuse: He has expressed concern over the prolonged use of emergency powers by government officials during the pandemic to impose restrictions without sufficient legislative oversight or public input.
Defense of Constitutional Freedoms:
Freedom of Speech: Dr. Hemmati advocates for the protection of free speech, especially for healthcare professionals discussing medical information and policies.
Right to Dissent: He believes in the importance of allowing diverse opinions and critiques of public health policies without fear of censorship or retribution.
4. Advocacy for Transparency and Ethical Practices in Healthcare
Transparency from Pharmaceutical Companies:
Disclosure of Data: Dr. Hemmati calls for pharmaceutical companies to be transparent about clinical trial data, side effects, and efficacy of treatments and vaccines.
Conflict of Interest: He emphasizes the need to address and disclose any conflicts of interest in healthcare decision-making processes.
Ethical Leadership in Public Health:
Accountability: He advocates for holding public health officials accountable for policies that do not align with scientific evidence or that cause undue harm.
Integrity in Decision-Making: Dr. Hemmati stresses that public health decisions should be made with integrity, free from political or corporate influence.
5. Expertise in Biomedical Research and Innovation
Stem Cell Research:
Scientific Contributions: Dr. Hemmati has significant expertise in stem cell research, including the co-discovery of fetal blood-forming stem cells and identifying cancer stem cells in the brain. He is currently involved in the development of stem cell based therapies for fatal pediatric diseases, as well as common diseases like diabetes and Parkinson's.
Regenerative Medicine: His work contributes to advancements in regenerative medicine and potential treatments for various diseases.
Pharmaceutical Development:
Ophthalmic Treatments: As Chief Medical Officer of Vyluma, Inc., and co-founder of Levation Pharma and Optigo Biotherapeutics, Dr. Hemmati leads efforts to develop innovative treatments for eye diseases, including pharmacologic therapies for nearsightedness and long-acting intravitreal drugs for retinal conditions.
Drug Delivery Systems: He has expertise in developing novel drug delivery methods, such as inventing a hydrogel for sustained-release topical drug delivery to the eye.
6. Public Health Preparedness and International Health Policies
Critical Analysis of International Agreements:
WHO Pandemic Treaty: Dr. Hemmati has expressed concerns about the proposed World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic treaty, emphasizing the need to protect national sovereignty and individual rights. He cautions against surrendering control to international bodies without thorough understanding and consent.
International Health Regulations (IHR): He critiques amendments to the IHR that could expand the WHO's authority without sufficient oversight, advocating for transparency and accountability in international health policies.
Recommendations for Future Pandemic Responses:
Balanced Approach: Dr. Hemmati advocates for a balanced approach to pandemic preparedness that does not prioritize prevention over fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Focus on Health Systems Strengthening: He supports strengthening health systems to ensure resilience during pandemics without imposing excessive restrictions on populations.
7. Education and Mentorship
Academic Roles: Dr. Hemmati serves as an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, contributing to the education and mentorship of future medical professionals.
Public Education:
Media Engagement: Through appearances on Fox News, writings for The Daily Wire, and active participation on social media platforms like Twitter (now X), Dr. Hemmati educates the public on health issues, policies, and scientific developments.
Advocacy for Critical Thinking: He encourages critical thinking and informed discussions among the public regarding health policies and medical information.
8. Protection of Children's Well-being
Opposition to Harmful Mandates in Schools:
Mask Mandates: Dr. Hemmati has argued against mandatory masking in schools, highlighting the lack of significant benefit and the potential psychological and developmental harms to children.
School Closures: He criticizes prolonged school closures, emphasizing their detrimental impact on children's education, mental health, and socialization.
Advocacy for Normalcy in Education:
Return to In-Person Learning: He supports the safe return to in-person learning without excessive restrictions, advocating for policies that prioritize children's overall well-being.
Holistic Health: Dr. Hemmati emphasizes the importance of considering the physical, mental, and emotional health of children in policy decisions.
9. Promotion of Public Trust in Healthcare
Building Trust through Transparency:
Open Communication: He believes that transparent communication from health officials and institutions is essential to build and maintain public trust.
Acknowledgment of Uncertainties: Dr. Hemmati advocates for honesty about the uncertainties and evolving nature of scientific knowledge, especially during health crises.
Opposition to Censorship and Misinformation Labels:
Respectful Discourse: He opposes the labeling of differing medical opinions as "misinformation" without thorough scientific debate, promoting a culture of respectful discourse and inquiry.
Protecting Professional Integrity: By defending the rights of physicians to share evidence-based perspectives, he supports maintaining the integrity of the medical profession.
10. Ethical Use of Technology in Healthcare
Innovation with Responsibility:
Advancements in Medical Technology: Dr. Hemmati supports the development and adoption of new medical technologies that improve patient care.
Data Privacy and Ethics: He emphasizes the ethical considerations in using technology, including patient data privacy and informed consent.
Dr. Houman David Hemmati's policies and areas of expertise reflect a comprehensive approach to healthcare that prioritizes individual freedoms, ethical practices, evidence-based medicine, and transparent communication. His advocacy encompasses critical public health issues, biomedical innovation, education, and the protection of constitutional rights. Through his professional work, media engagement, and public discourse, Dr. Hemmati demonstrates a commitment to policies that serve the best interests of individuals and society as a whole.
Nominator's thoughts on what would make this nominee a valuable member of a future Trump Unity Government
1) Is competent in his extensive medical and scientific expertise, demonstrated by his advanced education from institutions like UCLA and Caltech and his leadership roles in developing innovative treatments for eye diseases.
2) Is honest about conflicts of interest and decision-making processes, advocating for transparency from pharmaceutical companies and public health officials to maintain public trust.
3) Is respectful of freedom of speech, the Constitution, and the right to dissent, opposing censorship and supporting open dialogue in healthcare discussions, as seen in his critique of California's AB2098.
4) Has integrity to serve the interests of people over corporate interests, prioritizing patient welfare and ethical practices in all his professional endeavors, including his stance against policies that may harm the physician-patient relationship.
5) Has courage to stand up for what is right, challenging ineffective or harmful policies even in the face of establishment opposition, such as his public criticism of prolonged lockdowns and school closures during the pandemic.
6) Has a proven record of getting positive results for the people, including significant medical research contributions like the co-discovery of fetal blood-forming stem cells as well as new treatments for blinding diseases, and advocating for evidence-based policies that balance public health and individual freedoms.