Russell Gombosi, MD

I have been a member of the Board of Directors for 6 years and the treasurer for 3 years, volunteering my time in talents to further the mission of ACPeds. I suspect my journey to ACPeds began as many other members, namely a deep dissatisfaction with the social stances of the AAP. I am proud to now be part of a pediatric organization that supports their countercultural positions with sound science! I wish to volunteer my time and talents to further the mission of this college as a member of the Board of Directors.

My journey began in rural New Jersey as a child of loving second-generation Americans. Learning and living the importance of faith, family, and hard work (dairy farming) led me on a path through Dartmouth College, Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, med-peds residency at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the US Air Force, achieving the rank of major.  Upon completion of active duty and a short stint with the Native Alaskan Health Service my young family and I settled in North Central Pennsylvania to fulfill my dream of a full scope practice in a rural small-town setting at a FQHC in Blossburg.  12 years later we moved to Williamsport for more opportunities and to be closer to aging parents.  While serving as faculty in the family practice residency I realized that much of the important social science data delineated in ACPeds position statements and scientific papers was being silenced.

Consequently, in 2018 I left the world of employment and started Open Arms Internal Medicine & Pediatrics based on sound Christian principles.  My practice has grown to 7 employees including a physician assistant.  We provide comprehensive care in the traditional sense; outpatient, inpatient, and long-term care facilities.  My wife Juliann and I celebrated 35 years together and we are proud to say that we have raised 3 lovely and talented daughters, though we can boast of no grandchildren yet. Each week in mass I pray for wisdom and love so that I may be the best physician, father, husband, and, most of all, Christian that I am meant to be!

In conclusion, I appreciate the honor of serving on the ACPeds Board of Directors. Whether Christian or not, it is very important that we provide a strong voice in support of traditional family values and welcome those of all faiths who share this passion for what is truly best for children. These values are under constant assault by the ‘politically correct’ culture and an organization such as ACPeds is essential to combat this and stand up for what research and history have proven to be best for children!