Spotlight: Dr. Renee Quarterman, MD — A Physician Who Shows What Solidarity Looks Like (Copy)
Hello from Philadelphia,
In every movement, there are physicians whose presence alone communicates courage, clarity, and commitment. For PAMA, Dr. Renee Quarterman, MD, is one of those leaders.
At a recent gathering, wearing her now‑iconic shirt that reads “actually, I’m in Havana”, Dr. Quarterman stood with organizers in Philadelphia — glasses on, smile steady, and spirit unmistakably aligned with the Cuban people. Her message was simple: physicians have a role in global justice, and that role begins with showing up.
A Grassroots Physician Leader in Philadelphia
Dr. Quarterman is the founder of Philly for Cuba (P4C), a small but powerful grassroots organization dedicated to:
Advocating for Cuban medicine
Supporting underserved communities in Philadelphia and abroad
Building bridges between U.S. clinicians and the Cuban public health
Her work is grounded in the belief that healthcare is a hemispheric responsibility, not a national one.
Through consistent organizing, community education, and coalition‑building, she has created a space where physicians, students, and neighbors can learn about Cuba’s medical model and contribute to humanitarian support.
PAMA is Proud to Announce Fiscal Sponsorship of P4C
This month, PAMA formally began fiscal sponsorship of Philly for Cuba — a milestone that strengthens both organizations.
· Fiscal sponsorship allows P4C to operate with nonprofit infrastructure.
· Dr. Quarterman can now focus on advocacy, education, and community work — not administrative paperwork.
· P4C gains access to the PAMA network, financial transparency systems, and logistical support for humanitarian projects.
This is exactly what PAMA was built for: empowering physicians to lead grassroots humanitarian efforts without being buried in administrative tasks.
Why This Matters for Physicians
Dr. Quarterman represents the kind of physician PAMA exists to support — someone who sees suffering in the world and refuses to look away.
Many doctors feel the same. They want to help. They want to act. They want to contribute. But they are overwhelmed by:
· clinical schedules
· administrative burdens
· lack of organizational infrastructure
· uncertainty about where to start
PAMA removes those barriers.
· We handle the admin
· Physicians lead the mission
· Communities receive the impact
A Message to Our Members and Future Members
Dr. Quarterman’s work shows what becomes possible when a physician’s passion meets a supportive coalition.
With PAMA behind her, she can:
· Organize humanitarian support
· Mobilize medical supplies
· Educate communities
· Advocate for underserved populations
· Build a stronger U.S.–Cuba medical solidarity movement
We congratulate Dr. Renee Quarterman, MD, not only for her leadership, but for reminding us that one physician can spark a movement when given the right support.
