What does it cost to stand on principle when everything around you says stay quiet?

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In this week’s show, Dr. Ryan Cole led a bold and personal conversation about courage in modern healthcare and what it truly means to stand firm when pressure mounts.

He was joined by Dr. Joseph Varon, Professor of Medicine and President and Chief Medical Officer of the Independent Medical Alliance, and Chris Ekrem, MBA, FACHE, former hospital CEO and healthcare executive.

Chris introduced Cowboy Ethics, including live each day with courage, finish what you start, ride for the brand, and always do what is right. He also explained what it means to be a “Daniel” in healthcare today and why the system needs more leaders willing to take that stand.

Together they explored:

• Standing firm when institutions push back

• Drawing the line before it is too late

• When walking away becomes integrity, not failure

• Why some things in medicine must never be for sale

• How accountability restores trust

The episode also highlighted IMA’s Ethics & Values Declaration and its commitment to Patients Over Profits, because principle must be lived, not merely declared.

Aired Wednesday, March 04, 2026.

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About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

In this week’s show, we asked a critical question about heart health:

Most people focus on cholesterol and blood pressure.

But what if those numbers don’t tell the full story?

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On the IMA Weekly Show, Dr. Mollie James, Senior Fellow with the Independent Medical Alliance, was joined by:

• Robert Long, CEO and Co-Founder, Genesis Health Sciences; President, Glycocalyx Research Institute

• Dr. Hans Vink, Professor of Circulatory Physics, University of Amsterdam

They discussed why traditional markers may miss early risk, what COVID revealed about endothelial injury, and how emerging diagnostics are changing preventive cardiiology.

Originally aired Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

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• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Ancient herbs. Acupuncture. Thousands of years of observation now meeting modern clinical evidence.

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced for millennia — but how does it translate into modern patient care? In this episode, Dr. Ryan Cole, IMA Senior Fellow, speaks with Dr. Kristina Carman, IMA Senior Fellow, Nutritional and Holistic Health, and Dr. Adylle Varon, IMA Senior Fellow, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, about integrating TCM principles into contemporary functional and holistic practice.

The discussion explores how thoughtful integration can expand a clinician’s toolkit while remaining patient-centered and evidence-informed.

They cover:

• What Traditional Chinese Medicine really is — and what it is not

• The TCM diagnostic approach and how it differs from conventional models

• Targeted herbal support for hormones, thyroid health, stress, and gut health

• Practical clinical application examples

• Why integrating TCM with functional medicine may enhance patient outcomes

This episode offers practical insight into how ancient wisdom continues to inform modern healthcare.

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

States across the country have introduced legislation to restore medical choice, protect the doctor–patient relationship, and push back against one size fits all health mandates.

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Cole is joined by Leah Wilson, Esq., Executive Director and Co-founder of Stand for Health Freedom, and Leslie Manookian, President and Founder of the Health Freedom Defense Fund, to discuss the Medical Freedom Act Coalition.

The discussion covered:

• What the Medical Freedom Act Coalition is

• Which states introduced legislation during the 2026 session, and the status of each bill

• Why state level action is central to the fight for medical freedom

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Peptides are increasingly part of conversations around healing, recovery, and chronic disease care — yet many patients and clinicians still have questions about what they are, how they work, and when they’re most appropriate.

In this episode, Dr. Kristina Carman, IMA Senior Fellow, leads a focused discussion with Dr. (JP) Yusuf Saleeby, IMA Senior Fellow in Functional and Integrative Medicine, and Dr. Daniel Bahnmiller, OBGYN and Medical Director, examining how peptides are being thoughtfully integrated into modern clinical practice.

Topics include:

• How peptides work as signaling molecules

• Clinical areas where peptides may offer meaningful benefit

• Patient selection and foundational health considerations

• Safety, ethics, and long-term thinking

• The evolving role of peptides in evidence-informed care

A clear, balanced conversation designed to inform, educate, and bring confidence to an evolving area of medicine.

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Quality sleep is not a luxury. It is a foundation of healing, resilience, and long-term health.

Never miss another webinar! Sign up here: https://imahealth.org/weekly-webinars

In this episode of the IMA Weekly Show, IMA Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Varon was joined by IMA Senior Fellow and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dr. Adylle Varon for an integrative, clinically grounded discussion on sleep health from both Western and Eastern medicine perspectives.

They examined how modern science and ancient healing traditions can work together to address sleep disturbances and promote more restorative sleep.

This episode covered:

• Clinical causes of sleep disruption

• Western medical approaches to sleep health

• Eastern medicine insights on balance and rest

• Integrative strategies to support restorative sleep

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Never miss another webinar! Sign up here: https://imahealth.org/weekly-webinars

Mental health care is undergoing a necessary rethink, led in part by physicians like Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring. In this episode of the IMA Weekly Show, Dr. Ryan Cole is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, both IMA Senior Fellows, for an in-depth discussion on the forces shaping modern mental health care and what that means for patients moving forward.

They explore pharmaceutical involvement in mental health guidelines, ethical concerns surrounding informed consent, and the effects of screen time and emerging AI-based mental health tools. The conversation also addresses seasonal depression and mental health struggles common during winter months.

This episode covered:

• Pharmaceutical influence on psychiatric guidelines

• Informed consent and patient-centered mental health care

• The impact of screen time on mental health

• AI-driven mental health tools and ethical considerations

• Seasonal depression and mental health challenges

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Never miss another webinar! Sign up here: https://imahealth.org/weekly-webinars

Recent updates to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule have left many parents with questions. Knowing what’s changed and how it may affect your family can make healthcare decisions feel a little less overwhelming. This episode continues the conversation with a focus on the newest updates parents are navigating now.

In this episode, pediatrician Dr. Elizabeth Mumper is joined by Dr. Kirk Milhoan, IMA Senior Fellow and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), for a clear and thoughtful discussion on recent changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. They walk through how recommendations are made and share practical guidance for talking with healthcare providers.

This episode covered:

-Recent updates to the childhood immunization schedule

-How ACIP develops vaccine recommendations

-Practical guidance for parents navigating pediatric care

-Questions parents may want to ask their doctor

-How to stay informed as guidance continues to change

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Never miss another webinar! Sign up here: https://imahealth.org/weekly-webinars

The start of a new year often comes with pressure to overhaul your health overnight. But lasting change doesn’t come from extremes, it comes from small, sustainable habits that build over time.

In this episode, Dr. Joseph Varon hosts Dr. Michael Turner and Dr. Kristina Carman for a focused conversation on creating lasting health changes. Topics include sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindset, body feedback, and lab testing before supplementation, centered on building momentum you can maintain all year long.

This episode covered:

• Practical strategies for sustainable health goals

• Sleep, nutrition, and exercise as core pillars

• Smarter supplementation guided by lab work

• Mindset, digital detox, and long-term momentum

Also:

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org

Never miss another webinar! Sign up here: https://imahealth.org/weekly-webinars

In this episode of the IMA Weekly Show, Dr. Elizabeth Mumper was joined by Dr. Kirk Milhoan, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), for a focused discussion on recent changes to U.S. childhood vaccine policy.

They reviewed updates from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including the removal of the CDC’s Hepatitis B recommendation for babies under two months in the United States, and addressed key questions surrounding the childhood immunization schedule.

This episode covered:

- Recent ACIP updates

- Changes to U.S. vaccine recommendations

- How vaccine guidance is developed

- Informed, patient-centered considerations

• Donate: https://imahealth.org/donate/

• Follow: https://imahealth.org/contact/

• Webinar: https://imahealth.org/category/weekly-webinars/

• Treatment: https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/

• Medical Disclaimer: https://imahealth.org/about/terms-and-conditions/

About IMA (Formerly FLCCC Alliance)

The Independent Medical Alliance™ is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and coalition of physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals united by a mission to restore trust and transparency in healthcare. The organization’s mission is one driven by Honest Medicine™ that prioritizes patients above profits and emphasizes long-term wellness and disease prevention through empowerment of both physicians and their patients. With a focus on evidence-based medicine, informed consent, and systemic reform, IMA is driving a movement to create a more compassionate and effective healthcare system.

For more information about the Independent Medical Alliance, visit www.IMAhealth.org