Board of Directors

John J. Brady, M.D.
Jay E. Carpenter, M.D.
O. David Cartaya, RPh.
Alexander Gimon, PhD.
Robert J. Kelly, Esq.
B. Larry Smith, Esq.
George E. Tragos, Esq.

Advisory Board

Donald J. Amodeo, M.D.
C. Morgan Cooper, M.D.
Carlos M. Cartaya, M.D.
David O. Cartaya, M.D.
Arthur X. Deegan, PhD.
Celia DiMarco, M.D.
James R. Eckart, M.D.
Dean Fauber, M.D.
Michael Jaquith, M.D.
Noreen Johnson, M.D.
Garth McPherson, M.D.
N. Patrick Murphy, M.D.
Richard Sheridan, M.D.
John W. Soshea, M.D.
Fernando Velazques, M.D.
John David Young, M.D.
Patricia Christensen, M.S.
Christopher McCluskey, MSW
Jose A. Ortiz, RPh.
Cathleen Padden, MBA
Sol Pitchon, MA
Jennifer Reedy, M.S.
Carole Griffin, M.S., LLD
Patricia Wermuth, CNFPP
Stuart Baggish, Esq.
Chet Conklin, Esq.
Jan J. Halisky, Esq.
Patricia C. Lancaster, Esq.
Robert J. Lancaster, Esq.
Patricia M. Lee, Esq.
Donald M. O'Leary, Esq.
Joseph R. Park, Esq.
Catherine M. Rinaldo, Esq.
Teresa Cooper-Ward, Esq.
Leslie Beasley, R.N.
Christina Brundage, R.N.
Jana Q. Carpenter, R.N., MS
Ann Cooper, R.N.
Margaret Davis, R.N. MS
Eleanor Drechsel, R.N., MS
Mary Anne Fauber, R.N., CCE
Sally Marlowe, ARNP
Lynda Sparks, R.N.
Demetria Tragos, R.N.
Keith Ward, R.N.
Rev. William E. Anderson
Bishop W. Thomas Larkin
Msgr. Thaddeus Malanowski
Rev. Noy Sparks

MISSION STATEMENT

Professionals for Excellence in Health Care, PEHC, is a local group of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, attorneys, clergy and their spouses with the shared goal of proclaiming God's truth regarding the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person. PEHC was formed as an alternative "voice" with which to educate a society often guided by misrepresentations, half-truths and innuendoes.

PEHC members believe that we must use our God-given talents to influence individuals and groups in our community in a positive manner. We are not affiliated with any particular religious denomination, and membership is open to all persons who ascribe to our mission statement and principles. We are a non-profit, charitable organization incorporated within the state of Florida.

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

1. We affirm that it is medically and scientifically true that life begins at the moment of fertilization and ends at natural death.
2. We oppose abortion without exception.
3. We oppose in-vitro fertilization and any unjustifiable biotechnology or manipulation that deliberately threatens a developing human life.
4. We are dedicated to the prevention and relief of human pain and suffering.
5. We oppose physician-assisted death and euthanasia.
6. We believe in the promotion of sexual abstinence prior to marriage.
7. We believe it is our task to educate, inform, and influence fellow professionals and the general public in the pursuit of excellence in health care for all Americans.

ACTIVITIES AND GOALS

PEHC members have been active in a variety of endeavors since the organization's inception in 1993. Numerous editorials and guest columns have been published in local and national media sources. Over 100 television and radio presentations have featured members, and PEHC speakers regularly present educational programs at local schools, fairs, and church gatherings. Political lobbying for prolife and profamily legislation has been a frequent activity, as well as the submission of legal briefs in court cases that impact or aid in the promotion of the sanctity of human life. Several PEHC members are involved with the advancement of the prolife ethic at local crisis pregnancy centers, and in 1996 a prolife, indigent medical clinic in Clearwater was founded by PEHC participants. Ultimately, we seek to present a proactive and beneficial presence in our community which will enhance the ethical treatment of all persons, including the preborn.

STATEMENT ON EUTHANASIA

Due to the controversial case involving the provision of food and fluids to the disabled woman, Theresa Marie Schiavo, the group examined various statements regarding the issue. The consensus vote was in favor of the statement by the Anti-Euthanasia Task Force to effectively represent the position of the professionals.

1. Life is a gift from God, over which we have stewardship, but not absoute control.
2. The first duty of any medical person is to do no harm.
3. Death should be the result of illness or injury, and should not be caused by dehydration or starvation when food and fluids can be provided using normal, ordinary, medical technology.
4. If death is imminent and irreversible, the person has a right to comfort care and pain relief.
5. If death is imminent and irreversible, such as with a metastatic terminal cancer, there is no obligation to provide or continue treatment that offers no hope of recovery.
6. If it is uncertain whether or not a person is dying, normal medical treatment should be provided to give that person the chance for survival.
7. If someone is not dying, but has a chronic, disabling condition (including brain injury), that person has a right to ordinary medical treatment, and food and water as well as comfort care.

For more information, please contact us at -
P.O. Box 3034
Clearwater, Fl. 33767

Web site by Christina Brundage