Richard Hoffmaster, MD, serves on the Board of Directors of the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS) as the 2026 President-Elect and Chair of the ACMS Advocacy Task Force. His leadership efforts help ensure that physicians have a meaningful seat at the policymaking table.
“As chair of the ACMS Advocacy Task Force, which we created just this past year, the most important thing right now is to make sure physicians have a voice at the policymaking level,” said Dr. Hoffmaster. “That hasn’t always been the case.”
Healthcare policies developed by legislatures and healthcare systems directly affect patient access, physician practice, and quality of care. ACMS has prioritized physician advocacy to help ensure those policies align with what is best for patients and providers.
“I think there has been a significant loss of trust in public health and in healthcare, and I think that is understandable,” Hoffmaster said. “We need to acknowledge and accept that rather than shy away from it, while also rebuilding trust by providing honest information and being deliberate in showing that we are committed to taking care of our patients.”
In addition to his ACMS leadership, Dr. Hoffmaster serves as:
• Director of Palliative Medicine at UPMC St. Margaret
• Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Medical Director at Presbyterian SeniorCare Longwood
His roles across hospital care, medical education, and senior services provide a comprehensive perspective on how policy impacts patient outcomes at every stage of life.
As healthcare continues to evolve, physician advocacy remains more important than ever. Through the ACMS Advocacy Task Force, leaders like Dr. Hoffmaster are helping ensure that patient and physician voices are heard.