In memory of Dr. Peter Smith and Dr. Patricia O'Neill

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Peter R Smith, MD, retired pulmonologist and PNHP - NY Metro Board Member, and his wife, Patricia O’Neill, MD, a lead trauma surgeon at Brookdale Hospital, on February 17th, 2023.  Both will be greatly missed. 

Over the past few years, Peter had been an incredibly active member of the Board of Directors of PNHP-NY Metro.  In addition to participating in the Executive and Finance Committees, Peter led the Program Committee.  His largest contribution, however, was as Chair of the Education and Outreach Working Group.  He tirelessly worked to spread information about single-payer healthcare at both the state and federal levels.  Regularly speaking at Grand Rounds and other professional meetings, Peter also helped coordinate a robust outreach program to identify grassroots groups to not only educate people about alternatives to the country’s current health system, but also to provide them with ways to engage in advocacy towards that goal.  

Peter received his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  He served as Chief of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Co-Director of the Thoracic Center and Co-Director of the Asthma Center, director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center, and director of the Smoking Cessation Center all at Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, NY.  Peter was a Professor of Clinical Medicine at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, and was the author of more than 80 scientific publications.  He was a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Chest Physicians, and a member of the American Thoracic Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the New York Academy of Sciences.  Peter served on the board of directors of the American Lung Association of Brooklyn for 15 years and was past president of that organization and the American Lung Association of New York City. 

Voted one of the "Best Doctors in New York" by New York Magazine, Peter was also selected for inclusion in the Castle Connolly Guide, "The Best Doctors - New York Metro Area" and the Woodward White Guide, "The Best Doctors in America.”

The family welcomes you to make a contribution to PNHP - NY Metro, below, in Peter and Patricia's honor.

Donate today to send a student to the Annual PNHP Leadership and Advocacy Training and National Conference in Philadelphia in November! 

This fund will also support our 2019-2020 Student Fellows, who coordinate the statewide network of 11 NY-Metro area SNaHP chapters who have been instrumental in building momentum for Medicare for All.

New York students have placed op-eds in the NY Times (first pro-single-payer piece in a decade!), Business Insider, City and State NY, Albany Times Union, Syracuse.com and more. 

They organized a national SNaHP conference in March, drawing over 150 health professional students to New York City.

They were a major part in organizing the “Pharma Greed Kills” protest at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals against price-gouging and for single-payer with tough price negotiations as the solution. 

By contributing today to the Student Advocacy Fund, you can give students an experience that will have a profound impact on their careers, advocacy for their patients, and the future of healthcare in the U.S.

Donate below! We are a member-supported organization and cannot do this work without you. Your tax-deductible contribution, no matter how small or large, goes towards organizing that ranges from the production of informational materials, direct actions, work in the community, collaborating with medical students and residents, monthly forums, building leadership, keeping the lights on and more!

We need you now more than ever! Thank YOU for volunteering, showing up, and donating to help grow the movement for universal healthcare and total health justice. 

Become a member of national PNHP:

Make a one-time contribution below of $250 or more!

OR

Become a monthly sustaining donor of at least $25/month - click here!

Gift Memberships: To honor someone with membership benefits, please email to inquire.

To contribute by check:
Make checks payable to "PNHP-NY Metro" and mail to:

PNHP-NY Metro Chapter, 310 W. 86th St. #6B, New York, NY 10024

PNHP - NY Metro is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all donations are tax deductible.

Your financial contributions to the Business Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare will support efforts to reach New York business owners to educate them on the benefits of truly guaranteed health care for all New Yorkers.

Your donations are fully tax-deductible. You can donate below through our online secure service, or mail checks to PNHP NY Metro 8 West 126th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027 with the memo "Business Campaign."

We are a member-supported organization and cannot do this work without you.

Thank YOU for volunteering, showing up, and donating. 

We need you now more than ever! Sustaining donations allow us to budget for the future most effectively and build momentum for guaranteed care for all and total health justice. Your tax-deductible contribution, no matter how small or large, goes towards organizing that ranges from the production of informational materials, direct actions, work in the community, collaborating with medical students and residents, monthly forums, building leadership, keeping the lights on and more!

To become a member of national PNHP:

Make a monthly sustaining donation of at least $25/month below!

OR

Make a one-time contribution of $250 or more by clicking here!

Gift Memberships: To honor someone with membership benefits, please email to inquire.

To contribute by check:
Make checks payable to "PNHP-NY Metro" and mail to:

PNHP-NY Metro Chapter, 310 W. 86th St. #6B, New York, NY 10024

PNHP - NY Metro is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; all donations are tax deductible.

Physicians and medical students, make sure the Governor, Assembly Speaker, and Senate Majority Leaders hear from New York physicians that we want a universal, single-payer health care plan.