The Board of Directors and staff of the Benjamin Rush Institute (BRI) mourn the passing of our Board m
ember and former Oklahoma Senator and Congressman Thomas Allen “Tom” Coburn, M.D.
Dr. Coburn’s battles with cancer inspired him to become a physician. As a practicing obstetrician, he was first inspired to run for Congress in his home state of Oklahoma to oppose an incumbent dedicated to nationalizing the practice of medicine. Then, throughout his distinguished career in Congress, first as a Congressman and later in the Senate, Coburn continued to deliver babies as part of his established family practice.
Dr. Coburn’s dedication to the doctor-patient relationship and to the education of medical students was an inspiration to BRI’s student members, our staff, and his fellow Board Members. He will be missed.