From the O.R. to the Oval Office- 3 Docs Who Ran

updated June 27, 2026

The 2016 United States Presidential campaign was one of the most unexpected, unpredictable, and contentious races in history, starting with the individual parties.

The qualifications for President are fairly simple

U.S. Constitution Requirements for a Presidential Candidate:

Be at least 35 years old
Be a natural-born citizen of the United States
Been a resident of the United States for 14 years

How to become President inforgraphic — The Presidential pathway from USA.gov

The election process is anything but simple as illustrated by the above graphic. The candidates must first campaign for votes in the states’ primaries or caucuses to become their party’s choice at the convention.

In the general election, voters are technically voting for electors to the Electoral College, which casts its states votes for President.So it is possible with the candidate with the fewest popular votes gets the most electoral votes and becomes president.

Holding the office of the President is our country’s highest honor but the job of president has become so thankless I wonder why anyone wants to do it. But I am grateful that people volunteer for and seek the position, and in 2016 three of the candidates were physicians.

This post was originally a non-partisan look at those candidates, and still is.

In medical jargon, progress notes are Records kept by health care workers to indicate the course of the patient’s care

I have written some “progress notes” about each candidate that will give you a glimpse into their professional, personal, and political lives.

statue of George Washington in Manhattan — statue of General George Washington, first President of the United States of America – New York City

Jill Stein, M.D.- Green Party

Dr. Stein graduated from Harvard Medical School.
Her hobbies include writing and performing music.
She ran for President in 2012, also on the Green Party ticket.
She is a physician’s wife, mother, internal medicine physician/teacher and “environmental-health advocate.”
She developed the “Healthy People, Healthy Planet” teaching program.
She has been interviewed on the Today Show, 20/20 and Fox News network.
In Massachusetts she ran for Governor, State Representative and Secretary of State.
She co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition for Healthy Communities, a non-profit organization.
She likes to walk with her Great Dane Bandita.
She has advocated for several environmental issues in her home state-

Mercury contamination of fish
The “Filthy Five” coal plants clean up
Mercury and dioxin contamination from burning trash

The Presidential Oval Office at the Reagan Library — a replica of the White House Oval Office at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Part 2 of this article continues here.

From the O.R. to the Oval Office- 3 Docs Who Ran- Part 2

This concludes a two part series about physicians who ran for U.S. President in 2016.

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Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.