“Stories open up new paths, sometimes send us back to old ones, and close off still others. Telling and listening to stories we too imaginatively walk down those paths - paths of longing, paths of hope, paths of desperation.” — Arthur Kleinman, MD
Patricia Kullberg MD MPH
In certain times and places, science meets people and people meet politics. Dr. Kullberg writes at these intersections. Her subjects have ranged from the dysfunction of Oregon’s health care system and battles over the treatment of polio to mid-twentieth century sexual politics and the work of caring for patients in a clinic of last resort. She served two decades as Medical Director for Multnomah County Health Department. As a scientific writer and activist with Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility she has investigated and written about issues like illegal dumping of radioactive fracking waste in Eastern Oregon and the misuse of science by fossil fuel corporations. She also volunteers at KBOO community radio station, producing radio segments on stories like dismantling race-based algorithms in medicine and the fate of public health in a market-driven society. Kullberg is a native Portlander who lives in the city with her husband, activist and educator Norm Diamond. Whenever she can, she takes refuge in her garden or playing with a pair of overly demanding cats.