Patients rally to support Lyme doctor under fire from Virginia Board of Medicine

The following message was sent to us via NatCapLyme, on behalf of the “Friends of Dr. Zackrison.”

Dear Lyme Community,

On September 12, 2019, the Virginia Board of Medicine summarily suspended Dr. Leila Zackrison’s medical license for treating Lyme disease, pending a hearing.

This has thrown hundreds of patients into panic. If the board succeeds with their case, current patients will lose their doctor and the Lyme community will lose one of the few physicians in the country who treats children with Lyme disease.

This dangerous precedent of suspending a physician’s license before the hearing puts all Lyme-literate MDs at risk. The harm to current Lyme patients and the risks to future Lyme patients are incalculable; the potential suffering, unimaginable.

Dr. Zackrison’s patients have set up a support group called “Friends of Dr. Zackrison” and they are encouraging all Lyme patients in the area to help join the fight.

Without a HUGE showing, patients will have little impact on the medical board’s decision. We must send a message to the Virginia Board of Medicine and to medical boards across the country that a patient’s choice of doctor and treatment methods is paramount to optimal healing.

Hearing on February 20-21

Please join us for a peaceful show of support at Dr. Zackrison’s hearing:

Thursday, February 20, beginning at 11 am
Friday, February 21, beginning at 8:30 am

The hearing will be held at the Perimeter Center, 9960 Mayland Dr., Henrico, VA 23233

NatCapLyme has generously agreed to help with transportation to the hearing. If enough people are interested, we will rent a bus to Henrico and then back to the Metro DC area for each day. The estimated cost would be about $50 per person.  We also hope to secure a discount at a local hotel for those who would prefer to spend the night nearby.

“Friends of Dr. Zackrison” will facilitate carpools for those who prefer to travel by car.

Please, if you can come to the hearing either by car, carpool, or bus – we need to hear from you no later than January 31.

Email: FriendsOfDrZackrison@gmail.com to let us know which day(s) you’d like to come, whether by bus or car, and if you can provide transportation for others. Once you have emailed us, you will be sent all the detailed information you need to attend.

To stay updated and for easy reference, please go to our website:
https://www.keepdrzfightingforus.com

Dr. Zackrison has significantly improved the lives of hundreds and saved the lives of dozens of patients. Many of us were sick for years before we found Dr. Z (as she is affectionately called) and we are passionate about supporting her. We must not let them take Dr. Z out of our lives without accountability and without a fight.

Sincerely,

Friends of Dr. Zackrison