Candidate for
US Representative; Pennsylvania Congressional District; District 13; Democratic Party

Dr. Valerie Arkoosh is a Philadelphia-based physician and health-policy expert, practicing in Philadelphia's teaching hospitals for over 28 years.

Val recently served as president of the National Physicians Alliance, a physician advocacy non-profit committed to advancing health and social justice priorities, like ensuring quality, affordable health care for all, expanding access for women to all health services and reducing gun violence. As president, Val served an integral role in helping pass the Affordable Care Act.

She continues to advocate for further healthcare reform in Pennsylvania and has appeared in the New York Times, Huffington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, and serves as a frequent guest on MSNBC.

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Dr. Valerie Arkoosh isn't a career politician. She is a physician, parent of three and community leader. A practicing obstetric anesthesiologist for over two decades, Val has always put the health and well being of our community and local families first. After years of watching her patients fall through the cracks and working to create genuine change in our health care system, Val is ready to bring her real-world experience and expertise to Congress to make a difference for Pennsylvania families.

Like so many Americans, Val's grandparents came to the United States in search of a better life. Her father worked his way up from a very modest beginning, joined the United States Army, and eventually owned a successful business. He created hundreds of jobs along the way. Growing up hearing the stories of her parents and grandparents taught Val the key values that guide everything she does: hard work, the importance of family, respect for all people, and the critical importance of giving back to community.

Val studied at Northwestern University where she majored in economics and returned to the University of Nebraska to attend medical school. But her career really began when she moved to Philadelphia in 1986. It was here that she began working with patients and families from every walk of life, ultimately caring for thousands of women during labor and delivery. And it was here that she met her husband and is raising her family.

Throughout her medical career, Val has worked tirelessly to ensure high quality, affordable and accessible health care for all Americans. Val believes deeply that everyone in our community should have an equal opportunity to live a healthy life and that good health depends on more than just good health care. Good health happens when people are working and earning a living wage; when our children have access to quality education and when our health care system is able to respond to the needs of all people.

Having experienced firsthand the best and the worst of our health care system, Val decided it was time to take action and fight for real change. While still caring for patients at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania - and raising her three children + she earned a Masters Degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health because she knew it would give her the tools she needed to make a difference outside of the exam room.

In 2009, Val put her real-world experience to work during the health care reform debate. As President of the National Physicians Alliance, Val traveled to and from Washington D.C. to fight for progressive change at a time when many Democrats stayed quiet. During that time, Val saw too many politicians willing to cave in to outside pressure rather than standing up for what's right.

In Congress, Val will stand up to the special interests and extreme politicians, and work to ensure that every American has access to the health care, education and economic stability they deserve.

Val lives in Springfield Township with her husband, Jeff Harbison, and their three children.