"I will always be a doctor," he said. "What I'm doing now is public service. I will always be a doctor at heart."
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Dermatologists Stepping Up Engagement in Politics
Although only a handful of dermatologists have sought political office, members of the specialty have been stepping up their engagement in politics in recent years, according to Dr. Jack Resneck Jr., chair of the American Academy of Dermatology Council on Government Affairs, Health Policy & Practice.
"This includes engagement in organized medicine at the national or local level, on state medical boards, in health systems and physician groups, advocating before lawmakers and regulators, and in countless other venues," Dr. Resneck told Skin & Allergy News digital network.
Dermatologists who get involved in politics come from diverse political and social backgrounds, and don't espouse any one particular set of political beliefs, he said.
"By the nature of their profession, however, most dermatologists who get involved are also members of their communities who interact with countless patients, and therefore their advocacy interests often extend beyond health care issues," Dr. Resneck said. Still, he added, "they share an enthusiasm for ensuring that we are able to provide quality care to our patients in the years to come."
Aside from Dr. Bentley, several other dermatologists have sought political office, according to the AAD. Dr. Elliott Rustad of Nebraska (R) ran for lieutenant governor in 1998 and for the U.S. Senate in 2000, but was not elected. Dr. D. Edgar "Ed" Allen (D) served in the Utah State Senate from 1999 to 2003, and lost his bid for seat in the Utah House in 2008.
Jack Ditty, a Republican who ran for the state Senate in Kentucky, said in an interview that his involvement in the community led him to seek political office. "I was asked to run in a special election to replace our state senator [in 2009]. It was the first time I'd ever run for political office, and I lost by 282 votes running against a veteran politician. After losing, I felt if we'd just had another week or so we would have won."
Therefore, Dr. Ditty said, he decided to try his chances a second time in the general election.
Health care – and the issues raised by the Affordable Care Act – definitely played a role in the campaign, but the economy still tookes center stage, Dr. Ditty said. He said he would use his health care expertise by serving on the legislature’s health care committee. "I see this as an opportunity to make Kentucky better, and to increase health care in Kentucky," he said.
Dr. Ditty lost the election on Nov. 2 to Democrat Robin Webb.