[IMA-HelenT]

Thanks for asking, and I’m sorry your friend’s son is going through this. It sounds like a very difficult few days for the whole family.

IMA can’t offer direct medical advice or tell someone whether they should or shouldn’t have a particular procedure, but we can help point you toward doctors who may be willing to take a broader look at the situation and offer another perspective.

A good place to start is the IMA Provider Directory, where you can search by state:

https://imahealth.org/providers/

We’re putting a lot of work into growing this directory, but unfortunately building a trusted network takes time.

In the meantime, these three IMA-listed doctors are currently taking new patients:

Dr. Michael Turner

https://imahealth.org/providers/a-michael-turner-md/

Dr. JP Saleeby

https://imahealth.org/providers/jp-saleeby-md/

Dr. Mollie James

https://imahealth.org/providers/mollie-james-do/

It may also be worth looking for an independent or integrative physician, ideally one with experience in hematology or complex blood disorders, who is willing to review the full picture and work alongside the hospital team. AI search tools can sometimes help identify doctors locally, but it usually takes a few calls to find out exactly what they offer and whether they are a good fit.

Two other directories that may help:

Direct Primary Care Mapper — more than 2,600 DPC practices across the U.S.

https://mapper.dpcfrontier.com/

The Wedge / Stand for Health Freedom — a network of independent primary and specialist physicians

https://jointhewedge.com/

Because he is currently hospitalized, on oxygen, and has already needed transfusions, it may also be worth asking whether a hematology second opinion can be arranged before any major decision, if his condition and timing allow.

I hope some of these leads help them find the right person to talk to.