Kelly Bumann recently found an old T-shirt in her closet. It read, “Early treatment works.” The fact that a group of physicians once had to print those words on a shirt says a great deal about the years that gave rise to IMA.

Bumann, IMA’s Executive Director, shared the story with host Daniel Horowitz on the CR podcast as they discussed what the organization has become since then. The name changed from FLCCC to the Independent Medical Alliance because the fight itself had changed. IMA’s work now spans insulin resistance, brain health, cancer care, the childhood vaccine schedule, nutrition, and prevention. Research into long COVID and vaccine injury remains a core commitment. What began with five doctors has grown to 54 senior fellows, including 25 in the United States.

Much of the conversation focused on infrastructure. Horowitz pressed Bumann on whether independent physicians can continue practicing when they are shut out of hospitals, insurance networks, and expert testimony. She explained what IMA has built to help keep them in the field:

  • IMA Academy: accredited continuing education, launched with 15 lectures from the 2026 conference in Texas, with a series on alternative cancer therapy now in production
  • The Journal of Independent Medicine: double-blind peer review, a 50-reviewer panel, and no pharmaceutical advertising, edited by IMA President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Varon
  • Forums: a private space where clinicians can share cases and updates, along with public forums for patients
  • The Trusted Referral Network: a growing directory for patients trying to find a physician they can trust

For patients, the principle tying all of this work together is informed consent. IMA publishes hundreds of free guides covering nutrition, prevention, mental health, women’s and men’s health, and childhood immunizations. Every guide includes references so readers can examine the research for themselves.

The Cancer Resource Hub brings IMA’s cancer work together in one place, from Dr. Paul Marik’s Cancer Care monograph and its 1,500 references to short, plain-language tools for someone diagnosed last week. All of it is free.

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