To the Medical Professionals Who Serve: A Message from Pilots for HIMS Reform
At Pilots for HIMS Reform, we want to speak directly to the many Aviation Medical Examiners, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, addiction specialists, and treatment providers who have dedicated their time and expertise to helping pilots navigate the complex and often difficult process of FAA medical certification.
Let us be clear:
We are not your enemy.
Our movement is not about attacking the dedicated professionals who, day after day, serve within this system. We recognize and deeply respect the role you play in supporting aviators who face serious challenges — and we understand that many of you have entered this field with a sincere desire to help others, not to harm them.
This effort is not a witch hunt. It’s a wake-up call.
We believe the current structure of the HIMS Program — opaque, inconsistent, and lacking meaningful oversight — has enabled a small number of bad actors to exert outsized influence, often without accountability. These individuals do not represent the majority of medical professionals, but the system has too often protected them instead of protecting the pilots they serve. That must change.
Many of the abuses we have documented did not occur in spite of the current system — they occurred because of it.
We know many of you have been quietly concerned about these very issues. You’ve seen cases mishandled. You’ve questioned the rigidity of protocol, the lack of individualized care, the ethical lines occasionally blurred in the name of compliance. Some of you have spoken up. Some of you have tried to work within the system. Some of you have been ignored or sidelined for doing so.
We are here to say:
We want to work with you.
Our reform movement welcomes those within the medical community who believe — as we do — that pilots deserve dignity, transparency, and evidence-based care. We are building something better, and we invite you to be part of it.
And for those of you who already have — who have subscribed, spoken up, or lent your quiet support behind the scenes — we thank you.
Now, we ask for your help in growing this movement.
There are others like you — professionals who care deeply but have not yet connected with this effort. You likely know them. Please consider encouraging them to explore our platform, read the stories, and add their voice to this coalition.
You are proof that the medical community and the pilot community don’t have to be at odds.
Together, we can bring meaningful change — but only if our numbers grow and our voices rise together.
We don’t want to burn bridges. We want to build new ones.
Let’s reimagine what pilot wellness can look like — a system that is medically sound, ethically principled, and truly centered on recovery and safety without fear or retaliation.
With appreciation and hope,
Pilots for HIMS Reform