Ophthalmologist Dr. Glaucomflecken Takes on Corporate Healthcare and Unethical Medical Practices

In a wide-ranging interview with STAT’s “First Opinion Podcast,” ophthalmologist Will Flanary, better known by his social media persona Dr. Glaucomflecken, discussed his recent advocacy efforts against corporate takeovers in healthcare and the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals on social media.

Flanary has emerged as one of medicine’s most influential voices online, using comedy to highlight serious issues in the healthcare system. His current focus is a controversial situation unfolding in Eugene, Oregon, where he is actively supporting local emergency physicians fighting against corporate control.

“This is happening in my community. It’s important to me,” Flanary explained, detailing how PeaceHealth, a major hospital system in the Pacific Northwest, decided to replace Eugene Emergency Physicians—a democratic, physician-owned group that had served the community for 35 years—with ApolloMD, a corporate management group based in Atlanta.

The controversy began several years ago when PeaceHealth closed University District Hospital in Eugene’s city center, despite warnings from medical staff about the impact this would have on patient care at RiverBend Hospital in nearby Springfield.

“Wait times were skyrocketing, patient satisfaction was down, and everybody was generally unhappy. There wasn’t enough staff, not enough equipment, not enough rooms,” Flanary said, describing the aftermath of the closure.

The situation escalated when RiverBend’s CEO, who possesses only an administrative medical license, allegedly attempted to influence clinical decision-making. Recently released emails suggest the CEO may have called for new contract proposals as retaliation against physicians who raised concerns about his behavior.

Oregon’s 2025 corporate practice of medicine law has become central to the dispute, with the governor calling for a pause in the transition while legal questions are resolved. “If these doctors are successful in fighting this using that law, you better believe that other states are going to consider similar legislation,” Flanary noted.

For Flanary, the case exemplifies a broader problem in American healthcare: corporate entities prioritizing profit over patient care. “Insurance has been doing this for decades,” he said. “They’ll change little policies here and there and hope no one notices.”

The ophthalmologist’s advocacy extends beyond the Eugene situation to confronting misinformation and questionable medical practices on social media. He expressed particular concern about medical students and professionals who compromise ethical standards for financial gain or attention.

“It is so easy to lose your integrity as a physician,” Flanary warned, discussing instances where medical influencers have posted inappropriate content mocking patients’ bodies. “The last thing you want to do as a physician is put out content that will undermine the public’s trust in us.”

Flanary maintains strict ethical guardrails for his own content: “Nothing patient-related, no HIPAA violations. It’s that old adage—punch up, not punch down.”

He also used the interview to sound alarms about dangerous eye procedures being promoted on social media, particularly cosmetic iris implants that change eye color appearance. “You’re introducing a foreign body into eyes that are totally healthy. I think it’s unethical and should not be done,” he stated, distinguishing these procedures from legitimate medical applications of similar technology.

When asked how he continues finding humor despite healthcare’s serious challenges, Flanary explained that comedy serves multiple purposes—as both a personal coping mechanism and an effective educational tool. “If you surround an idea with humor on social media, you’re much more likely to have people pay attention to it,” he said.

“I love making pharmacy benefit managers funny, while still letting people know what a pharmacy benefit manager is,” he added, highlighting his approach to tackling complex healthcare topics through entertainment.

As healthcare continues evolving alongside social media’s growing influence, Flanary’s distinctive voice represents a bridge between traditional medical ethics and modern communication—using laughter to advocate for better systems and more responsible practices.