The Independent Medical Alliance, previously known as the Front Line COVID-19
Critical Care Alliance, disseminates medical information through education courses, treatment protocols, and databases for finding pharmacies and healthcare providers that support the group’s protocols. ^{1 2 3}

The group has faced criticism for promoting the medication ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment ^{4 5} and for partnering with Children’s Health Defense, a group supported by second Trump administration HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. whom critics describe as “anti-vaccine.” ⁶

Background

The Independent Medical Alliance was founded in 2020 by a coalition of physicians aiming to promote more effective means of treating illness. In part, the group seeks to achieve its goals through advocating for patients’ rights, scientifically-backed treatments, and informed consent. At the time of its founding, the group was known as the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance. ^{7 8}

Partners of the Independent Medical Alliance include the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), BiRD, the Brownstone Institute, the Canadian Covid Alliance, Children’s Health Defense, Doctors for COVID Ethics, the Freedom Counsel, the Global Covid Summit, the Global Health Project, the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), the Long COVID-19 Foundation, Long Haulers World, the Nurses Freedom Network, NZ SOS, Physicians for Informed Consent, React19, the Truth for Health Foundation, the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation (VSRF), and the World Council for Health. ⁹

The Independent Medical Alliance has a global network of fellows that consists of 47 members across 15 countries and representing 35 different medical fields. ¹⁰

The Independent Medical Alliance has received criticism for promoting the medication ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment. ^{4 5} Additionally, the American Board of Internal Medicine revoked the certifications of two founders of the Independent Medical Alliance, Pierre Kory and Paul Marik, primarily over their promotion of ivermectin for use in treating COVID-19 infection. ¹¹

The group has also drawn criticism over its partnership with Children’s Health Defense, a group founded by second Trump administration HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. whom critics describe as “anti-vaccine.” ⁶

Activities

The Independent Medical Alliance’s primary mission is to promote informed consent and other patients’ rights, and to build trust in the doctor-patient relationship. The group educates on medical topics through courses and information published on its website and develops protocols that include treatments for COVID-19 and cancer. The group also has protocols for preventing vaccine injuries. The organization provides a database on its website to find medical providers and pharmacies that support its protocols. ^{7 1 2 3}

In 2025, the advocacy arm of the Independent Medical Alliance, IMA Action, sponsored a petition in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. ^{12 13}

Funding

As of 2023, the Independent Medical Alliance’s revenue was $3,862,279, its expenses were $4,958,838, and its total assets were $5,924,935. ¹⁴

In 2023, the Independent Medical Alliance, then known as the Front Line COVID-19
Critical Care Alliance, received $103,000 from the Carter Family Foundation, $11,200 from the Jewish Communal Fund, $13,350 from the American Endowment Foundation, and $59,500 from the National Christian Charitable Foundation. ^{15 16 17 18}

In 2022, the Informed Consent Action Network gave $210,000 to the Independent Medical Alliance. ¹⁹ In the same year, the Independent Medical Alliance also received $851,000 from DonorsTrust and $53,000 from the National Philanthropic Trust. ^{20 21}

In 2021, the Independent Medical Alliance received $10,000 from the Firstfruits Foundation and $2,000 from the Lucky Seven Foundation. ^{22 23}

People

Kelly Bumann is the executive director of the Independent Medical Alliance, a position she has held since 2021. ²⁴

Physician Joseph Varon is the president of the Independent Medical Alliance. ²⁵

1. “Education on Demand.” Independent Medical Alliance, January 16, 2025. https://imahealth.org/education-on-demand/.
2. “Treatment Protocols.” Independent Medical Alliance, September 5, 2024. https://imahealth.org/treatment-protocols/.
3. “Get Started.” Independent Medical Alliance, January 16, 2025. https://imahealth.org/get-started/.
4. Szalinski, Christina. “Fringe Doctors’ Groups Promote Ivermectin for Covid despite a Lack of Evidence.” Scientific American, February 20, 2024. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fringe-doctors-groups-promote-ivermectin-for-covid-despite-a-lack-of-evidence/.
5. Tax records reveal the lucrative world of covid misinformation – The Washington Post. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/02/21/covid-misinformation-earnings/.
6. ABC News. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/doc-accused-patient-harm-healthcare-heros-evolution-chop-116738888
7. “About the Independent Medical Alliance.” Independent Medical Alliance, February 17, 2025. https://imahealth.org/about/.
8. “Founders & Clinical Team.” Independent Medical Alliance, January 29, 2025. https://imahealth.org/about/founders-and-clinical-team/.
9. “Our Partners.” Independent Medical Alliance, August 9, 2024. https://imahealth.org/about/our-partners/.
10.  “Senior Fellows.” Independent Medical Alliance, February 12, 2025. https://imahealth.org/about/senior-fellows/.
11. Doctors accused of spreading misinformation lose certifications – The Washington Post. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/13/doctors-accused-spreading-misinformation-lose-certifications/.
12. “Ima Action.” IMA Action. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.imaaction.org/.
13. “Sign the Letter – Confirm RFK Jr. to HHS!” IMA Action. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://ima-action.revv.co/rfk-letter.
14. “Independent Medical Alliance,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2023. Page 1 Part 1 Lines 12, 18, and 20.
15. “Carter Family Foundation,” Return of Private Foundation Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990 PF) 2023. Page 11 Part XIV.
16. “Jewish Communal Fund,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2023. Schedule I.
17. “American Endowment Foundation,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2023. Schedule I.
18. “National Christian Charitable Foundation,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2023. Schedule I.
19.  “Informed Consent Action Network,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2022. Schedule I.
20. “DonorsTrust,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2022. Schedule I.
21. “National Philanthropic Trust,” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990) 2022. Schedule I.
22. “Firstfruits Foundation,” Return of Private Foundation Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990 PF) 2021. Page 11 Part XIV.
23. “Lucky Seven Foundation,” Return of Private Foundation Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990 PF) 2021. Page 11 Part XIV.
24. Kelly Bumann – Executive director, non-profit. Accessed February 17, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellybumann.
25. “Joseph Varon MD, FCCM, FCCP.” Independent Medical Alliance, January 16, 2025. https://imahealth.org/experts/joseph-varon/.