LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 17, 2026--
Panacea Financial, the financial technology platform built exclusively for physicians and medical practices, today announced a new affinity program with the American Medical Association (AMA) to help physicians navigate mounting economic pressures on independent practice. Beginning June 11, AMA members will gain access to practice financing and personal lending benefits tailored by Panacea Financial for physicians.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260617712516/en/
According to Panacea Financial's 2025 Residents & Fellows Survey, 75% of residents and fellows identified student loan debt as a top financial stressor, up from 49% the previous year. More than half rated their financial stress at an 8 or higher on a 10-point scale. At the same time, physician practice ownership continues to decline. In 2024, only 35.4% of physicians had an ownership stake in their practice, down from 53.2% in 2012 and roughly 76% in the early 1980s (Kletke, Emmons, and Gillis, 1996).
"Independent physicians are the backbone of American medicine and the financial barriers they face, from student debt carried into training to the capital required to start or sustain a practice, are real and growing," said Michael Jerkins, M.D., M.Ed., Co-Founder and President of Panacea Financial. "This program with the AMA reflects a shared commitment to removing those barriers and giving physicians the financial infrastructure their careers demand."
“The AMA remains deeply concerned about the growing pressures threatening the sustainability of independent physician practices, including rising costs, declining reimbursement, and continued market consolidation,” said AMA CEO John Whyte, MD, MPH. “Supporting physician independence is essential to preserving patient access and competition in health care. Through programs like this collaboration with Panacea Financial, alongside our advocacy efforts, the AMA is working to help independent practices remain viable and resilient.”
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the premier national organization providing timely, essential resources to empower physicians, residents and medical students to succeed at every phase of their medical lives. Physicians have entrusted the AMA to advance the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health on behalf of patients for more than 170 years. For more information, visit ama-assn.org.
About Panacea Financial
Panacea Financial Holdings, Inc. is a financial technology company dedicated exclusively to serving physicians, dentists, and veterinarians. Founded by doctors, Panacea delivers a vertically integrated financial platform — including lending, deposits, payments, and advisory services — designed to support doctors from education through practice ownership. Banking services are provided by Panacea Financial, a division of Primis Bank, Member FDIC.
Panacea Financial Offers American Medical Association Members New Program to Strengthen Independent Medical Practices
HOUSTON (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates could only manage a 1-1 draw with Congo on Wednesday in their opening World Cup match.
Congo, which was playing at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, became the second African nation to make a strong start in the tournament against European competition following Cape Verde's 0-0 draw with Spain on Monday.
Playing in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators at NRG Stadium, which was mostly filled with Portugal supporters, Congo was making only its second World Cup appearance. The first came in 1974, when the team was known as Zaire.
João Neves gave Portugal the lead in the sixth minute. The 5-foot-7 midfielder headed in a cross from Pedro Neto.
Yoane Wissa equalized for Congo with a header in stoppage time at the end of the first half off a cross from Arthur Masuaku, delighting the small pockets of blue-clad fans. It was Congo's first World Cup goal in the country's history.
Congo was shut out in its previous three World Cup matches, losing to Scotland (2-0), Yugoslavia (9-0) and reigning champion Brazil (3-0) at the 1974 tournament in West Germany.
Ronaldo joined Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the only players to appear in six World Cups. And Ronaldo had chance to move out of a tie with Messi, who had a hat trick on Tuesday, by becoming the first player to score in a sixth tournament. Ronaldo missed shots wide right in the 68th and 73rd minutes. He shook his head in disgust after both.
Bruno Fernandes also had a chance to put Portugal on top in the 90th minute but his shot was also wide right.
Portugal looked to have taken the lead in the 55th minute on a bicycle kick by João Cancelo, but he was ruled offside.
Soon after that, Cédric Bakambu’s attempt to put Congo on top failed when his shot bounced off the near post.
Ronaldo became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match, taking the record set four years ago by Canada midfielder Atiba Hutchinson. Cameroon great Roger Milla is the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup match, coming on as a substitute at 42 years old during the 1994 World Cup.
The parents of Diogo Jota, a member of the Portugal team who died alongside his brother in a car crash last summer, attended the game in a luxury suite.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Congo's Yoane Wissa, left, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Portugal's Joao Neves vies for the ball with Congo's Edo Kayembe, left, during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Congo's Axel Tuanzebe react during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Portugal's Pedro Neto, center, celebrates after teammate Joao Neves scored the opening goalduring the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) scores his side's first goal against Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
