The Boston Globe and others are reporting that Dr. Paul Farmer, founders of Partners in Health, is seriously considering taking a leading role in a major restructuring of US foreign assistance.

While some worry that Dr. Farmer, who has won aclaim for the holistic, community-led approaches to health he's pioneered with PiH, will become frustrated and mired in Washington battles, we believe that he represents the "Change We Need" that was such an important piece of President Obama's campaign message.

We pledge to support Dr. Farmer regardless of what he chooses, but urge him to seriously consider taking the government post. We, the grassroots community of global health activists, advocates, students, doctors, supporters, and rabble-rousers, pledge to be a continued source of strength and support for Dr. Farmer in this new role.

We want to believe that government has an essential role to play in solving systemic injustice, and we believe Dr. Farmer has a unique capacity to be a leader that can make that promise a reality.