Dr. Sanford Marcus founded the union in 1972 in the San Francisco Bay Area.[1] As of 1989, 40,000 of roughly 50,000 organized doctors in the US were members, with 70% as self employed physicians.[2] The union's initial purpose was to improve medical care for patients rather than win economic gains for doctors.[3]
The union was active in the 1975 malpractice insurance crisis. Bargaining over salaries was not permitted until California law changed in 1981.[4]
Dr. Robert Weinmann succeeded Dr. Marcus as president in 1990.[1]
In 2025, UAPD participated in a 5 day strike at PeaceHealth.[5]