Dr. Ralph Crawshaw was a psychiatrist, author, and activist. In this interview, he begins by discussing his service in World War II, which deepened his focus on human suffering and compassion. After establishing a psychiatry practice, he moved to Portland in 1960. In 1961, he co-founded what is now known as LifeWorks Northwest, advocating for mental health as part of community health. In 1982, he helped create Oregon Health Decisions, fostering statewide dialogue on healthcare. He played a pivotal role in the success of the Oregon Health Plan. Prompted by a rash of doctor suicides in 1984, he founded The Foundation for Medical Excellence. His 1986 article led to the creation of Health Volunteers Overseas. Dr. Crawshaw received numerous awards and was a senior scholar for the OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care.