I Am An Advocate for Justice,
​Equity, Inclusion, & Antiracism

I see too many patients living in healthcare deserts while my physician colleagues experience barriers to serving under-resourced communities. As a mentor, I hear from students and residents who want to return to their historically marginalized communities, but can't because of financial and practical barriers, most especially their massive educational debt. To be sure, historically and systematically marginalized people have good reason to be wary of healthcare. Through my clinical translational research and as past Chair of CMA-CMS, I have experience in the health policy and translational research aspects of bringing cutting-edge technology to my physician colleagues. I know that such technologies can be harnessed to empower physicians and patients and break down barriers to high-value care.

In my advocacy work at the American Medical Association, I have fought for multiple issues of equity including the creation of the AMA Center for Health Equity. As past Chair of the CMA-CMS, I have ensured that our reports consider issues of equity deeply and concurrently with our primary work to position the CMA as a leading voice in the work to improve how medicine works for patients and physicians.

I serve on the CMA Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Technical Advisory Committee; the San Diego County Perinatal Equity Initiative; and as an appointed member of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative Birth Equity Implementation Guide Taskforce.