April 26,
2024By Physicians for a Healthy California CEO Letter
Now that we’re settled into 2024, Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) has remained committed to its mission of improving the care of all Californians. As we look to the future and find new, innovative ways to improve health equity, we are proud of the work that we are currently doing to be innovators and disruptors in this field.
PHC started this year strong by announcing the return of the Health Equity Leadership Summit and Health Equity Leadership Awards that will be held July 11-12 in Sacramento at the Sheraton Grand. Building off the success of last year’s Summit, PHC is developing a program that will allow for meaningful conversations about the most pressing health equity issues in California, offer practical skills that participants can walk away with, and recognize leaders in the field through our leadership awards.
Some of our work is literally making headlines! Earlier this week, our report, A Prescription for Change: Addressing Retention Among Women Physicians of Color in California, was featured in The Sacramento Bee. This report presents crucial insights into the factors contributing to burnout and attrition among women physicians of color and how vital these physicians are in improving health outcomes for people of color. Click here for more details about the report.
In January, I was joined by PHC Board Vice Chair and California Medical Association (CMA) President Tanya W. Spirtos, M.D.; PHC Board Member and CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran; PHC CFO and CMA COO Lance Lewis; and staff volunteers to assemble 500 toiletry kits at PHC and CMA’s offices in Sacramento. This project had originally been set to take place at CMA’s House of Delegates last October as part of PHC’s 60th anniversary celebration. Due to HOD being rescheduled, PHC adjusted the service project and moved forward by encouraging PHC and CMA staff to participate and serve the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) of Los Angeles. It was important to PHC and its Board to honor the commitment made to the DWC.
Since 1978, the DWC has worked toward ending homelessness for women in the greater Los Angeles area through housing programs, employment support and advocacy. PHC’s commitment to this project builds on 60 years of service to California patients. Throughout PHC’s 60-year history, we have undertaken projects to improve public health, diversify the physician workforce and promote health equity. We look forward to continuing that work every day for years to come.
In 2023, PHC saw many other community programs come to fruition. Our team conducted site visits for our CalMedForce graduate medical education program across the state, including a visit to Arrowhead Regional OB/GYN Residency Program in San Bernardino County. Funding from CalMedForce provided an opportunity for Arrowhead Regional to maintain three existing residency programs. Staff present on this trip were able to see the Mindray ultrasound device that was purchased through the CalMedForce grant, in addition to learning about the many uses that the equipment has in the emergency room and how it prepares residents for practicing medicine after residency.
We are excited about the prospect of new partnerships in the upcoming year and will continue our service to the people of the Golden State.