Walnut Creek ophthalmologist Patricia Austin, M.D., today was named president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation. She will serve as president-elect for one year, and will take office as president of the AMA Foundation next year.

Dr. Austin’s experience in organized medicine began in medical school, having first become an AMA member in 1974. She joined the California Medical Association (CMA) and the Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) three years later, and eventually went on to serve as president of ACCMA from 1996 to 1997. Dr. Austin also served on the CMA Board of Trustees representing CMA District 9 from 1996 to 2005, and then from 2012 to 2015, as the representative for the CMA Solo and Small Group Practice Forum.

Dr. Austin strongly believes that together, physicians can do great things.

“In my more than 30 years of small group practice, I’ve seen the profession and business of medicine change greatly over the decades,” said Dr. Austin. “Throughout these changes, I’ve noticed that, in order to truly make a difference, physicians must stand together and be united in one voice.”

In her new role at the AMA Foundation, she will work to further the organization’s mission—to bring together physicians and community to improve our nation’s health, and recognize outstanding medical leaders and innovative community health initiatives.

Before being named president-elect, Dr. Austin served for six years on the AMA Foundation Board of Directors. She also holds positions at the Red Cross Blood Bank, serves on the AMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws and is a California representative to the AMA House of Delegates.

Dr. Austin performs advanced anterior segment and cataract surgery at the Aspen Surgical Center in Walnut Creek.