Sacramento, CA—The National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs (NAAPPPA) recognized the California Medical Association (CMA) as one of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champions for 2023. 

The award, announced on May 15, recognized CMA's efforts to make diversity and inclusion a strategic focus for the organization. CMA has sought to achieve diversity and inclusion at an organizational level – including on the Board of Trustees, medical societies, and staff – and has supported efforts to diversify the physician workforce and pipeline.

“I am honored and proud that NAAPPPA has recognized CMA’s efforts to incorporate diversity and inclusion into our organizational efforts and strategy,” said CMA President Donaldo Hernandez, M.D. “As CMA President, I have sought to put health equity at the forefront of our work. Supporting physicians and patients so that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health is crucial to building a strong and inclusive health care system.”  

“Creating a physician workforce and leadership that reflects the diversity of California has been a persistent focus at CMA,” said NAAPPPA co-founder Bill Wong. “CMA recognizes the benefits of diversity in the health care, whether it be through improved cultural competency in providing patient care, identifying solutions to health disparities, or reaching communities that have long been underserved.”

Recently, CMA co-sponsored Assembly Bill 470, which would expand cultural medical equity by updating continuing medical education (CME) standards to promote cultural and linguistic competency and enhance the quality of physician-patient communication. And during the 2022 election cycle, CMA’s political action committee (CALPAC) worked to help elect the state’s first Sikh lawmaker, Jasmeet Bains, M.D., to the state assembly.

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC), a subsidiary and partner of CMA is dedicated to improving community health, growing a diverse physician workforce and promoting health equity.  PHC is administering the Physicians Foundation-funded Women Physicians of Color research project, which focuses on reducing burnout, improving career satisfaction, bolstering mental health and establishing equity for female physicians of color. 

Additionally, PHC will be hosting the Health Equity Leadership Summit in San Jose on September 14-15. The summit will provide an opportunity for physicians, executives, advocates and allies to find community, engage in hands-on trainings and workshops, and discuss how they are addressing health equity in California. 

NAAPPPA is a non-partisan non-profit national organization dedicated to promoting and developing Asian American and Pacific Islander career advancement and excellence in political consulting, public affairs, and legislative advocacy through networking, innovative training, and professional development.