San Francisco pediatrician Shannon Udovic-Constant, M.D., was installed this weekend as the new California Medical Association (CMA) president at the association’s annual House of Delegates conference.

In Sacramento, Dr. Udovic-Constant addressed the hundreds of physician delegates and health care stakeholders, outlining her vision for the largest state medical association in the country representing more than 50,000 California doctors.

“I am invigorated to have the opportunity to advocate side by side with my physician colleagues to improve the medical profession and the health of our patients and communities,” said Dr. Udovic-Constant. “Physicians must be the architects of the future of health care and CMA is positioned to lead the state in this evolution and provide a model for the country.”

Dr. Udovic-Constant is the 156th president of CMA and fifth woman to hold the position. She served as chair of the CMA Board of Trustees since 2020, after serving as vice chair for three years. Dr. Udovic-Constant is with The Permanente Medical Group in San Francisco and is a long-time advocate for policies to improve the health of children and communities.

Dr. Udovic-Constant assumes the presidency following Tanya W. Spirtos, M.D., an OB/GYN in Redwood City.

At the same conference, René Bravo, M.D., a primary care pediatrician in San Luis Obispo, was voted CMA president-elect.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the new CMA president-elect. In this new role, I will represent all physicians and all practice modes with a focus on the real economic and personal needs of the physicians, all while prioritizing our patients” said Dr. Bravo. “Our unity is our strength, and together we can strive to deliver the highest quality, science-based health care to all Californians.”

Dr. Bravo has been serving families and children on the Central Coast for 38 years. He is the founder and President of Bravo Pediatrics, worked at Sierra Vista Regional Medica Center (now Adventist Health) in San Luis Obispo since 1986 and is the past Chair of the Board of Directors at Cencal Health for San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.