My Journey

---

I joined the CMA in 1982 as a UCSF medical student on a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) developing standards for birthing centers, my first foray into organized medicine. It was so enthralling being surrounded by these brilliant physicians crafting public policy. I was hooked.

After finishing my residency in pediatrics at Stanford I was recruited to a multi-specialty group in San Luis Obispo. I also joined the San Luis Obispo County Medical Society, eventually elected as President in 1992. I was also elected to CMA HoD in early ’90’s.

As I became increasingly involved as a young physician, I was honored to be being selected as a “town hall" questioner of President Bill Clinton in 1994 at the HOD (Anaheim). I became very engaged in health care policy, serving on reference committees, including chairing Reference Committee B ( Government) for a few HoD’s. 

I also Chaired and led the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Technical Advisory Committee for CMA, especially focusing on developing MediCal Drug Standards. I was appointed to the first MediCal Drug Use Review (DUR) Board by Gov. Wilson, eventually becoming Chair, under the auspices of the California State Department of Health Services. 

Around 2000, I was appointed to the CMA Foundation Board ( now Physicians for a Healthy California ) during our inaugural work on Antibiotic Resistance Awareness and the birth of EMOS. I was also a CALPAC Board member for many cycles.

Parallel to my involvement with CMA. I became very politically active in California politics, being elected by the voters of San Luis Obispo County to representation on the Republican Central Committee. I became a member of the California Republican Party (CRP), eventually elected to the Executive Committee and Resolutions Committee. Those were years absent the bitter partisan polarization we now see, but they taught me important lessons in civil discourse as a physician in public life.

As County Central Committee Chair, I led San Luis Obispo County as the CRP’s “County of the Year” for flipping voter registration for the party. Our activism attracted those at the national level, with the first active Presidential campaign stops in SLO County history. I hosted (and emceed) the Dole for President, 1996 and Bush for President 2000 events with the candidates, standing in front of thousands of supporters ( and a few protestors! ).

I learned quite a few things during my tenure in partisan politics about crafting health policy in the political arena. "Good healthcare policy transcends partisanship" was my "northstar" in these deliberations ( a view I still hold dearly). My mentors were legends in CMA lore…Steve Thompson, Jack Lewin, Dean Chalios, Elizabeth McNeil, Fred Noteware, Carol Lee to mention a few. I owe them a debt of gratitude for the things I learned as a young physician activist. 

Early in my career I recognized the American healthcare financing system posed one of the greatest threats to our patients, especially in my ability to make individual decisions for their benefit. The health insurance industry was adept at creating schemes and mechanisms which did not put the patient front and center. And, this entity, flush with cash, didn’t fear lawsuits or professional organizations. BUT what they feared MOST was the legislature and its powers. 

That was my primary impetus to run for the State Assembly in June, 1998. And these same health insurance companies poured thousands of dollars into my opponents coffers in an attempt to stifle my candidacy (and YOUR voices). I was one of the earliest physician candidates assisted by CMA during this season of California history. The 33rd AD was a strong Republican district then and we worked hard, toiling in a large open primary field. I came up second, within a few points of winning. Second was not good enough, but that experience allowed for many important lessons and we were successful later in elevating physician voices. Thank you CMA. I will always be eternally grateful to CMA and CalPac and the auxiliary organizations in standing by me during that challenging time. 

In the years that followed, I was the appointed the CMA representative to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Convention in Washington DC. I became increasing involved with national (and international) pharmaceutical policy issues, eventually being voted on the Board of USP, becoming President from 2007-2010. In that role, I oversaw the policy-setting convention, with 400 leaders of pharmacy, industry, government and academia. It was my greatest test of convening skills. During my tenure, the USP opened drug standards facilities in China, Brazil and India. Many of my predecessors served as Commissioners of the FDA, but that would not be my path. 

I was honored by being elected by the Central Coast Medical Association and the Ventura County Medical Association ( District V) in 2018 to serve on the Board of Trustees. My tenure there has been profoundly interesting. None of us saw the pandemic coming and to be a leader in medicine during the worst public health crises of the century was breathtaking. Through CMA, I served on the re-opening commission of CMA, participated in Zoom calls with members of the CDPH and Governors office . I also served on several important TAC’s including the GTAC and Restorative Justice. 

I will say unequivocally, I have been blessed on this medical journey with the experiences and friendships developed along the way. Running for President-elect now represents another chapter in my journey within the House of Medicine. 

I am honored to be considered by the House of Delegates for the office of President-elect of the California Medical Association.