The position involves being a key spokesperson on public health issues and advising the governor on how to address risks and challenges as effectively and early as possible.
By Araceli Martinez Ortega | La Opinion | AUG. 26, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the State of California
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Dr. Diana Ramos, with more than three decades of experience in public health, as a surgeon general of California. She is the first Latina to hold the position.
"I couldn't feel more honored to serve as the next surgeon general in California. I see it as an opportunity to do the good job that California is known to do," Dr. Ramos said in a statement.
"My hope for every Californian is a healthier and more equitable future. That is my commitment and that of the Office of the Surgeon General of California."
Governor Newsom showed that the California Surgeon General plays a fundamental role in leading focused solutions to address the root causes of our most pressing health challenges and inequalities.
She assured that Dr. Ramos is a distinguished leader in medicine and a reliable public health expert who will bring a life of experience in the protection and promotion of the health of vulnerable communities.
"I look forward to you working with us to advance the state's urgent priorities on women's health, mental health, the epidemic of armed violence; and much more, as we continue our work to improve the health and well-being of all Californians."
Dr. Ramos is 55 years old, from Laguna Beach, and has served as a public health administrator at the Center for Healthy Communities of the California Department of Public Health since 2021.
She has been an assistant clinical professor at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California since 1999. Also a doctor at Kaiser Permanente since 1998. She has been the founder and executive director of Gami-Fi Health since 2018.
She was a public health officer in the California Department of Public Health from 2017 to 2021 and director of reproductive health in the Division of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health from 2005 to 2017.
She was also a medical director at Alpha Medical Center Inc. from 2003 to 2005; and was a regional specialist in Medical Research at Pfizer Inc. from 2000 to 2003 and a plant obstetrician at the Humanitarian Clinic from 1999 to 2000.
He obtained a master's degree in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master's degree in business administration from the Irvine School of Business at the University of California and a doctorate degree in medicine from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
This position requires confirmation from the Senate and the compensation is $216,420. Dr. Ramos is registered as an independent voter.
Governor Newsom established the role of Surgeon General in 2019 on his first day in office as part of a series of important proposals and health care actions.
The California Surgeon General is a key spokesperson on public health issues throughout the state and advises the Governor on efforts to address health risks and challenges as effectively and early as possible.
Dr. Ramos said that the first surgeon general in California, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, laid the foundations for this office to be an influential force, launching a movement to address the long-term health impacts of adverse childhood experiences.
Dr. Burke Harris, said Dr. Ramos, focused on early childhood development and raised the needs of vulnerable communities during the greatest collective trauma of the century: the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated existing health problems.
"I am well aware that, although we are all Californians, our experiences differ a lot. Many of us face economic difficulties, mental health conditions, trauma, pain, homelessness, addiction, racism, attacks on our bodies, our choices and more."
They applaud their appointment
The president of the California Association of Physicians, Robert E. Wailes said that the California Association of Physicians could not be more proud of the appointment of Dr. Ramos as a surgeon general of California.
"As a doctor and in her many leadership roles, Dr. Ramos has worked tirelessly to address health disparities and ensure that everyone has access to medical care. We hope that Dr. Ramos will bring her vision and voice to Sacramento to create a healthier California for everyone."
The Democratic senator from Los Angeles and leader of the Latino bench in the California state legislature, María Elena Durazo, applauded Governor Newsom for appointing Dr. Ramos as the first Latina to head the Office of the Surgeon General.
"As an assistant clinical professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the first Latino and public health physician to hold the position of president of the Orange County Medical Association and a medical official of the California Department of Public Health, she is exceptionally qualified to lead the General Surgeon's office in the state," Senator Durazo said.
"Despite representing 20% of the population of California, Latina women continue to be underrepresented in almost all sectors. At the national level, they represent only 2.4% of all doctors in the United States," he added.
And she pointed out that as the next general surgeon, Dr. Ramos will continue to promote the health and well-being of all Californians and will promote science-based solutions for our most pressing health challenges.
"Dr. Ramos is the public servant we need to lead our response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."
