April 2026

A P R I L 2026 Official Publication of SDCMS

SDCMS ELECTIONS

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS 2026–2027 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Contents APRIL

Editor: William T–C Tseng, MD, MPH Editorial Board: James Santiago Grisolia, MD; William T-C Tseng, MD; Holly B. Yang, MD, MSHPEd, HMDC, FACP, FAAHPM Marketing & Production Manager: Jennifer Rohr Art Director: Lisa Williams Copy Editor: Adam Elder

VOLUME 113, NUMBER 4

OFFICERS President: Preeti S. Mehta, MD President–Elect: Maria T. Carriedo-Ceniceros, MD Immediate Past President: Steve H. Koh, MD Secretary: Karrar H. Ali, DO, MPH Treasurer: Rakesh R. Patel, MD, FAAFP, MBA GEOGRAPHIC DIRECTORS East County #2: Rachel B. Van Hollebeke, MD Hillcrest #1: Vikant Gulati, MD Hillcrest #2: Stephen R. Hayden, MD (Delegation Chair) Kearny Mesa #1: Anthony E. Magit, MD, MPH Kearny Mesa #2: Dustin H. Wailes, MD La Jolla #1: Toluwalase (Lase) A. Ajayi, MD La Jolla #2: Audra R. Meadows, MD La Jolla #3: Emily A. Nagler, MD North County #1: Arlene J. Morales, MD (Board Representative to the Executive Committee) North County #2: Phil E. Yphantides, MD North County #3: Nina Chaya, MD South Bay #1: Paul J. Manos, DO South Bay #2: Latisa S. Carson, MD AT–LARGE DIRECTORS #1: Steven L.W. Chen, MD, FACS, MBA (Board Representative to the Executive Committee) #2: Kelly C. Motadel, MD, MPH #3: Kyle P. Edmonds, MD #5: Daniel D. Klaristenfeld, MD #6: Alexander K. Quick, MD #7: Karl E. Steinberg, MD, FAAFP #8: Alejandra Postlethwaite, MD ADDITIONAL VOTING DIRECTORS Young Physician: Quinne C. Sember, MD Retired Physician: Mitsuo Tomita, MD Medical Student: Adarsh Jagadish CMA OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES Trustee: Sergio R. Flores, MD Trustee: Timothy A. Murphy, MD Trustee: William T–C Tseng, MD, MPH Trustee: Holly B. Yang, MD, MSHPEd, HMDC, FACP, FAAHPM AMA DELEGATES AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES District I: Mihir Y. Parikh, MD District I Alternate: William T–C Tseng, MD, MPH At–Large: Kyle P. Edmonds, MD At–Large: Sergio R. Flores, MD At–Large: Robert E. Hertzka, MD At–Large: Theodore M. Mazer, MD At–Large: Albert Ray, MD At–Large: Holly B. Yang, MD, MSHPEd, HMDC, FACP, FAAHPM CMA DELEGATES District I: Christopher M. Bergeron, MD, FACS District I: Corrie D. Broudy, MD District I: Mojgan Hosseini, MD District I: Quinn K. Lippmann, MD District I: Yolanda Marzan, MD District I: Bijal V. Patel, MD District I: Eric L. Rafla-Yuan, MD District I: Ran Regev, MD District I: Kristen N. Rice, MD District I: Kosala Samarasinghe, MD District I: Mark W. Sornson, MD District I: Wynnshang (Wayne) C. Sun, MD District I: Patrick A. Tellez, MD, MHSA, MPH District I: Randy J. Young, MD District I: Nicholas (dr. Nick) J. Yphantides, MD, MPH RFS Delegate: Shawn A. Ali, MD

Opinions expressed by authors are their own and not necessarily those of San Diego Physician or SDCMS. San Diego Physician reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity and length as well as to reject any material submitted. Not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Advertising rates and information sent upon request. Acceptance of advertising in San Diego Physician in no way constitutes approval or endorsement

by SDCMS of products or services advertised. San Diego Physician and SDCMS reserve the right to reject any advertising. Address all editorial communications to Editor@SDCMS.org. All advertising inquiries can be sent to DPebdani@SDCMS.org. San Diego Physician is published monthly on the first of the month. Subscription rates are $35.00 per year. For subscriptions, email Editor@SDCMS.org. [San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) Printed in the U.S.A.]

FEATURE

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Candidate Statements 2026–2027 SDCMS Board of Directors

DEPARTMENTS

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Dr. Oz Says California’s Not Fighting Healthcare Fraud, but Data Shows It’s Part of a Larger Battle

By Don Thompson

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Briefly Noted: Advocacy • Medical Student Leaders • Medicare/Medicaid

SDCMS Holds Successful Board of Directors Annual Retreat

By Paul Hegyi, MBA

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San Ysidro Health and San Diego PACE: Advancing Care and Developing the Next Generation of Providers

The Second Patient

By Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FAAOS, FACS, PCC

SDCMS Benefits Spotlight

By Hanna Basler

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A Few Powerful Words

By Helane Fronek, MD, FACP, FASVLM, FAMWA

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Classifieds SANDIEGOPHYSICIAN.ORG

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ADVOCACY

CMA Opposes Dangerous Ballot Measure Threatening Community Health Clinics WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: CMA IS strongly opposing a proposed statewide ballot initiative that would strip billions of dollars from vital health centers and clinics, inevitably leading to widespread clinic closures and jeopardizing care for millions of vulnerable Californians.

The California Medical Association (CMA) is firmly opposing a misguided statewide ballot initiative — currently gathering signatures to qualify for the November 2026 election — that would destabilize the state’s healthcare safety net. While the proposal — being pushed by SEIU-UHW — is being presented to voters as an accountability and transparency measure, its stringent spending regulations risk financially crippling the very facilities that millions of vulnerable, low-income Californians rely on for essential medical services.

A Devastating Impact on Safety-Net Clinics Community health centers and clinics are the backbone of California’s healthcare system.

They are the primary providers of comprehensive, preventive care for low-income, underserved and rural populations across the state.

According to a recent analysis conducted by the Berkeley Research Group and the state’s former legislative analyst, this initiative would divert an estimated $1.7 billion annually away from clinics through crippling financial penalties. This staggering loss of funding would put two-thirds of the state’s community health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers at severe risk of permanent closure.

“In many rural and underserved regions where I care for patients, community health centers and clinics are often the only source of care,” said CMA President René Bravo, MD. “This measure will force clinics to cut services or even close. Patients will lose access to care, and the health of entire communities will be put at risk. The California Medical Association

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is proud to stand up for patients and community health centers in opposition to this reckless ballot measure.”

The loss of this funding would be catastrophic for California’s patients, including families, seniors, and individuals who rely heavily on these centers as their primary source of care.

Worsening the Healthcare Crisis and Overcrowding ERs California’s healthcare infrastructure is already grappling with workforce shortages and the devastating fallout from H.R. 1’s historic cuts to healthcare programs that the state relies on.

If passed, this ballot measure would compound these existing challenges, forcing clinics to drastically reduce their services, lay off staff or shut their doors entirely.

The measure would not allow clinics to keep funding in reserves or to make capital investments, thereby limiting their ability to purchase new equipment or technologies, open new clinics, or make any upgrades or expansions to health centers and clinics throughout the state.

When vulnerable patients lose access to local community health centers, they do not stop needing care; instead, they are forced to seek basic medical attention in already overburdened emergency departments. This shift inevitably leads to crowded waiting rooms with longer wait times, delayed treatments, and increased healthcare costs for everyone.

As California works to build a more resilient healthcare workforce and expand equity in medicine, this proposal would drastically pull the state backward. CMA is proud to join a broad coalition of civil rights organizations, social justice advocates, and fellow healthcare leaders in opposing this dangerous measure.

We will continue to champion policies that protect patients and support our essential care delivery systems.

MEDICAL STUDENT LEADERS

UCSD Medical Students on Capitol Hill UC SAN DIEGO MEDICAL students were on Capitol Hill recently for the American Medical Association (AMA) Medical Student Advocacy Conference. From left to right, Sweta Parija, Christina Noravian, and Sam Fuentes.

These outstanding students are the next generation of physician leadership for California.

Dr. Robert Hertzka, legislative chair for the San Diego County Medical Society, helped them arrange meetings with eleven U.S. House congressional offices over a whirlwind two days.

MEDICARE / MEDICAID

CMS to Require Use of New Advance Beneficiary Notice Starting May 13 THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) HAS posted an updated Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN), Form CMSR-131. The form is effective immediately and will expire on March 31, 2029.

As previously reported, the old form expired on January 31, 2026. According to CMS, there will be a short transition period during which practices can continue to use the expired ABN form. However, effective May 13, 2026, the expired ABN will no longer be accepted and practices must begin using the new form with the March 31, 2029 expiration date. Practices are encouraged to transition to the updated form as soon as possible.

More information can be found on the CMS website.

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Note: • (inc.) After Name = Incumbent • Number in Parentheses (#) After Name = Term Length in Years OFFICERS

Candidate Statements 202 6–27 SD CMS B OA R D OF DI R E C T OR S

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Candidate for PresidentElect: Karrar H. Ali, DO, MPH (1) I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for the position of president-elect.

Serving on the executive committee of the San Diego County Medical Society has been deeply meaningful to me, and I remain committed to supporting an environment in which physicians across our county can succeed and flourish.

I am an emergency medicine physician with nearly two decades of clinical experience. I completed my education and training in Chicago and relocated to San Diego in 2007, where I joined Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. I currently serve as a senior partner with Vituity, a national, physician-led, multi-specialty group that provides emergency services at Sharp Chula Vista. Over the years, I have had the privilege of contributing to both my physician group and the Sharp healthcare system, including roles on the hospital throughput committee and the medical executive committee at Sharp Chula Vista. In addition, I am an adjunct faculty with the University of Rochester’s Mindfulness in Medicine program, where I facilitate mindfulness and wellness sessions for healthcare professionals.

My involvement with the San Diego County Medical Society spans more than 10 years as a member of the Board of Directors. The advocacy and educational efforts of SDCMS, in partnership with the California Medical Association, have had a meaningful impact on physicians across specialties. These efforts have been especially critical in protecting MICRA, supporting physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, and addressing challenges to Medi-Cal and patient access to care.

I am eager to continue advocating on behalf of my colleagues throughout San Diego County, ensuring that physicians are supported so they can best care for their patients and help them navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system.

SDCMS ELECTIONS

Outside of medicine, I live with my wife, Shahrzad Nooravi, a business psychologist, and my nephew, a UCSD student who hopes to pursue a career in medicine. Three years ago, I started a concierge medical practice and now have joined Coastal Concierge Physicians, a membership-based group practice serving La Jolla and the surrounding areas. Thank you for your continued support and consideration.

Candidate for Secretary: Rakesh R. Patel, MD, FAAFP, MBA (1) I am honored to be nominated for the position of secretary of the San Diego County Medical Society. I am a family physician and the CEO of Neighborhood Healthcare, a Federally Qualified Health Center and PACE organization, serving more than 100,000 patients who are underserved and medically needy. I am also a CMA delegate representing the Medium Size Group Practice Forum as well as serve on the Council of Legislation. My background in family medicine allows me to speak of the various challenges of primary care: access, reimbursement, administrative burdens, staffing, etc. I also understand the many challenges of running a healthcare organization.

My overarching goals are to improve the health of our community while continuing to advocate for the under- and uninsured.

Candidate for Treasurer: Arlene J. Morales, MD (1) I would like to continue to represent my colleagues but changing my role from the North County geographic director to the treasurer for the San Diego County Medical Society. I am a reproductive endocrinologist/infertility specialist and founded Fertility Specialists Medical Group in 2000.

Since my first term, I have served on the State CALPAC (our CMA fundraising arm) as well as on the SDCMS Legislative Committee, where we interview local political candidates to assess their alignment with physicians’ concerns. I have been involved with SDCMS since 2000 in several long-term capacities ranging from Bio-

ethics to Physician Wellness Committees as well as several leadership positions throughout my career in both academics and hospital systems.

The SDCMS provides a vital forum/ tool for physician voices to be heard by the public and government bodies both locally and statewide.

SDCMS also provides a space for physicians to collaborate on issues central to continued excellence in patient care as well as our own wellness. Our voices are critical in today’s changing medical landscape, where the physician-patient relationship is being influenced by several other stakeholders. It has been a privilege to serve on the SDCMS board, and I ask for your continued trust and support.

GEOGRAPHIC DIRECTORS

Candidate for East County Director #1: Randall J. Young, MD, FACEP, MMM (3) I am honored to

be considered for the position of East County Director with the San Diego County Medical Society. I have been a practicing emergency physician in Southern California for the past 16 years, working in a combination of academic and private hospital settings. Since 2012, I have practiced with Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) in San Diego County.

In addition to my full-time clinical work — primarily at San Marcos Medical Center — I have held a variety of leadership roles within SCPMG, including co-chair of both the Emergency Operations Committee and the Emergency Management Committee for the San Diego service area, physician in charge of Urgent Care Services for southern San Diego County, and faculty member with Kaiser Permanente’s first Emergency Medicine Residency Program.

Most recently, I have divided my time between bedside clinical care and SCPMG’s regional Emergency Prospective Review Program, where I collaborate with emergency physicians throughout California to discuss patient care.

Outside of SCPMG, I currently serve as a volunteer oral examiner for the American Board of Emergency Medicine and as a member of the steering committee for the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). In this role, I help national ACEP leadership better understand and respond to the needs of the physicians they represent.

I believe my experience in clinical medicine, physician leadership, and state and national advocacy has given me both the perspective and the skills necessary to effectively represent East County physicians and advocate for initiatives that improve the health of all San Diegans.

Thank you for your consideration. I would be honored to have your vote.

Candidate for Kearny Mesa Director #2: Dustin H. Wailes, MD (inc.) (3) I am honored to be seeking re-election as the Kearny Mesa director on the SDCMS Board of Directors. As a cardiac anesthesiologist in private practice at ASMG and working at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, I firmly believe that representing physicians and

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our patients is more crucial than ever.

Major policy shifts can occur rapidly, and without the advocacy of SDCMS and CMA, vulnerable patients may be at risk. It is essential that physicians collaborate with a unified voice to shape healthcare policy, ultimately improving the lives of our patients and advancing our profession.

If elected, I am committed to continuing my role in SDCMS, advocating for the professional and patient community.

Candidate for La Jolla Director #2: Audra R. Meadows, MD, MPH, FACOG (inc.) (3) I am honored to be considered for a position on the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) Board of Directors.

As a board-certified OB-GYN, professor, and vice chair at UC San Diego, I have dedicated my career to strengthening physician leadership, transforming health systems, and advancing policies that promote equitable, excellent care for all.

Throughout my career, I have served in key leadership roles within organized medicine, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Massachusetts Section and the Massachusetts Medical Society, where I worked to shape maternal health policies and statewide quality initiatives. As a founding director of the Perinatal-Neonatal Quality Improvement Network of Massachusetts (PNQIN) and lead for the state’s AIM Initiative and Maternal Equity Bundle, I collaborated with hospitals, policymakers, and clinicians to drive measurable improvements in maternal outcomes across more than 30 hospitals.

At UC San Diego, my work continues this mission through NIH-funded research, health systems science education, equity-focused perinatal quality improvement, and leadership in the Center for Learning Health Systems.

SDCMS plays a vital role in advocating for physicians, strengthening professional wellbeing, and ensuring healthcare policies reflect the needs of both providers and patients.

As a strong advocate for physicians at every stage of their careers, I am committed to bringing my expertise in policy, quality improve-

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ment, and health system leadership to the board. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues, advocate for our profession, and strengthen the future of medicine in San Diego. It would be an honor to contribute my experience to the important work of SDCMS.

Candidate for North County Director #1: Quinn K. Lippmann, MD, FACOG, MPH (1) I am honored to be considered for the position as North County Director on the San Diego County Medical Society board. It is a privilege to work with physicians across many specialties and practice types to unify our voices and work toward improving healthcare for our patients and quality of life for our members.

I am a member of the CMA Council on Medical Services, helping to identify issues most relevant to our state medical community and craft resolutions that

guide our legislative priorities. I am also the current vice chair of the District I Delegation to the House of Delegates.

As a urogynecologist with the Permanente group, I bring the perspective of a large-group physician. Prior to moving to California in 2023, I was a partner in a 30-physician private practice in Virginia. Working in two very different practice models has given me varying perspectives that allow me to see different sides of the patient and physician experience and I bring this broad view to the board. I am passionate about organized medicine and love engaging new physicians and medical students, and showing that while this work is serious, it is also fun and invigorating!

With the tumultuous political landscape, coming together as physicians is more vital than ever, and I would be honored to continue my work with the SDCMS board.

Candidate for South Bay Director #2: Latisa S. Carson, MD, FACOG, DABOM (inc.) (3) First, I would like to thank you for electing me as South Bay Director to the San Diego County Medical Society Board last term.

As a reintroduction, I grew up in the south county of San Diego and returned home in 2001 to practice medicine. I have had privileges at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Scripps Mercy Chula Vista, and Paradise Valley Hospital. I have served on several hospital committees and on the Sharp Quality Committee.

I was recently elected by my colleagues to the position of OB-GYN department chairman at Sharp Chula Vista Hospital. I have been in solo private practice as an obstetrician gynecologist in the south county of San Diego for more than 20 years. I am also board certified in obesity medicine and have a special interest in improving the health of those in my community. I have brought the perspective of providing care to a substantial portion of the underserved population and the struggles of being a private practice physician in this current challenging medical and political climate.

It has been an extreme privilege and honor to serve and represent the physicians and

SDCMS ELECTIONS

patients of the south county of San Diego. In this capacity, I have been mentored by members of SDCMS, CMA, and AMA boards on effective advocacy at the local, state, and national level.

It has been an exciting experience, and I would like to continue to make a positive impact in healthcare policy and legislation.

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

Candidate for At-large Director #1: Steven L. Chen, MD, FACS, MBA (inc.) (3) It is an honor to be considered for reelection to an at-large director position for SDCMS. As a surgical oncologist in independent practice with offices in Mira Mesa and Encinitas, I hold privileges in the Scripps, Sharp, and Palomar systems, allowing me to get a broad overview of county issues. Prior to my current practice, I have been an academic physician at UC Davis while serving as chief of breast surgery and an employed physician at City of Hope in Los Angeles.

Through these different places, I have developed experience in multiple practice modes and will ensure that our policies and positions take all modes of practice into account. My experience in organized medicine has spanned serving on the board of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society, as well as nationally including being a past president of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, as well as prior service on the governing councils of the Young Physicians Section of the AMA and the Young Fellows Association of the American College of Surgeons.

I continue to serve on committees of the AMA, American College of Surgeons, and the Society of Surgical Oncology, allowing me to stay up to date on the issues facing the professional practice of surgery and medicine, while also serving as a delegate in the AMA House of Delegates, giving me a broader view of the needs of other specialties.

I continue to believe that if we do not defend our profession and our ability to act as professionals in the best interests of our patients, we will lose the right to be a profession. SDCMS and or-

ganized medicine are key links to ensuring that being a physician continues to mean being a professional.

I ask for your support to allow me to help represent you and your concerns.

Candidate for At-large Director #4: Jessica L. Thackaberry, MD (3)

I am honored to be considered for the position of at-large director #4 for SDCMS Board of Directors for the coming term.

I work as an inpatient psychiatrist at UCSD, and have served our community here in San Diego since 2012. I have been involved with the CMA House of Delegates on the Specialty Delegation representing the California State Association of Psychiatrists as well as the CMA Council on Legislation since 2021, and have thoroughly enjoyed the work I have done with CMA. I look forward to potentially spending more time with District 1 of CMA, and to focus on the needs

of my own community, bringing physicians together in advocacy for our patients and for physicians in California. I am heavily involved in the American Psychiatric Association as well, and through it I have participated in multiple advocacy days, both in Sacramento and Washington, DC, and believe that organized medicine is one of the means with which we as physicians make change in our communities and our country.

I look forward to joining the SDCMS team in advocacy efforts.

Candidate for At-large Director #6: Alexander K. Quick, MD (inc.) (3) It has been a privilege serving on the Board of Directors for the San Diego County Medical Society and it would be an honor to continue. I believe SDCMS does an amazing job of advocating for patients and their physicians, and I hope to help the collective effort.

Candidate for At-large Director #8: Steve H. Koh, MD, MBA, MPH (3) Dear colleagues, it has been an honor and a privilege to have been your president and now stepping down as immediate past president. My term reinforced in my mind of the importance of our organization in shaping the best possible care for our patients in San Diego. As physicians, we are stronger when together, focusing on the science of health and aligned toward what is best for our patients.

To that end, I am extremely proud to be on the slate for ongoing service to the organization as at-large director. I hope to continue our work together. Thank you for your consideration.

YPS DIRECTOR

Candidate for YPS Director: Quinne C. Sember, MD (inc.) (1) I completed my fellowship in hematology/oncology at Scripps in June 2024 and now work as a

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breast medical oncologist at Scripps. Physicians who are new attendings face unique challenges.

I recognize the important role that the SDCMS can play in improving these issues and hope to broaden its influence among my peers.

I first joined the SDCMS while in fellowship and have been impressed by my experiences with it thus far. I have prior experience in organized medicine, including serving as a district delegate in the Resident and Fellow Section of CMA during my time in fellowship, and experience with the Texas Medical Association and physician advocacy groups working to improve healthcare for patients in Houston during my internal medicine residency.

I have now served as the Young Physician Section director for SDCMS for the past year.

I hope to continue to expand my experience in organized medicine through SDCMS as I appreciate the important role organizations such as these can play in ensuring the future of medicine is bright for all of those involved.

I am honored to be considered for this role.

RESIDENT DIRECTOR

Candidate for Resident Director: Shawn A. Ali, MD (1) I am honored to be considered for the 2026– 2027 resident director position with the San Diego County Medical Society. This past year, I was privileged to serve as the District I RFS delegate. During my tenure, I actively participated in the House of Delegates and contributed to the discussion and adoption of CMA policies, advocating for issues impacting trainees and early-career physicians.

I began my medical training in San Diego and returned to complete my hematology/oncology fellowship, reinforcing my long-standing commitment to this community. I am deeply invested in improving access to high-quality care, promoting physician wellbeing, and advancing medical education.

As resident director, I aim to continue elevating the voices of residents and fellows, ensuring our perspectives inform policy and drive meaningful, equitable change.

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CMA DISTRICT I DELEGATES

Candidate for CMA District I Delegate: Puja Chitkara, MD (3) I am honored to seek the opportunity to serve as District I delegate on the Board of Directors of the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS).

SDCMS stands at the forefront of healthcare advocacy, playing a critical role in advancing the interests of both patients and physicians in San Diego County, while also representing our shared challenges and priorities at the state and national levels.

I am a subspecialtytrained rheumatologist with advanced training in clinical investigation from the National Institutes of Health. I am the founder and CEO of the Center for Rheumatology Excellence (CARE), with locations in San Diego and Chula Vista, where we are committed to delivering compassionate, innovative, and value-based care to patients living with rheumatologic diseases.

My leadership experience includes serving as past president and current board member of the San Diego Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. I also serve as the San Diego chapter lead for the Alliance for Women in Rheumatology (AWIR), an international organization dedicated to advancing career development and leadership opportunities for women in rheumatology. Under my leadership, our chapter recently completed a highly successful membership recruitment campaign, earning top national recognition from AWIR for achieving the greatest increase in new members among all local chapters.

Additionally, I have served two consecutive terms on the Board of Directors of the Sharp Foundation. I take great pride in supporting the organizations and communities I represent and in working collaboratively to advance meaningful initiatives.

If elected, I look forward to bringing the same energy, dedication, and collaborative spirit to SDCMS. I am committed to supporting our physician members, strengthening advocacy efforts, and partnering with fellow board members to further the mission and vision of SDCMS leadership.

Candidate for CMA District I Delegate: Eric L. Rafla-Yuan, MD (inc.) (3) Thank you for considering me for re-election as District 1 delegate on the San Diego County Medical Society Board. I take this role seriously because advocating for our patients, our profession, and our communities is one of our most important responsibilities as physicians.

This is a particularly critical moment. Medicine is facing sustained attacks on science and evidence-based practice. Meeting that challenge requires physicians standing together — locally, statewide, and nationally — to defend sound policy and protect public health.

In California, we also face major policy shifts ahead, including upcoming leadership changes in Sacramento and the need to understand and adapt to the impacts of H.R. 1. I am committed to keeping San Diego physicians’ voices at the table and ensuring that our patients and our profession are not left behind.

Thank you again for your consideration.

SDCMS ELECTIONS

Candidate for CMA District I Delegate: Ran Regev, MD (inc.) (3) No Statement Candidate for CMA District I Delegate: Kosala Samarasinghe, MD (inc.) (3) I am asking for your support as I run for a District I delegate seat at SDCMS. It has been my privilege to serve as a District 1 delegate for the last three years. I previously served as your at-large alternate director for six years. Prior to that I served as your East County Geographic Director. I have had the honor of serving on the SDCMS Board of Directors for more than 15 years to help improve healthcare access to our patients while advocating for physician rights.

I am an internist and have been in the San Diego medical community for more than 20 years. I started my career in Southern California working with Neighborhood HealthCare, a federally qualified clinic caring for the lives of the underserved population in northeastern San Diego. My career later led me to a private practice in East County with Alvarado Medical Group. As my professional career in East County began to grow, I found great rewards by being part of organized medicine. I became involved at Alvarado

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serve on the Retirement committee.

My involvement on the SDCMS board has enabled me to represent patients and physicians in San Diego as well as the rest of California. There has been a drastic paradigm shift in healthcare reform during the past decade and the next few years will continue to be challenging. We continue to struggle with patient access, physician welfare, and the demands of the EMR system.

Scripps has opened up walk-in clinics, on-demand appointments, and expanded telehealth appointments to help facilitate patient access. Physicians continue to struggle with their work-life balance as the expanding EMR capabilities challenge our patient care time. We are working diligently with those who have a stake in physician wellness to help us succeed in delivering quality care to our patients. It is imperative that physician voices be heard not only to protect our profession, but also to protect the rights of our patients.

My interest in medicine has also allowed me to help shape the minds of young physicians. I have been privileged with the honor of proctoring first- and second-year medical students from UCSD in my clinic and have participated in their careers pathway program. I have also proctored the PA students from Stanford University. These have been very rewarding experiences. I wish to continue contributing not only to the young physicians in our community but also to the experienced physicians as well.

Please allow me to continue to serve on the SDCMS Board of Directors to represent physicians and their patient interests.

Hospital, initially serving on hospital committees and rose up the leadership ladder to become the chief of medicine at Alvarado Hospital.

I was also a past president of Alvarado Medical Group. Being the chief of medicine at Alvarado is what ultimately led me to wanting to be more than a practicing physician. Therefore I joined the SDCMS Board.

For the last 13 years I have worked for Scripps Coastal Medical Group.

Initially after joining Scripps Coastal, I served as the site lead at the Alvarado location, then moved my practice to the Hillcrest location. I served on the Scripps Coastal Board of Directors, fulfilling two separate, three-year terms. I currently

MAY 2025

Official Publication of SDCMS

HEALTHCARE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

O C TO B E R 202 5

Official Publication of SDCMS

THE

ISSUE

PHYSICIAN SUICIDE Something Needs to Change

Contact Jennifer Rohr at 858.437.3476 • Jennifer.Rohr@SDCMS.org

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SDCMS Holds Successful Board of Directors Annual Retreat

By Paul Hegyi, MBA

THE OMNI RANCHO LAS PALMAS Resort in Rancho Mirage was once again the location of the San Diego County Medical Society’s annual Board of Directors retreat. Led by SDCMS President-Elect Maria T. CarriedoCeniceros, MD, the board tackled an aggressive agenda over a blistering February weekend in the desert.

SDCMS legend and Legislative Committee chair Robert E. Hertzka, MD presented a detailed and comprehensive history of federal funding for healthcare, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and the latest development with H.R. 1, Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

Andrew Gonzalez, director of SDCMS’s Physician Pathways Initiative, engaged an animated board on how best to pursue our efforts to connect students and early-career learners with pre-health and healthcareer opportunities across San Diego County and beyond. Board members were enthusiastic and debated various outreach possibilities to middle-school, high-school and college students. You can learn more about our Physician Pathway efforts at sdcms.org.

We also heard a detailed and thorough presentation from David H. Aizuss, MD, a California ophthalmologist who serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Association (AMA), on artificial intelligence in medicine and the AMA’s evolving policies in this ever-changing

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area impacting healthcare. This is obviously an area the AMA and professional medical associations will be grappling with intensively in the years to come.

San Diego County Medical Society Past President Sergio R. Flores, MD, current chair of the California Medical Association Board of Trustees, was honored with a belated Official Resolution from the California State Legislature for his service during his presidency.

Board members also heard from former Arizona state legislator and emergency room physician Amish Shah, MD, MPH, who is a leading

candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. Dr. Shah’s impressive background and fascinating discussion of his record and the issues explained why he is favored to win. We desperately need more physicians in Congress, and Dr. Shah promises to be an important one after November.

One of the highlights of the retreat for many of the physicians was the presence of two UC San Diego School of Medicine students: Adarsh Jagadish and Apoorva Subramanian, who serve on the board. Adarsh and Apoorva were a positive reminder that the future of medicine is in good hands.

Paul Hegyi is the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego County Medical Society.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

San Ysidro Health and San Diego PACE: Advancing Care and Developing the Next Generation of Providers

By San Ysidro Health FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS (FQHCS), also known as Community Health Centers (CHCs), are a cornerstone of the U.S. healthcare safety net. They deliver comprehensive, high-quality primary and preventive care to individuals and families regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Serving communities disproportionately impacted by poverty, chronic disease, language barriers, and limited access to care, FQHCs operate under rigorous federal standards that emphasize quality, accountability, and community governance. Their role is both clinical and societal: improving the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves with access for all.

San Ysidro Health exemplifies this mission. Founded in 1969 by seven determined mothers in the border community of San Ysidro, the organization was born from a simple yet urgent need: Families in their neighborhood had nowhere to turn for care. More than five decades later, that community-led effort has grown into one of the region’s largest community health systems. Today, San Ysidro Health operates 50 sites across San Diego County, serving more than 162,000 patients annually with the support of more than 3,200 staff members.

San Ysidro Health provides a broad continuum of care designed to meet patients where they are. Services include primary medical care, dental care including pediatric and special needs dentistry, behavioral health, and specialty services such as allergy, acupuncture, rheumatology, podiatry, and chiropractic care. These clinical offerings are supported by ancillary services including laboratory, radiology, and home health.

Equally important are the programs that enhance patient experience and outcomes, including case management, outreach and health education, nutrition services, social services and family support programs, and participation in research initiatives. Together, these services reflect a patient centered approach that extends beyond episodic care.

The need for this model is clear. In 2024, 86% of San Ysidro Health patients lived at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Approximately 65% of patients relied on MediCal as their

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primary insurance coverage, while 10% were uninsured and received care through a sliding fee scale based on income. That same year, the organization recorded approximately 714,009 unduplicated patient visits, underscoring both the scale of need and the trust placed in San Ysidro Health by the communities it serves across the region.

Recently, San Ysidro Health welcomed members of the San Diego County Medical Society Retired Physicians group for an in-depth visit to its El

Cajon health center and San Diego PACE sites. The visit offered physicians a close look at how a modern FQHC integrates comprehensive care delivery with workforce development and education. President and CEO Kevin Mattson and Dr. Maria Carriedo-Ceniceros, vice president and chief medical officer and incoming SDCMS Board chair, led discussions on clinical operations, training programs, and the evolving needs of San Diego County’s diverse populations.

“Community health

centers are not only caring for patients today, they are shaping the healthcare workforce of tomorrow,” Dr. Carriedo-Ceniceros said. “Training physicians in high-need, high-impact settings instills cultural humility, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the social factors that influence health.”

San Ysidro Health is a nationally recognized leader in Teaching Health Center workforce development. The organization sponsors five residency programs locally and nationwide, training physicians in high volume, community-based settings that prepare them to practice in underserved areas.

These programs address critical workforce shortages while fostering a commitment to equity, patient centered care, and long-term service. Beyond residency training, San Ysidro Health invests in mentorship, leadership development, and career advancement pathways that support retention and professional growth across disciplines.

San Diego PACE, the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, reflects this integrated and teambased philosophy in action.

PACE provides coordinated, interdisciplinary care to older adults with complex medical and social needs, enabling participants to remain safely in their homes and communities. Physicians visiting the program observed firsthand how multidisciplinary teams including medical providers, nurses, social workers, therapists, and dietitians collaborate daily to deliver comprehensive, individualized care. The model not only improves health outcomes but also enhances quality of life for participants and their families.

Across its network of care, San Ysidro Health re-

mains deeply committed to culturally responsive care. Services are offered in English, Spanish, and other languages, and preventive, behavioral health, and social support programs are embedded throughout the system. The integration of San Ysidro Health and San Diego PACE demonstrates how coordinated care models can respond to complex needs while maintaining dignity, independence, and community connection.

Visits such as the one hosted for SDCMS Retired Physicians highlight the collective effort required to sustain and advance this mission. From frontline clinicians to administrative teams, every role contributes to a culture rooted in compassion, innovation, and excellence. For physicians, these engagements offer insight into the unique opportunities community health centers provide for meaningful clinical practice, teaching, mentorship, and system-level impact.

From its beginnings as a single clinic founded by seven visionary women to a countywide network serving hundreds of thousands, San Ysidro Health’s story is one of purpose-driven growth. By combining comprehensive care, workforce development, and community partnership, the organization continues to expand access, reduce inequities, and prepare the next generation of providers to lead with skill and empathy.

Physicians and healthcare professionals interested in learning more about ways to get involved or support this work are encouraged to contact Maria Mengual-Paredes, director of philanthropy, at giving@syhealth.org.

SANDIEGOPHYSICIAN.ORG

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MEDI-CAL FRAUD

Dr. Oz Says California’s Not Fighting Healthcare Fraud, but Data Shows It’s Part of a Larger Battle

By Don Thompson

FOR WEEKS, MEHMET OZ, MD HAS BEEN WAGING a public feud with California leaders over healthcare fraud, accusing the blue state of failing to adequately combat such abuse.

Dr. Oz, who heads the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, alleged that there was approximately $3.5 billion of fraud in the hospice and home healthcare industry in Los Angeles County alone. “This administration under President [Donald] Trump is not going to tolerate taxpayer dollars being stolen because people aren’t paying attention anymore.

We’re focused on this,” Dr. Oz said. He claimed the fraud was largely orchestrated by the “Russian, Armenian mafia” and said that most of the money spent on home and communitybased services across California “might be fraudulent.”

However, CMS clarified that not all billing activities referenced by Oz were presumed to be improper. And a review of the most recent available data shows that there are hotbeds of healthcare fraud across the country and across practice areas, most of them allegedly perpetrated by health insurers and other domestic actors, and that California outperforms most other states in recovering fraud dollars.

As the temperature heats up in the conflict between the Trump administration and California, a handful of Republican state lawmakers have entered the fray, accusing Gov. Gavin Newsom in a March letter of allowing “rampant fraud.” Democratic state officials insist they aggressively combat fraud, and Newsom has filed a civil rights complaint against Dr. Oz, calling language in the allegations “baseless and racially charged.”

“The Trump Administration is attempting to take the issue of fraud — a very real, and national issue — and weaponize it

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against Democratic states,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in February.

Dr. Oz said on a podcast that he would halt “hundreds of millions of dollars” in payments to California if he didn’t get satisfactory answers from state officials. He and Vice President JD Vance announced in February that they would delay about $260 million in Medicaid payments to Minnesota, another Democratic-led state, over fraud allegations there, and the state is now suing.

Dr. Oz has also launched social media campaigns alleging high-dollar public benefit fraud in Democratic-led Maine and New York. On March 17, he added a Republican-led state to his target list: Florida.

Georgetown University professor Andy Schneider, who served as a senior adviser primarily on Medicaid integrity issues during the Obama administration, said fraud has always been an issue across states, dating back decades. About $3.4 billion in Medicare and Medicaid fraud across the country was recovered in fiscal year 2023, according to the most recent report available. Insurers have paid the highest settlements in alleged healthcare fraud schemes.

“Bad actors trying to steal public healthcare funds have been around for a long time,” Schneider said.

How California Stacks Up The federal government is responsible for Medicare, which primarily benefits older people, while Medicaid, which primarily serves people with lower incomes, is a joint federalstate program. Melissa Rumley, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, said the office could not make state-by-state data on Medicare fraud available because the federal probes often cross jurisdictions.

States file annual reports on actions by Medicaid anti-fraud units that are jointly funded with the federal government and run by state attorneys general. They investigate fraud as well as abuse and neglect of Medicaid patients.

These reports provide a sense of the scale of Medicaid fraud across states. In fiscal 2024, states recovered about $1.4 billion in fraud, compared with $949 billion in total Medicaid spending, according to a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General. California recouped an outsize share, recovering more than 50% of all the criminal recoveries made by the anti-fraud units nationwide in fiscal 2024 even though

the state made up only about 17% of enrollment.

California ranked fourth in the U.S. in 2024 in dollars recovered per Medicaid enrollee across civil and criminal investigations, behind the District of Columbia, Montana, and Delaware. It led all the most populous states, followed in order by Texas, Florida, and New York. (California and federal officials noted that state recovery data varies significantly year to year, often because of the length of investigations.)

Vulnerability of Hospice Care One aspect of healthcare fraud that has been at the center of Dr. Oz’s attack on California is hospice fraud, which has plagued Republican and Democratic administrations.

The use of hospice, intended to provide care to patients expected to die within six months, increased by over 8% from fiscal 2020 to 2024, to about 1.84 million Medicare beneficiaries, driving up costs significantly.

To combat fraud, the Biden administration in 2023 increased oversight of hospices in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.

The Trump administration last year added Ohio and Georgia.

CMS spokesperson Chris Krepich did not say specifically what criteria were used to choose which states to monitor, only that the decision was based on “activity typically indicative of hospice-related fraud.” As of June, the agency had revoked the Medicare enrollment of 122 hospices in the original four states, but Krepich said a breakdown by state was not available.

While Dr. Oz stated there was some $3.5 billion of fraud in the hospice and home healthcare industry in Los Angeles County alone, his agency clarified that the number is for overall Medicare billing related to hospice and home health services. Krepich said that “not all billing activity referenced in the remarks is presumed to be improper” and added that the agency could not identify the amount of fraudulent activity until an “evidence-based” investigation was completed.

That’s not to say there is no truth to allegations of hospice fraud.

A state audit published in 2022 found “numerous indicators” of large-scale fraud in Los Angeles County, and a CBS News investigation highlighted nearly 500 hospices within a 3-mile radius, including 89 companies registered to a single building in Van Nuys. Bonta has acknowledged that “hospice fraud has become an epidemic in California.” He noted that state officials have been aggressively combating it for years, including with new laws.

In January, the state charged several people in Monterey County with hospice fraud. That follows hospice scam cases in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County.

However, California public health officials are overdue in adopting emergency regulations that were supposed to be in place by this year. The state’s Department of Public Health is currently revising the regulations, according to spokesperson Mark Smith.

In the interim, the state has revoked the licenses of more

than 280 hospices over the past two years and is evaluating an additional 300 hospices, according to the governor’s office.

California had more than 2,800 licensed hospice agencies as of 2022, according to the state audit.

Civil Rights Complaint Meanwhile, Newsom is pushing back on Dr. Oz. The governor filed his discrimination complaint with the Office of Civil Rights at HHS, which oversees CMS. The office said it will first decide whether it has the authority to investigate, then, if so, will gather information through interviews and documents. However, the process seems designed to aid individuals who have lost a job to discrimination, or to correct a specific policy, and it is unclear whether there could be any real-world consequences.

The governor wants the agency to address “systematic bias from their leadership,” said Newsom spokesperson Marissa Saldivar.

Krepich said CMS “does not target communities, ethnic groups, or states” and bases its decisions on “confirmed investigative findings.” The allegations of organized fraud refer to “documented criminal cases,” Krepich said, providing a link to a hospice fraud case in which California residents were convicted of using the identities of foreign nationals to steal almost $16 million from Medicare.

It’s unclear what cases Oz was referring to when he spoke of the Russian and Armenian mafia.

Ciaran McEvoy, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Central District of California, which includes Los Angeles County, said it doesn’t track whether hospice fraud defendants are alleged to be foreign nationals, but he pointed to the office’s online prosecution announcements. None alleged involvement by foreign influences or organized crime.

The state audit references allegations in 2010 by the U.S. Justice Department under President Barack Obama that an “Armenian-American organized crime enterprise” was behind a nationwide healthcare scam.

Federal officials at the time described an “international organized crime enterprise” based in Los Angeles and New York but with roots in Russia and Armenia. The scheme involved billing for unneeded medical treatments, not hospice fraud.

A 2020 Los Angeles Times investigation revealed fraud schemes in which hospice operators recruited patients who were not actually terminally ill, then paid kickbacks to doctors who falsely certified these patients as dying so the hospices could bill Medicare. There was no mention of foreign involvement.

Don Thompson is a veteran journalist who now writes for KFF Health News, where this article first appeared, and which is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues.

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PHYSICIAN AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Second Patient

By Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FAAOS, FACS, PCC

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THERE IS A PATIENT MOST PHYSICIANS NEVER formally recognize.

They do not appear on the schedule. They are not listed in the chart. No consent is signed, and no diagnosis is assigned.

Yet they accompany us into nearly every clinical encounter.

They are the patient who came before.

Sometimes the transition is obvious — a difficult outcome, a conversation that did not go as planned, a complication that lingers longer in memory than in documentation. Other times it is quieter: an elderly patient who reminds us of a parent, a young injury that feels unfair, a moment when certainty was harder to find than we expected.

Medicine teaches us to move forward efficiently. Clinics run on time. Operating rooms turn over. Emergency departments never pause. Professionalism, we are taught, means being fully present for the person in front of us. And we try.

But experience reveals something more complicated. We do not arrive to each encounter empty. We carry emotional momentum — relief, doubt, pride, frustration, grief — often unrecognized, sometimes unnamed. Physicians who

have written thoughtfully about the inner life of practice, including longtime contributors to this magazine such as Dr. Helene Fronek, have helped give language to these quieter experiences many of us recognize but rarely name aloud.

The next patient may sense it even when we do not.

I remember finishing a late trauma case involving a badly injured young motorcyclist. The surgery had gone as planned, the fixation stable, the team satisfied. Minutes later, I was meeting another patient and family to explain a far less urgent injury. As I spoke, I realized part of my attention was still in the operating room — replaying decisions, wondering about the night ahead for someone else entirely.

Early in my career, I believed compartmentalization was a skill to master.

Finish one case, mentally close the door, and proceed to the next. Efficiency felt synonymous with success.

The ability to keep moving was evidence that one belonged in medicine.

With time, I began to notice small moments that challenged that assumption — a tone slightly sharper

than intended, a hesitation during an otherwise routine discussion, a fatigue that arrived earlier than expected.

The cause was rarely the current patient.

It was the accumulation of the others.

Physicians become adept at managing responsibility, but less practiced at acknowledging emotional carryover. We are trained to recognize diagnostic bias, cognitive error, and fatigue, yet we rarely discuss the quieter influence of emotional residue — how a previous encounter shapes attention, patience, or empathy in the next.

This is not failure. It is evidence of investment.

To care deeply enough for patients to matter means they inevitably follow us forward, at least for a while.

Over the years, I have come to rely on the brief transitions in a clinical day — the walk between rooms, the pause while hands are washed, the moment before opening the next chart. These intervals are rarely long enough for reflection, but they are often long enough for acknowledgment.

A silent recognition: That case stays here. This patient deserves a new beginning.

Nothing dramatic changes. Perhaps only a small act of awareness. But I have found that even this slight pause alters how I enter the next room.

The conversation feels clearer. Listening becomes easier.

The physician present in the room more closely resembles the one I intend to be.

Medicine often celebrates endurance — the ability to continue despite difficulty. Perhaps an equally important skill is transition: learning how to arrive again and again with renewed attention, even while carrying the cumulative weight of the day — or of years in practice.

We never fully leave our prior patients behind, nor should we want to. They shape judgment, humility, and compassion in ways textbooks cannot.

But each new patient deserves to meet us, not our last experience.

The second patient, the unseen one, will always be there.

The work is not to eliminate their presence, but to recognize it — and gently set it aside, if only for a moment.

And if I am honest, it is a discipline I still practice deliberately, again and again, between one door closing and the next one opening.

Dr. Smith is a practicing orthopedic traumatologist and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with more than 1,000 hours of one-on-one surgeon coaching and more than 500 hours of ICF-accredited training. With more than 20 years in academic and private practice, Dr. Smith has developed a practical framework for navigating the highs and lows of a performance-driven career. His coaching model, “The 8 PRACTICEs of Highly Successful Physicians,” focuses on communication, leadership, and time/life rhythm to help physicians thrive.

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CMA/SDCMS MEMBER BENEFITS

SDCMS Benefits Spotlight

By Hanna Basler Practice Insurance Your practice deserves strong protection. MedWay provides access to malpractice, workers’ comp, and business liability insurance to safeguard your team, your practice, and your financial future.

Introducing MedWay ‘Your Practice. Your Medicine. Your Way.’ MedWay was created by the California Medical Association to meet the needs of physician practices and offer administrative support through multiple lines of services. MedWay was developed with one goal in mind: to help independent practices overcome administrative challenges and focus on patient care.

MedWay Services Human Resources Managing a healthcare team is different from managing other businesses.

MedWay’s medical-practicefocused HR platform simplifies workforce management, including time tracking, onboarding, performance management, and compliance — with dedicated, practice-specific support to help you manage your team efficiently.

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Payroll Processing Payroll is complex in a medical practice. MedWay automates payroll for healthcare teams, providing accurate pay processing for physicians, nurses, and medical staff while managing on-call pay, overtime differentials, and tax compliance.

Practice Staffing and Recruitment Finding qualified medical professionals is difficult.

MedWay provides workforce planning, job posting support, and strategic hiring guidance, with access to full-service recruitment solutions when you need vetted staff quickly.

Employee Benefits MedWay connects medical practices with cost-effective, customized benefits so you can offer great coverage without overpaying.

Retirement and Financial Planning MedWay helps practices access low-expense employersponsored 401(k) plans and customized financial planning services, so you and your employees can maximize retirement savings while optimizing tax benefits.

Availability and Contact MedWay is a new tool and service that is available to members and nonmembers of CMA. They strive to ease the administrative burdens that independent practices so often face.

To learn more, please contact Hanna Basler, membership coordinator at SDCMS, at hanna.basler@sdcms.org, and she will connect you directly with MedWay.

Hanna Basler is the membership coordinator for the San Diego County Medical Society. Contact Hanna should you have any questions about SDCMS membership, benefits, or need membership assistance. She will be happy to connect you with the appropriate resources, services, and support.

You can reach her at (858) 565-8888 or Hanna.Basler@ SDCMS.org. Hanna is a San Diego native with a degree in political science from Seattle University. She began her career in Sacramento, where she worked for five years with the Personal Insurance Federation of California.

After returning to San Diego, Hanna served as membership coordinator for the San Diego County Medical Society for five years before transitioning to the role of government affairs manager with Neighborhood Healthcare. With years of experience in both healthcare and public policy, Hanna has rejoined the San Diego County Medical Society, where she continues to bring her expertise to the team.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

A Few Powerful Words

By Helane Fronek, MD, FACP, FASVLM, FAMWA IN THE FILM THE DOCTOR, WILLIAM HURT PLAYS a surgeon who develops cancer, which then allows him to observe medical care from the perspective of a patient. While none of us want to become ill, there is great value in understanding what it’s like on the other side of the bed. My father suffered his first MI at age 42 and accrued multiple other diagnoses requiring many surgeries and treatments. Throughout those decades, I witnessed some wonderful doctoring, the crucial role families and other support systems play in care and recovery, and some of the stresses that patients’ families experience. These lessons informed how I cared for my own patients and their families. However, when I recently became a patient, I discovered there were still other useful lessons waiting for me.

It’s a surreal experience to walk into an OR and see the table laden with instruments that will be used to cut into your body and the anesthesiologist waiting to put you to sleep, and startling to realize that you are expected to lie down on the empty table in front of you and submit to the procedure.

Although I tried to remain rational, I still experienced a deep sense of vulnerability. It was at that point that my surgeon looked me in the eye and said eight powerful words: “I’m going to take good care of you.”

It reminded me of working in a headache clinic before residency. The physician introduced himself to each new pa-

tient, provided a tentative diagnosis, and said, “We’re going to help you.” At that time, I thought it was simply a clever communication strategy. Most patients had suffered with headaches for years and had seen many doctors who hadn’t helped. I imagined it gave them hope to finally meet someone who was confident they knew what to do. But when similar words were expressed to me as a patient, I realized how deeply impactful they were.

It’s easy to forget how vulnerable and frightened our patients feel. The conditions we treat can seem routine to us, as we deal with them daily. Not so for our patients. One might think “I’m going to take good care of you” is stating the obvious — don’t we all intend to take good care of our patients? Yet human minds, hearts, and nervous systems work in interesting ways.

Hearing these words had a profound impact on me, calming my nervous system and quieting my anxious thoughts. I had an advocate, someone I respected, who cared about me. I was not as alone as I felt when I entered the room.

Short phrases like “Next time I see you, I hope you’ll be feeling better” convey a similar attitude of care and partnership. While truly caring about our patients is paramount, directly verbalizing that message has tremendous power to gain our patients’ trust and smooth their journey through illness, treatment, and recovery. Sometimes it’s the simple things we do that make the biggest difference to our patients.

Dr. Fronek is a Certified Physician Development Coach, CPCC, PCC, and an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the UC San Diego School of Medicine.

SANDIEGOPHYSICIAN.ORG

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CLASSIFIEDS PRACTICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

CRANIO/MAXILLOFACIAL AND HEAD & NECK SURGERY: Accepting new adolescent and adult patients seeking evaluation and management of head and neck masses, multidisciplinary assessment of oral/facial cancers and reconstruction, nasal airway assessment and functional rhinoplasty, corrective jaw surgery including jaw advancement for obstructive sleep apnea, cleft and craniofacial reconstruction, maxillofacial fracture management and secondary facial and jaw reconstruction. We work with Medicare, Tricare, most PPO insurance plans, and some HMO plans. Referrals may be called in to (619) 452-7332, or emailed to jaw@scrippshealth.org. [2887-0808] VIRTUAL SPEECH THERAPY AVAILABLE: Accepting new pediatrics and adult patients. We accept FSA/HSA, Private pay, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and several commercial insurance plans pending credentialing. Visit virtualspeechtherapyllc.org or call (888) 855-1309.

PSYCHIATRIST AVAILABLE: Accepting new patients for medication management, crisis visits, ADHD, cognitive testing, and psychotherapy. Out of network physician servicing La Jolla & San Diego.

Visit hylermed.com or call (619) 707-1554.

PHYSICIAN OPPORTUNITIES

PULMONOLOGY PHYSICIAN | PHMG NORTH COUNTY: Palomar Health Medical Group is seeking a board-certified Pulmonology/Critical Care Physician to join our multi-specialty, not-for-profit practice in North San Diego County. The ideal candidate will offer expert pulmonary care in a comprehensive outpatient and inpatient setting, supported by advanced facilities at Palomar Medical Center Escondido and Poway. Responsibilities include diagnosing and treating a wide range of pulmonary conditions, performing both inpatient and outpatient procedures, and collaborating with specialists across the Palomar Health network. Candidates must hold a valid California medical license, be board-certified in Pulmonology, and preferably have at least two years of clinical experience. Per diem roles are also available, offering competitive pay and flexible scheduling. Join us in reimagining healthcare with compassion and excellence. To apply, send your application and CV to clayton.trosclair@palomarhealth.org. [2893-1015] UCSD DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE | FACULTY POSITIONS AVAILABLE: UCSD Department of Family Medicine seeks motivated faculty to join our team in clinical, teaching, and scholarly roles.

Faculty participate in comprehensive patient care, resident and fellow education, and research or quality improvement initiatives. We welcome candidates with diverse experiences and a passion for family medicine, community engagement, and academic medicine. Opportunities are available at various academic ranks, with salary commensurate with experience, rank, and step. Join a collaborative, supportive environment committed to excellence in primary care and education. Apply here: https://apol-recruit.ucsd. edu/JPF04341. [2889-0822] OB/GYN PHYSICIAN | PHMG ESCONDIDO: Palomar Health Medical Group is seeking a full-time, board-certified/eligible Obstetrics and Gynecology Physician to deliver comprehensive reproductive care, including labor and delivery management, gynecologic surgeries, and OB call rotations. The ideal candidate will possess strong surgical skills, California licensure, and a commitment to maternal health. We offer competitive compensation, performance-based incentives, and a collaborative team environment. Please email CV to clayton.trosclair@ palomarhealth.org or phil.yphantides@phmg.org.

[2882-0626] FAMILY MEDICINE/INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN | PHMG RANCHO PENASQUITOS: Palomar Health Medical Group is seeking a Family

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Medicine or Internal Medicine Physician (MD/DO) to join our multi–specialty practice at our Rancho Penasquitos clinic location. Experienced physicians and new graduates are encouraged to apply. Clinic schedule is Mon–Fri, outpatient only, no weekends or holidays. We offer competitive salary of $300k/ year or more depending on experience. In addition, we offer productivity and other bonuses, PTO, CME reimbursement, health, dental, vision insurance, participation in 401K with partial employer match, short and long-term disability, and life insurance. Student loan repayment assistance is also available. Join Palomar Health Medical Group, where we’re reimagining healthcare with compassion, excellence, and integrity.

Please email CV to clayton.trosclair@palomarhealth. org or phil.yphantides@phmg.org. [2881-0626] FAMILY PRACTICE | INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN: La Jolla Village Family Medical Group is seeking a PT/FT primary care physician to join our well-established private practice. We’ve been caring for our La Jolla/UTC area neighbors for 35+ years providing comprehensive, longitudinal care to patients of all ages. Call responsibilities are minor; hours consistent with a healthy work/life balance. Our office is new, clean, modern, and well-appointed. Our clinical team is collegial, passionate, and close-knit, with a supportive, cohesive support staff. A true private practice where physicians practice artfully and build enduring relationships with patients and colleagues.

Seeking a Board-certified, California-licensed MD/ DO physician, passionate about medicine and looking to establish roots in a practice dedicated to the art of good medicine. Competitive salary and excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, and retirement. Send a cover letter and CV to jcataluna@ lajollafamilymedical.com. [2880-0520] CLINICAL DIRECTOR | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SCIENCES | COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO: The County of San Diego is seeking a dynamic physician with a passion for building healthy communities. This is an exceptional opportunity for a California licensed, Board–certified, Physician to help transform the local behavioral health continuum of care and lead important work within the Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services department.

CLICK HERE to view a detailed brochure outlining the duties and responsibilities of the position. Anticipated Hiring Range: $310,000 to $320,000 annually.

In addition to the base salary, the incumbent may receive a 10 % premium for Board Certification or a 15% premium for Board Certification and Sub–specialty.

CLICK HERE to file your application. [2877-0225] VENOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST | NORTH COUNTY: La Jolla Vein & Vascular, the premier vein care provider in San Diego, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Venous Disease Specialist to join our team at our newest location in Vista, CA, nestled in the stunning coastal region of North County San Diego. This full–time position offers competitive salary and benefits, including profit-sharing and a 401(k).

Our state-of-the-art facility operates Monday through Friday, with no weekend or night shifts, promoting an excellent work-life balance. Ideal candidates may also consider a locum or locum-to-hire arrangement. Join us in making a difference in our patients’ lives while enjoying your dream location! Email cv to jobs@ ljvascular.com. [2875-1030] PART–TIME PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN: Primary Care Clinic in San Diego searching for part-time physician for 1 to 2 days a week, no afterhours calls.

Please send CV to medclinic1@yahoo.com. [28720909] OB/GYN POSITION AVAILABE | EL CENTRO: A successful Private OBGYN practice in El Centro, CA seeking a board eligible/ certified OB/GYN. Competitive salary and benefits package is available with a tract of partnership. J-1 Visa applicants are welcome.

Send CV to feminacareo@gmail.com or call Katia M. at (760) 352-4103 for more information. [2865-0809]

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO PROBATION DEPT. MEDICAL DIRECTOR: The County of San Diego is seeking dynamic physician leaders with a passion for building healthy communities. This is an exceptional opportunity for a California licensed, Board-certified, physician to help transform our continuum of care and lead essential medical initiatives within the County’s Probation Department. Anticipated Hiring Range: Depends on Qualifications Full Salary Range: $181,417.60 - $297,960.00 annually. As part of the Probation Administrative team, the Medical Director is responsible for the clinical oversight and leadership of daily operations amongst Probation facilities’ correctional healthcare programs and services. As the Medical Director, you will have significant responsibilities for formulating and implementing medical policies, protocols, and procedures for the Probation Department.

FAMILY MEDICINE/INTERNAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN: San Diego Family Care is seeking a Family Medicine/Internal Medicine Physician (MD/ DO) at its Linda Vista location to provide outpatient care for acute and chronic conditions to a diverse adult population. San Diego Family Care is a federally qualified, culturally competent and affordable health center in San Diego, CA. Job duties include providing complete, high quality primary care and participating in supporting quality assurance programs. Benefits include flexible schedules, no call requirements, a robust benefits package, and competitive salary. If interested, please email CV to sdfcinfo@sdfamilycare. org or call us at (858) 810-8700.

PHYSICIAN POSITIONS WANTED

PART–TIME CARDIOLOGIST AVAILABLE: Dr. Durgadas Narla, MD, FACC is a noninvasive cardiologist looking to work 1-2 days/week or cover an office during vacation coverage in the metro San Diego area. He retired from private practice in Michigan in 2016 and has worked in a San Marcos cardiologist office for the last 5 years, through March 2023. Board certified in cardiology and internal medicine. Active CA license with DEA, ACLS, and BCLS certification.

If interested, please call (586) 206-0988 or email dasnarla@gmail.com.

OFFICE SPACE / REAL ESTATE AVAILABLE

MEDICAL OFFICE SPACE TO SUBLEASE IN VISTA: Recently updated and well–appointed medical office space for partial or full sublease in Vista, CA. This approximately 6,000 square foot clinic is located at 2067 West Vista Way, within a prime medical office building. The space is equipped with 16 exam rooms, 3 restrooms, and ample dedicated office and lab space. The building itself is ADA compliant and offers several amenities, including ample parking, an outdoor atrium, elevators, and public restrooms on all floors. For more information or to discuss sublease terms, please contact Denise at dporter@tpirc.org.

[2896-0309] MEDICAL OFFICE AVAILABLE TO RENT | MID– CITY: Practice for sale, medical office available for rent. Centrally located in San Diego’s Mid–City community at 3250 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104.

Contact Miguel Losada, MD at (619) 282-2178 or by fax at (619) 282-2179. [2894-1215] AVAILABILITY OF UTC MEDICAL OFFICE: Office in UTC area. 2–3 exam rooms, ample waiting room, 2 private offices. Ground floor location. Just one block from 805 exit. Close to Genesee Ave, all major shopping and restaurants in UTC. Parking available.

Ground floor office, handicapped accessible. Six month–one year lease available with possibility to renew. Call (619) 585-0476. Ask for Alisha. [2890-0825] OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE | AESTHETIC SETTING: Take your practice to the next level with this beautifully appointed office space available in a modern, fully equipped clinical environment.

Whether you’re already in aesthetics or starting an

CLASSIFIEDS aesthetic practice, we offer flexible, high–end rental options. Rentals include use of PicoSure Pro Laser and Potenza Microneedling with Radiofrequency, two private treatment rooms and staff breakroom in a professional, clean and serene setting. Available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at $1,000/ day between the hours of 8:30am–5:00pm. Ideal for dermatologists/plastic surgeons, cosmetic physicians, nurse injectors or other licensed professionals in the aesthetic field. Must see to appreciate the quality and atmosphere. Contact us today at Vivian@ sandiegomobiledoctor.com to schedule an in–person tour of this great opportunity. [2886-0804] OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE | MEDICAL SETTING: Take your practice to the next level with this beautifully appointed office space available in a modern, fully equipped clinical environment. Whether you’re in primary care or specialty medicine, we offer flexible, high–end rental options. Rentals include use of two medical exam rooms and waiting (lobby) area in a clean, professional setting. Available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at $350/half day or $600/day between the hours of 8:30am–5:00pm.

Ideal for primary care physicians and specialists seeking flexible space. Must see to appreciate the quality and atmosphere. Contact us today at Vivian@ sandiegomobiledoctor.com to schedule an in–person tour of this great opportunity. [2885-0804] LA JOLLA/XIMED OFFICE TO SUBLEASE: Modern upscale office on the campus of Scripps Hospital — part or full time. Can accommodate any specialty.

Multiple days per week and full use of the office is available. If interested please email kochariann@ yahoo.com or call (818) 319-5139. [2866-0904] SUBLEASE AVAILABLE: Sublease available in modern, upscale Medical Office Building equidistant from Scripps and Sharp CV. Ample free parking. Class A+ office space/medical use with high-end updates. A unique opportunity for Specialist to expand reach into the South Bay area without breaking the bank.

Specialists can be accommodated in this first floor high-end turnkey office consisting of 1670 sq ft.

Located in South Bay near Interstate 805. Half day or full day/week available. South Bay is the fastest growing area of San Diego. Successful sublease candidates will qualify to participate in ongoing exclusive quarterly networking events in the area. Call Alicia, (619) 585-0476.

MEDICAL OFFICE FOR SALE OR SUBLEASE: A newly remodeled and fully built-out primary care clinic in a highly visible Medical Mall on Mira Mesa Blvd. at corner of Camino Ruiz. The office is approximately 1000 sq ft with 2 fully equipped exam rooms, 1 office, 1 nurse station, spacious and welcoming waiting room, spacious reception area, and ADA accessible restroom. All the furniture and equipment are new and modern design. Ample parking. Perfect for primary care or any specialty clinic. Please contact Nox at (619) 776-5295 or noxwins@hotmail.com.

Available immediately.

RENOVATED MEDICAL OFFICE AVAILABLE | EL CAJON: Recently renovated, turn-key medical office in freestanding single-story unit available in El Cajon. Seven exam rooms, spacious waiting area with floor-to-ceiling windows, staff break room, doctor’s private office, multiple admin areas, manager’s office all in lovely, drought-resistant garden setting. Ample free patient parking with close access to freeways and Sharp Grossmont and Alvarado Hospitals. Safe and secure with round-the-clock monitored property, patrol, and cameras. Available March 1st. Call 24/7 on-call property manager Michelle at the Avocado Professional Center (619) 916-8393 or email help@ avocadoprofessionalcenter.com.

OPERATING ROOM FOR RENT: State of the Art AAAASF Certified Operating Rooms for Rent at Outpatient Surgery of Sorrento. 5445 Oberlin Drive, San Diego 92121. Ideally located and newly built 5 star facility located with easy freeway access in the heart of San Diego in Sorrento Mesa. Facility includes two

operating rooms and two recovery bays, waiting area, State of the Art UPC02 Laser, Endoscopic Equipment with easy parking. Ideal for cosmetic surgery. Competitive Rates. Call Cyndy for more information (858) 658-0595 or email Cyndy@roydavidmd.com.

PRIME LOCATION | MEDICAL BUILDING LEASE OR OWN OPPORTUNITY IN LA MESA: Extraordinary opportunity to lease or lease-to-own a highly visible, freeway-oriented medical building in La Mesa, on Interstate 8 at the 70th Street on-ramp. Immaculate 2-story, 7.5k square foot property with elevator and ample free on-site parking (45 spaces). Already built out and equipped with MRI/CAT machine.

Easy access to both Alvarado and Sharp Grossmont Hospitals, SDSU, restaurants, and walking distance to 70th St Trolley Station. Perfect for owner-user or investor. Please contact Tracy Giordano [Coldwell Banker West, DRE# 02052571] for more information at (619) 987-5498.

KEARNY MESA OFFICE TO SUBLEASE/SHARE: 5643 Copley Dr., Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92111.

Perfectly centrally situated within San Diego County.

Equidistant to flagship hospitals of Sharp and Scripps healthcare systems. Ample free parking. Newly constructed Class A+ medical office space/medical use building. 12 exam rooms per half day available for use at fair market value rates. Basic communal medical supplies available for use (including splint/ cast materials). Injectable medications and durable medical equipment (DME) and all staff to be supplied by individual physicians’ practices. 1 large exam room doubles as a minor procedure room. Ample waiting room area. In office x-ray with additional waiting area outside of the x-ray room. Orthopedic surgery centric office space. Includes access to a kitchenette/ indoor break room, exterior break room and private physician workspace. Open to other MSK physician specialties and subspecialties. Building occupancy includes specialty physicians, physical therapy/occupational therapy (2nd floor), urgent care, and 5 OR ambulatory surgery center (1st floor). For inquiries contact kdowning79@gmail.com and scurry@ortho1. com for more information. Available for immediate occupancy.

LA JOLLA/UTC OFFICE TO SUBLEASE OR SHARE: Modern upscale office near Scripps Memorial, UCSD hospital, and the UTC mall. One large exam/procedure room and one regular-sized exam room. Large physician office for consults as well.

Ample waiting room area. Can accommodate any specialty or Internal Medicine. Multiple days per week and full use of the office is available. If interested please email drphilipw@gmail.com.

ENCINITAS MEDICAL SPACE AVAILABLE: Newly updated office space located in a medical office building. Two large exam rooms are available M-F and suitable for all types of practice, including subspecialties needing equipment space. Building consists of primary and specialist physicians, great for networking and referrals. Includes access to the break room, bathroom and reception. Large parking lot with free parking for patients. Possibility to share receptionist or bring your own. Please contact coastdocgroup@gmail.com for more information.

NORTH COUNTY MEDICAL SPACE AVAILABLE: 2023 W. Vista Way, Suite C, Vista CA 92082. Newly renovated, large office space located in an upscale medical office with ample free parking. Furnishings, decor, and atmosphere are upscale and inviting. It is a great place to build your practice, network and clientele. Just a few blocks from Tri-City Medical Center and across from the urgent care. Includes: multiple exam rooms, access to a kitchenette/break room, two bathrooms, and spacious reception area all located on the property. Wi-Fi is not included. For inquiries contact hosalkarofficeassist@gmail.com or call/text (858) 740-1928.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT / FURNITURE FOR SALE

FRIDGE & FREEZER EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE | MINT CONDITION: Pristine medical cold storage refrigeration equipment available for purchase by Champions for Health, SDCMS’ philanthropic 501(c)3.

Used to store vaccines. Includes 2 (two) commercial– grade Accucold ARG49ML 49 cu ft upright pharmacy refrigerators each with two glass doors, automatic defrost, digital thermostat and stainless steel cabinets (83.75” H x 55.25” W x 31.0” D), plus 1 (one) pharmaceutical–grade TempArmour BFFV15 compact freezer built to ensure stable temperatures and virtually eliminate supply losses (26.5” H x 25.0” W x 31.0” D). All units were acquired new, in use between 2-4 years and in very gently used condition. Units meet all CDC guidelines for vaccine storage. Asking price for each fridge is $4,000 OBO and $2,500 OBO for the freezer. Purchase individually or as a set. Contact Adama at (858) 300–2780 or adama.dyoniziak@ championsfh.org. [2879-0502] NON–PHYSICIAN POSITIONS AVAILABLE

NURSE PRACTITIONER | PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT: Open position for Nurse Practitioner/ Physician Assistant for an outpatient adult medicine clinic in Chula Vista. Low volume of patients. No call or weekends. Please send resumes to medclinic1@ yahoo.com. [2876-1121] POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS: The Office of Research Affairs, at the University of California, San Diego, in support of the campus, multidisciplinary Organized Research Units (ORUs) https://research. ucsd.edu/ORU/index.html is conducting an open search for Postdoctoral Scholars in various academic disciplines. View this position online: https://apolrecruit.ucsd.edu/JPF03803. The postdoctoral experience emphasizes scholarship and continued research training. UC’s postdoctoral scholars bring expertise and creativity that enrich the research environment for all members of the UC community, including graduate and undergraduate students. Postdocs are often expected to complete research objectives, publishing results, and may support and/or contribute expertise to writing grant applications https://apol-recruit.ucsd. edu/JPF03803/apply. [2864-0808] RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (NON–TENURED, ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE OR FULL LEVEL): The University of California, San Diego campus multidisciplinary Organized Research Units (ORUs) https:// research.ucsd.edu/ORU/index.html is conducting an open search for Research Scientists (non–tenured, assistant, associate or full level). Research Scientists are extramurally funded, academic researchers who develop and lead independent research and creative programs similar to Ladder Rank Professors. They are expected to serve as Principal Investigators on extramural grants, generate high caliber publications and research products, engage in university and public service, continuously demonstrate independent, high quality, significant research activity and scholarly reputation. Appointments and duration vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding. Apply now at https://apolrecruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04449/apply. [2867-0904] PROJECT SCIENTISTS: Project Scientists (nontenured, Assistant, Associate or Full level): The University of California, San Diego, Office of Research and Innovation https://research.ucsd.edu/, in support of the Campus multidisciplinary Organized Research Units (ORUs) https://research.ucsd.edu/ORU/index. html is conducting an open search. Project Scientists are academic researchers who are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research team, are not required to carry out independent research but will publish and carry out research or creative programs with supervision. Appointments and duration vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding: https:// apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04450/apply. [2868-0904]

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Invite you to Champions for Health’s fundraiser and the installation of the 156th SDCMS President at our

Wellness Gala United in

Soaring Toward A Healthier San Diego

Saturday June 27, 2026

5:30 - 10:00 pm San Diego Air & Space Museum Barnard Family Foundation

UnitedWellness.givesmart.com

For sponsorship information, please contact Gabriela Stichler at 858-300-2789 or email gabriela.stichler@ChampionsFH.org