Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA, takes the oath of office as California’s surgeon general in 2022.
For AMA Foundation board member Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA, improving health care means looking beyond individual patients to the systems and communities that influence their well-being.
As a physician, public health leader and California’s surgeon general, Dr. Ramos brings a perspective to medicine that emphasizes collaboration and advocacy.
“What has always motivated me is the opportunity to improve health not just one patient at a time, but at the level of systems and communities,” Dr. Ramos shared.
While clinical care remains essential, she believes meaningful progress also depends on bringing people together, elevating important conversations and creating the conditions for people to live healthier lives.
Redefining Leadership in Medicine
For Dr. Ramos, leadership is not defined by a particular title or career path. It is about recognizing ways to create impact and bringing a broader perspective to the work. Her advice to medical students and early-career physicians reflects that philosophy.
“Be curious and don’t be afraid to bring your whole perspective to the table. Your clinical expertise matters, but so does your voice, your lived experience and your ability to build relationships.”
She also encourages emerging physicians to look beyond traditional clinical roles.
“You don’t have to follow one particular path. Find the places where you can make a difference, surround yourself with people who support you, and remember that your career is a journey. There is more than one way to lead.”
Dr. Diana Ramos (center, in red) joins attendees in celebrating National Latino/a Physician Day at an AltaMed event.
Looking Toward the Future
“I am hopeful because I see a generation of women entering medicine who are not only excellent clinicians, but also thoughtful leaders and advocates for change,” she said.
She also recognizes that supporting the next generation requires examining how health care systems are designed, including creating environments where physicians can thrive throughout their careers.
Dr. Ramos believes the future of medicine is not simply about who enters the profession. It is also about building systems that are invested in the physicians and the communities they serve.
Her perspective reflects the importance of investing in physician leadership, a commitment at the heart of the AMA Foundation’s work to support tomorrow’s physicians.