NYCU June 9, 2026 TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2026 PHYSICIANS: This is the final week to participate in the selection process for SDCMS’ Physicians of Exceptional Excellence — Top Doctors 2026. All ballots must be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, June 15th to be counted. SDCMS Leadership wishes this process, while not perfect, to be fair, open and honest for physician peers selecting the top five percent (5%) of active San Diego and Imperial County physicians. Several years ago we significantly improved the selection process to ensure a more proportionate representation between modes of practice, balancing ... June 9, 2026 Advocacy, CAHAN Alerts, Cancer, Champions for Health, CMA, CMA Benefits, Infectious Disease, MAHA, Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Mental Health, Practice Management, Public Health, Regulations, SDCMS, Trump Administration, Vaccines 0 0 Comment Read More »
NYCU May 26, 2026 TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026 PHYSICIANS: California’s physician community has lost one of its pioneer medical leaders. San Diego County Medical Society has only now learned that Ralph R. Ocampo, MD, FACS, passed away at the age of 93 last year. Dr. Ocampo was a very private man who kept his illness secret and sought no attention for his passing. Rene Bravo, MD, President of California Medical Association, declared “Dr. Ocampo helped pave the way for generations of Latino physicians in organized medicine. His leadership, humility and lifelong commitment to patients and colleagues ... May 27, 2026 Advocacy, CAHAN Alerts, Champions for Health, CMA, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Infectious Disease, Leadership, MAHA, Medical Board, Practice Management, Public Health, Regulations, SDCMS, Trump Administration, Vaccines 0 0 Comment Read More »
NYCU May 12, 2026 TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026 PHYSICIANS: California Medical Association (CMA) is reminding physicians that health plans are prohibited from shifting the financial risk for COVID–19 testing, immunizations and related services through limited risk arrangements such as single case agreements and case rate agreements. In January 2026, the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued an All–Plan Letter (APL) 26–002 in response to concerns raised by CMA after physicians reported that some health plans, including Medi–Cal managed care plans, were refusing to reimburse pandemic–era COVID–19 testing claims based on the existence of case ... May 13, 2026 Advocacy, Cancer, Champions for Health, CMA, Immigration, Leadership, Medical Board, Medical Malpractice/Litigation, Practice Management, Public Health, Regulations, SDCMS, Telehealth, Trump Administration 0 0 Comment Read More »
NYCU April 14, 2026 TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026 PHYSICIANS: Last week, California Medical Association held its Annual Legislative Advocacy Day at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Hundreds of physicians from across the state, including a delegation of 18 doctors and medical students from San Diego led by SDCMS President Preeti Mehta, MD, met with state legislators to discuss health policy. The San Diegans met with 11 legislative offices, including state Senate Republican Leader Brian Jones, Senator (and physician) Akilah Weber Pierson, Senator Catherine Blakespear, Senator Steve Padilla, Assemblymember Chris Ward, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, Assemblymember LaShae Sharp–Collins, ... April 14, 2026 Champions for Health, CMA, Dementia, Infectious Disease, Leadership, MAHA, Medicare, Member Social, Prior Authorization, Public Health, Regulations, Reproductive Rights, SDCMS, Trump Administration, Vaccines 0 0 Comment Read More »
NYCU February 17, 2026 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 PHYSICIANS: I wanted to draw your attention to a recent San Diego Union Tribune Op–Ed authored by 211 San Diego and the University of San Diego Non–Profit Institute. SDCMS has long partnered with 211 San Diego to further our vision of ‘Physicians United for a Healthy San Diego’. I serve on the 211 Board along with SDCMS Treasurer Rakesh Patel, MD. The Op–Ed, Nonprofits Crucial to Cushioning Blow From Lost Federal Funding, highlights the importance of nonprofit organizations, such as our own Champions for Health, in our community, ... February 17, 2026 Advocacy, CAHAN Alerts, Champions for Health, Infectious Disease, MAHA, Medicare, Member Social, Physician Workforce, Prior Authorization, Public Health, Regulations, Trump Administration, Vaccines 0 0 Comment Read More »
NYCU January 20, 2026 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 PHYSICIANS: Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, the 180th President of the American Medical Association, will be giving a lecture at UC San Diego on Wednesday February 4th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. The location will be the ACTRI Auditorium (Room 1W–210) at the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Mukkamala is an inspiring figure who overcame his own cancer diagnosis prior to assuming the AMA presidency. I’ve heard him speak before and I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to ... January 21, 2026 American Medical Association, CAHAN Alerts, Champions for Health, CMA, CMA Benefits, Infectious Disease, MAHA, Medi-Cal, Public Health, Regulations, SDCMS, Trump Administration 0 0 Comment Read More »