Political Veteran Paul Hegyi Takes Over as SDCMS CEO
Political Veteran Paul Hegyi Takes Over as SDCMS CEO
CMA Alum Takes Reins on Heels of Current CEO’s Retirement Announcement
Contact: Kyle Lewis, (858) 300-2784, KLewis@SDCMS.org
San Diego – After over five years with the California Medical Association (CMA), vice president of membership, marketing, and communications Paul Hegyi will take over as chief executive officer of the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) effective January 1, 2016. The transition comes after longtime SDCMS CEO Tom Gehring announced his retirement.
“We could not be happier to have Paul come on board and join our efforts here in San Diego,” said SDCMS president William Tseng, MD, MPH. “During his tenure at CMA, Paul has grown statewide membership by over 15%, and we’re looking forward to the vision and enthusiasm he will undoubtedly bring to San Diego.”
Hegyi started at CMA as a staff lobbyist, covering legislation related to scope of practice expansion for non-physicians, hospital facility issues, physician aid-in-dying, and prescription drug concerns. He was quickly promoted to vice president of political and external affairs, where he ran CALPAC, CMA’s political action committee. Since 2011, Hegyi has held the role of vice president of membership, marketing, and communications, where he oversaw the reversal of a 20-year decline in membership.
“When I took over the membership department, there was a lot of work to do in reversing membership trends,” said Hegyi. “With a rapidly changing healthcare delivery system, physician and patient needs are also changing. That gave way to new and innovative marketing and membership outreach potential, something I’m looking forward to working toward in San Diego as well. The physicians in the San Diego community have shown a commitment to engaging colleagues and taking big public health issues head on. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to work with such an esteemed group of men and women.”
Prior to joining CMA, Hegyi worked extensively on a number of political campaigns, having consulted directly and through independent expenditures for elections at the local, statewide, and congressional levels. He previously served as chief of staff to Assemblyman Van Tran and in various roles for Congressman Sam Graves (Missouri) and California legislators Tony Strickland, Shirley Horton, and Mark Wyland.
“Paul has brought tremendous value to CMA as a lobbyist, political director, and membership expert over his tenure here,” said CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran. “Our loss is certainly San Diego’s gain, and while he will be missed, I’m confident he’ll bring the leadership and creativity to SDCMS that he brought here at CMA.”
Hegyi received his MBA from the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors. He also holds a bachelor of arts in government from California State University, Sacramento.