SPOTLIGHT ON 2023 SCCMA PRESIDENT Anlin Xu, MD

Dr. Anlin Xu, a renowned allergist and immunologist in private practice, has dedicated her career to the field of medicine with the goal of helping others. In a recent interview, Dr. Xu shared her motivations, experiences, and aspirations.

Dr. Xu’s decision to become a physician was influenced by her upbringing and personal experiences. With a biology major in college and a grandfather who was a pioneering radiologist and nuclear physicist in China, she was exposed to the world of medicine from an early age. Tragically, her grandmother passed away from breast cancer, and her grandfather from lung cancer.

These experiences, combined with her skills and interests, led her to pursue a career in medicine as a way to help people in need.

During her medical training, Dr. Xu learned the importance of logical thinking and objective evidence, which she credits to her background in biology and her parents, who were both physics professors. However, she also discovered the human side of medicine, understanding the significance of knowing her patients beyond their medical conditions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding their unique desires, fears, and support systems, as well as the impact of their social and family environments in caring for her patients. Dr. Xu believes that forming a partnership with her patients and helping them achieve their life goals is the ultimate objective of medical practice.

Dr. Xu found her passion in the field of allergy and immunology. Having suffered from terrible allergies herself, including nasal and eye allergies and eczema, she empathized with her patients and sought to find solutions for their suffering. She finds the specialty of allergy, asthma, and immunology exciting and fast-evolving, with new medications and tools emerging regularly. Dr. Xu highlights the significant impact of the environment on her patients, including the effects of global warming and climate change leading to an explosive increase in allergy and asthma cases around the world.

Reflecting on her mentors, Dr. Xu acknowledges the influence of two key figures in her career. In medical school, she was mentored by Dr. Carl Snyderman, an otolaryngologist and skullbased surgeon. He inspired her with his gentle and supportive approach, showing her the human side of medicine. His emphasis on understanding patients’ desires and helping them live their lives with dignity had a profound impact on Dr. Xu. Another influential mentor was Dr. Homer Boushey, a renowned pulmonologist and asthma specialist during her Allergy and Asthma and Immunology Fellowship at UCSF. Dr. Boushey’s work in translational medical research, focusing on translating lab research findings into clinically meaningful applications, greatly influenced the development of asthma treatments and shaped Dr. Xu’s understanding of the field.

When asked about her biggest accomplishment, Dr. Xu humbly expresses her gratitude for being a doctor and allergist. She takes pride in having helped numerous patients improve their lives and experiences. The gratitude and thanks she receives from her patients for positively changing their lives are what she considers her greatest achievement.

Dr. Xu became a member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA) early in her career, seeking support and connections within the medical community. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing and supporting physicians’ well-being, particularly addressing issues of burnout, mental health, and the challenges faced by women physicians and those in private practice. As the current SCCMA President, Dr. Xu aims to make the organization more personable and personal, focusing on member orientation, supporting private practice physicians, and advocating for physicians’ interests.

Regarding the practice of medicine, Dr. Xu highlights concerns about mental health, burnout, and the need for physicians to seek help without feeling ashamed. She also emphasizes the lack of financial education for physicians, despite their high-income status, and hopes for greater support and education in personal finance and business management.

In her personal life, Dr. Xu strives to maintain a sense of balance between work and home. She sets priorities and dedicates time to her children, her own well-being, and her work, recognizing the importance of social support, exercise, and hobbies in maintaining a healthy mind. Dr. Xu has a love for music and enjoys listening to various genres to revive her spirit. Gardening, swimming, and vacationing by the water are some of her other interests, which provide relaxation and rejuvenation.

Dr. Anlin Xu’s dedication to her patients, her commitment to improving physicians’ well-being, and her passion for helping others are sure to leave an indelible mark on SCCMA as she leads us through 2023 and beyond.

Wellness Matters Webinar Series Continues

SCCMA continues its popular wellness webinar series, Wellness Matters (formerly, Resilient MD), with quarterly webinars in 2023. In Q1, attendees heard from Dr. Sheryl Recinos “One Patient at a Time.” In Q2, attendees heard from Dr. Alen Voskanian about “Reclaiming the Joy of Medicine: Finding Purpose, Fulfilment, and Happiness in Today’s Medical Industry.” View the recordings at http://www.sccma.org/ programs/physician-wellness.aspx.

$47 Million Grant Program Launched to Support Health Data Exchange in California

With a January 31, 2024, deadline approaching for many entities to begin securely exchanging health information under the Data Exchange Framework (DxF), the California Health and Human Services Agency’s (CalHHS) Center for Data Insights and Innovation (CDII) is accepting applications for Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) Signatory Grants. California entities that have signed the DSA can apply to receive direct support for DxF implementation, with financial assistance ranging from $15,000 to $50,000, or more via enhanced funding to entities serving underserved communities.

The grant program provides health and social services entities with resources to address critical operational, technical and technological barriers to DxF implementation. Entities that have signed the DSA and can demonstrate that additional support and capabilities are needed to meet their DSA requirements are eligible to apply. There will be at least three rounds of grants in 2023 with the first-round application window closing on June 16, 2023. First awards are anticipated to be announced in August. A second round of grants will be open in late June, with the award announcements anticipated in September. The third round will be open in July, where it is anticipated that applicants will have three months to apply in this round. Additional rounds may be added on as needed and will be announced at a later date, as necessary. Find more information at http://cmadocs.org/dxf.

CMA Legislative Advocacy Day

In April, the Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA) participated in the CMA’s 49th Legislative Advocacy Day with hundreds of physicians, medical students and residents from all over California. Our SCCMA team sent 22 physicians to Sacramento to meet with our legislative offices. We had nine legislative meetings in one day – meeting with the offices for Assemblymember Berman, Assemblymember Kalra, Assemblymember Lee, Assemblymember Low, Assemblymember Pellerin, Assemblymember Rivas, Senator Becker, Senator Cortese and Senator Wahab.

Naloxone Distribution Coming

To come in the Q3 issue of The Bulletin – increased naloxone distribution for community opioid overdose responders. Naloxone OTC may be available for purchase in many other settings besides a pharmacy. Vending machines are

Physicians lobbied legislators in support of CMA’s priority issues, including: becoming another increasing access source for naloxone in Santa Cara County. More to come in the next issue of The Bulletin.

• SB 598: Prior Authorization Reform, which would significantly reduce the administrative burden physicians must bear because of prior authorization.

• AB 765: Truth in Advertising, which protects patients AND physicians against allied health professionals who use terminology to misrepresent themselves as physicians.

• Medi-Cal: While we have made sure that Californians have health care coverage, it is meaningless if they can’t see a provider or get regular, timely care outside of the emergency room. Access to care is the last leg of the stool that holds this safety net program up and is the key to unlocking quality health care for all and reducing disparities.

Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. Attendees take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from a physician leader, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking. SCCMA is now a proud chapter of Walk with a Doc, offering monthly walks the second Saturday of each month at 9:30am at various locations throughout the County. Registration is free to all members, their families, patients, and community members. Well behaved dogs are welcome to join us on walks. We hope you will join us for an upcoming walk!

SCCMA Summer Social

SCCMA recently hosted the second annual Summer Social for a fun evening embracing the Aloha Spirit! More than 50 SCCMA members, field representatives from local legislative offices, and special guests gathered to enjoy live Hawaiian music, dancing, food, and shave ice as well as a presentation on Aloha Spirit by native Hawaiian healer, Kahealani Alapa’i. SCCMA President, Anlin Xu, MD provided guests with updates on current initiatives and announced upcoming programs and events for the rest of the year. Two new programs include Saving Private Practice and Walk with a Doc. The Summer Social was a great time for members to gather and celebrate the medical community!

A program designed to support our physician members from solo, small and medium medical practices