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BRIEFLY NOTED
from March 2023
Holly Yang Assumes Presidency of American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care
Congratulations
to San Diego’s own Dr. Holly B. Yang, a former SDCMS president, who assumes the presidency of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care (AAHPM) this month.
“Nearly 5,500 physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals interested in the specialty of hospice and palliative medicine represent AAHPM membership,” AAHPM’s website states. “Members work in a variety of urban, rural, and suburban healthcare settings, including hospitals, hospices, managed-care facilities, and academic institutions, with varied patient populations — from pediatrics to geriatrics. The majority of the Academy’s physician members specialize in family and internal medicine.”
Since 1988, AAHPM has dedicated itself to advancing hospice and palliative medicine and improving the care of patients with serious illness. Its activities focus on education and training, resources, networking, and advocacy.
Its core mission is “to advance hospice and palliative medicine through enhancing learning, cultivating knowledge and innovation, strengthening the workforce, and advocating for public policy to achieve our vision. The core vision of the Academy is that all patients, families and caregivers who need it will have access to high-quality hospice and palliative care.”
Dr. Yang has distinguished herself in San Diego, then California, and now nationally as a healthcare leader who is a relentless advocate for patients and physicians. She has proven herself as a force to be reckoned with in SDCMS, the California Medical Association, and the American Medical Association.
Maternal Health
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Recognizes Maternal Health Awareness Day
ON JAN. 24, THE SAN DIEGO County Board of Supervisors, led by Chair Nora Vargas and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, recognized Maternal Health Awareness Day. In attendance was SDCMS President Dr. Lase Ajayi and Past President Dr. Holly B. Yang, along with members of the PowerMom research team.
Dr. Ajayi is a leader in researching and working to overcome disparities in maternal healthcare. The first step is awareness, and increasing numbers of healthcare professionals and government leaders are beginning to see this serious issue and seek to improve maternal healthcare for all communities. We thank the board for the recognition and Dr. Ajayi, Dr. Yang, and PowerMom Scripps for their efforts on this important matter. Please read the related article by Dr. Ajayi on maternal health and the PowerMom research team on page 4.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, led by Board Chair Nora Vargas and Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, recently recognized Maternal Health Day. SDCMS President Lase Ajayi, MD and former President Holly B. Yang, MD joined them for the presentation.
Hertzka and Hegyi Lead Delegation of Med Students to Sacramento
San Diego County Medical Society Legislative Committee
Chair Robert Hertzka, MD and SDCMS CEO Paul Hegyi, MBA, for the first time in three years led a delegation of San Diego medical students who are SDCMS members to visit key state legislators in Sacramento. They had a very successful trip and were able to meet with Assemblymembers David Alvarez, Akilah Weber, MD, Tasha Boerner Horvath, and Chris Ward, as well as Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, MD, Assembly Health Committee Chair Jim Wood, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
