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Congratulations to this year’s MedStudentsServe awardees advancing community health across California

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) is proud to award more than $30,500 in MedStudentsServe grants to outstanding medical students leading innovative projects to expand access to care and strengthen the health of underserved communities across the state.

This year’s awardees are taking a hands-on, community-centered approach to care. Their projects include partnering with local clinics and organizations to provide memory screenings and caregiver education for Asian American seniors; deliver street-based medical and wound care services to individuals experiencing homelessness; and offer mobile vision screenings with prescription eyeglasses in community settings. 

Additional awardees are reducing practical barriers to care through transportation support, expanding routine childhood vaccinations, and leading culturally responsive mental health education programs for youth and families. Together, these projects meet patients where they are—in neighborhoods, schools, shelters, and trusted community spaces—helping ensure care is accessible, welcoming and responsive to local needs.

Through the MedStudentsServe program, PHC invests in the next generation of physician leaders by funding student-driven educational, advocacy, service, and outreach efforts that improve health and well-being throughout California. By empowering students to design and lead real-world solutions now, PHC helps cultivate physicians who are deeply connected to the communities they serve and committed to advancing health equity statewide.

View the full list of this cycle’s awardees and project descriptions here.
 

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AMA accepting applications for Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship

The American Medical Association (AMA) is now accepting applications for the next cohort of its Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship, a leadership development program designed to help physicians build skills in policy advocacy and advance more equitable health outcomes.

The fellowship, offered in collaboration with the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, focuses on preparing physicians to address social and structural drivers of health through advocacy, community engagement and systems-level change. The program is designed for physicians who want to strengthen their ability to influence policy and lead efforts that improve health in historically underserved communities.

The fourth fellowship cohort will run from September 2026 through November 2027. The program begins with a three-day, in-person learning intensive and continues with monthly virtual sessions featuring national experts, scholars and policy leaders. Fellows will also participate in additional in-person convenings held in conjunction with key AMA meetings, providing opportunities for networking, mentorship and collaboration.

Physicians and residents with a demonstrated interest in advocacy and advancing optimal health outcomes are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have relevant professional experience; internships and graduate assistantships alone do not meet the program’s experience requirement. AMA membership is not required to participate.

Fellows who successfully complete the program receive a $15,000 stipend and are eligible for continuing medical education credit associated with fellowship activities.

Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on March 16, 2026. In addition to the application and curriculum vitae, candidates must arrange for three professional recommendation forms, which are due by April 10, 2026. Additional information and application materials are available on the AMA fellowship webpage.

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2025 Impact at a Glance

As we close out 2025, I want to thank you for the partnership and shared commitment that made this year’s progress possible. Together, we continue advancing a common mission: expanding access to care and promoting health equity. Here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished together in 2025.

Investing in the Education Pathway and Delivering Care

We awarded $85 million to 231 residency programs across California, funding 270 new physician training positions focused on regions serving high Medi-Cal populations. Demand approached $460 million, underscoring both the scale of need and the importance of sustained investment in graduate medical education (GME) in underserved communities.

Investing in Physician Leaders

We awarded more than $30,000 to 13 medical student projects statewide, reaching over 2,300 people through free clinics, mobile health fairs, screenings and community outreach—while preparing the next generation of culturally responsive, community-centered physicians. Further, in partnership with the Shared Harvest Foundation, we are documenting the impact of loan forgiveness on physician wellness and retention in underserved areas—demonstrating how targeted financial support advances workforce diversity and health equity.

Advancing Equity

PHC’s work continues to gain recognition beyond California. We hosted our annual Health Equity Leadership Summit and were featured on the Centering Health Equity podcast for our analysis of the Chief Health Equity Officer landscape. We also presented at state, regional and national forums, elevating conversations about workforce diversity and investment in under-resourced communities.

GME Startup Solutions

This year, we re-launched GME Startup Solutions to provide technical assistance to health systems and regional collaboratives building and scaling GME programs in underserved communities—expanding PHC’s role as a capacity builder and thought partner.

Looking Ahead

Progress like this is built on a shared belief that where someone lives should never determine their access to high-quality care. In the year ahead, we will host our inaugural GME Leadership Summit, expand GME Startup Solutions, and continue serving as champions, catalysts and conveners for health equity across California. 

Together, we are building a healthier, more equitable California.

With gratitude,

Lupe Alonzo-Diaz
PHC President & CEO

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Free CME Webinar: Words matter—Reducing bias in clinical communication

The words clinicians use every day—in conversations with patients and in the medical record—have a powerful impact. Language that casts doubt on patient experiences, implies blame, or defines individuals by their conditions can unintentionally increase shame, reinforce bias and undermine treatment engagement.

On January 29, 2026, at 12 p.m., the California Medical Association (CMA) is hosting a live webinar “Words Matter: Removing Biased and Stigmatizing Language from Clinical Communication,” that will examine how stigmatizing language disproportionately affects patients with diabetes, obesity, substance use disorders, and chronic pain, and how these patterns can influence provider perceptions and patient outcomes.

Designed to build awareness while offering practical, real-world solutions, the presentation will help clinicians identify common forms of biased language and replace them with neutral, respectful alternatives that support patient-centered care and help reduce health care disparities.

The live webinar is eligible for one AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM and is free for CMA members and their staff, and $35 for all other interested parties.

Register today at cmadocs.org/events.

The California Medical Association (CMA) is accredited by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The California Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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PHC awards $85 million to expand California’s physician workforce

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) today announced $85 million in CalMedForce and CalMedForce+ grants to expand graduate medical education (GME) opportunities across California. For the first time, all specialties were eligible for funding, compared to just five in previous cycles. 

In this cycle, programs submitted record requests totaling more than $460 million, underscoring the need for additional training positions to keep pace with California’s growing patient population.

This is the first cycle to include CalMedForce+, which uses voter-approved Proposition 35 funds—passed in 2024 with 67.9% of the vote—to broaden eligibility and expand support for GME programs. Prop. 35 provides $75 million in GME investments. CalMedForce, now in its eighth year, continues to be funded through the Proposition 56 tobacco tax. Together, the programs will support 270 residency and fellowship positions across 231 GME programs in this cycle, directing resources to California’s most medically underserved regions.

“The demand we saw this year reflects what communities have been telling us for years—California must train more physicians to meet the health care needs of its growing population,” said PHC President and CEO Lupe Alonzo-Diaz, MPA. “CalMedForce and CalMedForce+ are essential to expanding access to care and building the workforce Californians will rely on for years to come.”

This year’s awards are nearly four times last year’s total, underscoring both the magnitude of need and the critical role these programs play in supporting access to care across California. As the state faces a projected shortfall of 4,100 primary care clinicians by 2030, sustained investment in GME will be essential to ensuring Californians can get the care they need.

“By supporting impactful programs that expand medical education, California can grow its physician workforce in high-need areas and specialties—making care more accessible for patients with Medi-Cal coverage and those without insurance,” said Deena McRae, M.D., associate vice president for Academic Health Sciences in the UC Office of the President. “I’m pleased that CalMedForce+ will offer additional impactful grants, helping to strengthen our health care workforce and advancing a healthier future for all Californians.”

Proposition 35 funding also enabled PHC to support fellowship programs for the first time, expanding subspecialty training opportunities critical to California’s future workforce. This approach balanced broad distribution with the need to provide adequate support where it is most critical. 

About CalMedForce and CalMedForce+
PHC administers the CalMedForce and CalMedForce+ grant programs in partnership with the University of California (UC). As a state public institution, UC oversees the distribution of Proposition 56 and Proposition 35 funds to support GME programs statewide. Any accredited GME program is eligible for funding, with priority for programs serving under-resourced populations and communities with significant shortages. UC contracts with PHC to administer the award cycles.

Since its launch, CalMedForce has awarded over $275 million for 855 grants to 181 GME programs throughout California, supporting the retention and expansion of residency slots in primary care—including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology—as well as emergency medicine. CalMedForce+ begins its inaugural year with $64 million to 162 GME programs, expanding both residency and fellowship positions across the state.

For more information, visit phcdocs.org/CalMedForce. (@PHCdocs / #CalMedForce)
 

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New MedStudentsServe application opens Nov. 10

On November 10, 2025, Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) will open its fifth application cycle for MedStudentsServe, which provides funding to medical student organizations to support educational, advocacy, community service and outreach programs that enhance the health and well-being of California’s communities.  

MedStudentsServe empowers California medical student organizations, clubs, and group projects that go beyond the traditional scope of medical education and community support.  

Applications will be accepted through January 12, 2026. Past projects have included free vision screenings for uninsured patients, mental health outreach to Indigenous farm workers, facilitation of Medi-Cal enrollment for undocumented patients, free ultrasound services to uninsured minorities and development of culturally sensitive educational resources for Mixtec-speaking migrant workers. Through these projects, MedStudentsServe positively impacted over 7,588 individuals, underscoring PHC’s commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of communities across the state. 

Priority is given to projects addressing gaps in funding not typically provided by medical schools or local sponsors. Learn more about MedStudentsServe here.
 

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New CalMedForce application cycle opens Sept. 4

CalMedForce, Physicians for a Healthy California’s graduate medical education (GME) grant program, will launch its next application cycle on Sept. 4. The CalMedForce program, in partnership with the University of California, administers annual grants to fund new, existing, and expanding residency positions at GME programs throughout California. Made possible by Proposition 56 (2016) funding, the program addresses the state’s physician shortage, particularly in underserved communities where patients often lack access to timely and quality health care. 

Last cycle, CalMedForce awarded a total of more than $25 million to 142 residency programs in support of 184 resident positions. To date, CalMedForce has awarded over $255 million to support 1,381 resident positions across 32 counties. 

Eligible GME programs can apply to support up to five residency positions. GME programs must be located in California, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and train residents in primary care (family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology) or emergency medicine, allopathic or osteopathic, and serve medically underserved areas and populations. 
The application cycle will close October 8 at 7 p.m.

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Physicians and organizations honored for advancing health equity at Health Equity Leadership Summit

More than 150 health care leaders, physicians, and advocates are gathering in Pasadena this week for the third annual Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) Health Equity Leadership Summit. The event provides a space for in-depth dialogue, hands-on trainings, and collaborative workshops focused on advancing health equity across California.

During the summit, PHC is recognizing seven individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to reducing health disparities and advancing equitable care in California.

The Health Equity Leadership Awards honor students, physicians, and institutions who are breaking down systemic barriers to care, elevating underserved voices, and advancing inclusive, community-centered approaches to health. This year’s recipients reflect the breadth of leadership needed to achieve equity—spanning medical education, public health, advocacy, and frontline care.

“The Health Equity Leadership Summit provides an essential forum for physicians, health care leaders, and community advocates to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange best practices, and strengthen collective efforts to advance health equity across California,” said PHC Board Chair Sunita Mutha, M.D. “It’s an opportunity not only to highlight the incredible work being done across California, but also to inspire new ideas and partnerships that will help ensure all communities have access to the care and resources they need to thrive.”

Read more about this year’s honorees at phcdocs.org/equity-summit/awardees.

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Support PHC on Big Day of Giving!

Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC)—the philanthropic arm of the California Medical Association—works tirelessly so that all Californians can have access to high-quality, affordable health care. Through its many programs, PHC works to improve public health, provide clinical practice support and improvement, address the social determinants of health and diversify the physician workforce. This work would not be possible without the support and investment of so many. 

On today, the Big Day of Giving, please join us in uplifting PHC’s work and service by donating to support efforts like these. 

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PHC’s Lupe Alonzo-Diaz honored as a champion for supplier diversity

Lupe Alonzo-Diaz (right), PHC president and CEO, received an award in recognition of her HCAI service from HCAI Deputy Director Michael D. Valle (left).

Lupe Alonzo-Diaz, President and CEO of Physicians for a Healthy California, was recently honored with an award from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) for her exceptional leadership as Chair of the California Hospital Supplier Diversity Commission.  

The commission’s mission is to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in hospital procurement processes by advising on policies that expand opportunities for diverse suppliers in the health care system. During Alonzo-Diaz’s tenure, the commission played a key role in guiding HCAI and the hospital industry to increase procurement from diverse suppliers, including developing 26 first-year recommendations to promote supplier diversity and encourage healthy competition in health care.  

The commission’s mission is to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in hospital procurement processes by advising on policies that expand opportunities for diverse suppliers in the health care system. During Alonzo-Diaz’s tenure, the commission played a key role in guiding HCAI and the hospital industry to increase procurement from diverse suppliers, including developing 26 first-year recommendations to promote supplier diversity and encourage healthy competition in health care.  

The award – presented by Michael D. Valle, Deputy Director of HCAI – acknowledged her four years of "leadership, dedication and unwavering commitment to supplier diversity on behalf of the People of California."  

We are proud to celebrate her continued leadership in advancing diversity and inclusion throughout the health care system. 

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