Laguna Beach doctor appointed state surgeon general

Dr. Diana Ramos, a Laguna Beach resident and adjunct professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine, was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom today as California’s next surgeon general.

Ramos, 55, currently serves as a public health administrator at the California Department of Public Health’s Center for Healthy Communities, a post she has held since last year.

“Dr. Ramos is a distinguished leader in medicine and a trusted public health expert who brings a lifetime of experience protecting and promoting the health of vulnerable communities,” Newsom said in a statement. “I look forward to her partnership in advancing urgent priorities for the state on women’s health, mental health, addressing the gun violence epidemic and more as we continue our work to lift up the health and well-being of all Californians.”

Ramos previously served as director of reproductive health at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division, chief medical officer at Alpha Medical Center, senior research specialist at Pfizer and a staff obstetrician at Clinica Humanitaria.

She has a master’s degree in public health from UCLA, an MBA from UC Irvine, and a medical degree from USC.

“I am acutely aware that while we are all Californians, our experiences differ greatly,” Ramos said in a statement. “Many of us are facing economic hardship, mental health conditions, trauma, grief, homelessness, addiction, racism, attacks on our bodies, our choices, and more.

“My hope for every Californian is a healthier, more equitable future,” she said.

Newsom established the role of state surgeon general after his election in 2019 to address the public and serve as an advisor to the governor on health issues, according to a press release from his office. The appointment requires approval of the state Senate.

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