CA surgeon general talks USC journey
Double-Trojan Dr. Diana Ramos is the state’s second surgeon general.
By NOAH DANESH
In the corridors of the Los Angeles General Medical Center, a young student in the Keck School of Medicine of USC solidified her calling to medicine. Dr. Diana Ramos, the surgeon general of California, graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in communication in 1988 and a medical degree in 1994. She credits her transformative years at USC for shaping her into the physician she is today.
Her USC education spans from the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism for her undergraduate degree to Keck for medical school, culminating in a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at L.A. General.
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Ramos spoke with the Daily Trojan to reflect on her journey, her insights on mentorship and her role as California’s surgeon general.
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Ramos as California’s surgeon general in August 2022 to serve as a prominent voice for the health and well-being of more than 39 million Californians. Ramos is only the second person to assume the position, which was first established in 2019.
Ramos said her three main priorities as surgeon general are mental health, reproductive health and toxic stress. Molly Gervais, executive director of development at Keck, said Ramos’ efforts reflect the mission behind Keck.
With a large proportion of its medical students entering primary care fields after graduation, Gervais said caring for underserved populations is “part of the fabric of who we are as a medical school” and that Ramos has taken this framework of supporting traditionally underserved communities and “catapulted that whole mindset to now care for the entire state of California.”
Ramos said USC provided a unique environment to cultivate her medical interests, from the immersive clinical experience to the range of mentors available to the unique cases seen at L.A. General — such as the time she encountered a pregnant patient at L.A. General with malaria, a rare finding in the United States.
“I would not be where I am had it not been for the opportunity that USC gave me,” Ramos said. “I am forever grateful to USC.”
Dr. Raquel Arias, associate dean of admissions at Keck and a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology, was a mentor for Ramos when she was in medical school. Arias said she knew Ramos had a dedicated eye for serving her community even as a student.
“She wanted to do the most good she could in her lifetime,” Arias said.
Ramos said mentorship at USC has been essential to her journey. She said Althea Alexander — a former dean of diversity and inclusion at Keck — and Arias were fundamental role models.
Arias and Ramos share many parallels in their journeys. As Latina women, both attended USC for medical school, received public health degrees and pursued careers in obstetrics and gynecology. Ramos said Arias supported her journey and served as a role model, calling her the “big sister [she] never had.”
“We don’t really pick our mentors, they sort of come to us in an organic way if we’re lucky,” Arias said.
Dr. Raquel Arias, associate dean of admissions at the Keck School of Medicine, said she knew Ramos had an eye for serving her community. (Simon Park / Daily Trojan)
Ramos said communication is a topic deeply rooted in her education because of her experience at Annenberg, which provided her with insights into the importance of communication. Ramos said it has a critical role in healthcare and in patient interactions, an often overlooked skill that is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient care.
“We as physicians will interrupt the patient after seven to fifteen seconds of silence,” she said. “Oftentimes, by listening, your patients will tell you exactly what’s wrong with them.”
Ramos said attentive listening has become a cornerstone of her practice as surgeon general, influencing how she engages with community health issues and policy-making. For example, she has led an open-platformed office, encouraging Californians to reach out to her so she can help solve their problem or point them in the right direction.
In addition to honing their listening skills, Ramos said current healthcare students should “embrace every patient” and keep a diary of patients they encounter so they can later reflect on their experiences.
Following the coronavirus pandemic, young adults have been facing growing challenges with mental well-being. Countless studies have highlighted that the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on students, with Frontiers in Public Health noting increased depression and anxiety among students. Ramos said she has made it a priority to take on the mental health crisis affecting transitional age youth, particularly those between 16 to 24 years old.
“Mental health is something that is impacting everyone,” Ramos said, emphasizing the critical stage where young people transition from high school to higher education or other life paths. She noted 75% of mental health conditions start by age 24, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, often triggered by the stressors of this transitional phase.
Ramos is spearheading projects under California’s $4.7 billion Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. This funding aims to provide comprehensive mental health support, including an upcoming mobile app that will provide immediate online assistance. Ramos also said she is working on a unique infographic tool designed to guide young people in supporting their peers facing mental health challenges.
Gervais said Ramos has set a standard for using the tools available to improve the world around us.
“She’s the quintessential example of how somebody can really rise up and make a difference,” Gervais said.
Ramos said she is grateful for the opportunity to serve in her role as surgeon general. She plans to continue working on her fundamental priorities while also growing the health workforce in California. With more than a year in the position, Ramos said she is looking forward to the continued improvement of well-being among Californians.
“It’s been a very exciting year,” Ramos said. “It’s really been an honor and a privilege to be the voice of healthcare for California.”
Ramos recently joined the Keck’s Alumni Association Board, bringing her expertise and passion to support the next generation of physicians at the school. She has assisted students with interests in policy and served as a supportive role model. Ramos said she believes the community students develop at USC is one of the fundamental takeaways.
“You’re not just getting an education, you’re becoming part of something greater,” Ramos said. “You’re becoming part of a family.”
