In advance of LACMA's 153rd Installation of President & Officers on Aug. 10, we sat down with Dr. Po-Yin Samuel Huang and delved into the journey and vision of the new president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA). With a passion for both science and community service, this physician-leader shares insights on their path to medicine, involvement in organized medicine, and aspirations for LACMA's future.
Q: What led you to go into medicine?
A: I entered college as a physics major. However, after studying quantum mechanics, I realized that I wanted to direct my scientific curiosity to help people around me in a more tangible way, which led me to pursue medicine instead.
Q: How did you get involved in organized medicine, particularly with LACMA?
A: I first got invited to attend the California Medical Association House of Delegates as a third-year resident when a delegate spot opened up, then I got hooked. I was fortunate enough to meet our past president Dr. Sion Roy in the Resident Fellow Section, who introduced me to LACMA, and the rest is history.
Q: What does being president of LACMA mean to you?
A: Ever since I joined LACMA, I have been searching for ways to contribute to our wonderful organization. Joining the board, then the executive committee became the perfect opportunity to contribute to the conversation to move our group forward. I am so honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve my fellow physicians in Los Angeles County.
Q: Why is it so important for LACMA to be a voice for the community?
A: Our voices as physicians are uniquely positioned to support the health and well-being of the community as the leaders of the healthcare team. As the premier medical organization encompassing physicians from various specialties and modes of practice in our county, we have experts among our members, who care for patients on the front line, to guide our efforts to advocate for quality healthcare for all patients and serve the professional needs of our members.
Q: How is LACMA supporting physicians and the community?
A: We provide a wide array of services and resources through our Solutions Portal available to all members, ranging from practice support to insurance and financial services to wellness resources, to help all our physicians thrive and provide quality care for our community. We also advocate for physicians and our patients through local, state, and national advocacy. Through representation at the state and national medical associations, we reflect the voices of our physicians and patients in Los Angeles County and join our state and national partners to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish during your presidency?
A: I plan to continue our excellent tradition of supporting our physicians to provide the highest quality care to our patients. I hope to enhance our advocacy efforts to provide physician perspectives at the county level and continue to work closely with CMA and other county and specialty organizations to affect change at the state and national levels. Furthermore, I want to support our medical students, residents, and early career physicians and attract more of them to join us in this important work.
Q: What are some current initiatives you plan on continuing with? Which one are you excited about taking on?
A: I plan to continue our various programs supporting our independent practices and continue to enhance our offerings through our solutions portal to best serve the needs of all our members. I plan to continue our efforts to protect the physician-patient relationship, ensuring access to quality care, preserving the economic stability of physician practices, and championing innovation and technology. I also hope to continue our Doc4LA initiative to provide physician input on important topics around the county such as housing, transportation, and environment, and to continue our partnership with various organizations to protect our communities by addressing public health crises such as tobacco and gun violence. Finally, I am excited to enhance our relationships with local leaders and representatives to partner and champion issues important to physicians and our patients.
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