A Legacy of Advocacy, A Future of Purpose
It began not in a boardroom or beneath a capitol dome — but in the hearts and hands of healers.
In 1871, a small group of Los Angeles physicians gathered not out of convenience, but out of necessity. They didn’t come together to form another association — they came together to protect a calling. Medicine, in its truest form, has always been a sacred trust between doctor and patient. But even then, that trust was under siege — by bureaucracies, by misinformation, by systems that too often made healing harder than it needed to be.
These early physicians saw the writing on the walls: If they didn’t stand together, they’d stand alone.
So they built something greater than themselves — a collective voice, a shared backbone, and a relentless advocate for those who had none. They called it the Los Angeles County Medical Association.
From those humble beginnings, LACMA became more than a professional organization. It became a movement — a place where physicians could find solidarity, support, and strength. Where legislation was challenged, policies were shaped, and the sacred doctor-patient relationship was defended with passion and precision.
As the county grew, so did the complexity of practicing medicine. And yet, LACMA remained a constant — evolving alongside every advancement in science and technology, but always rooted in its original purpose: to give physicians the power to focus on healing, not hurdles.
Today, the physicians of LACMA walk in the footsteps of those early pioneers — carrying the torch of advocacy forward. And through our powerful partnership with the California Medical Association, we don’t just speak louder — we speak with unity, impact, and resolve.
Together, LACMA and CMA are fighting for the healthcare system we all deserve — one where physicians are empowered, patients are protected, and care remains at the center of every decision.
Because the story of medicine is not just one of science — it’s one of courage. Of compassion. Of community.
And it’s a story we continue writing, together.
THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The California Medical Association (CMA) is a professional organization representing California physicians. The association was founded in 1856 by a small group of physicians who understood it was their duty to fight for their patients and profession. Confronted with the challenges of rampant quackery, epidemics of contagious disease, and a desperate need to establish standards for the profession, physician leaders of the time called upon their colleagues to help them form the Medical Society of the State of California (as it was called back then) “to develop, in the highest possible degree, the scientific truths embodied in the profession.”
For more than 165 years, CMA has pursued its mission to promote the science and art of medicine, protection of public health, the betterment of the medical profession, and achieve health equity and justice. In recent history, CMA has contributed significant value to its more than 50,000 members with comprehensive practice tools, services, and support including legislative, legal, regulatory, economic, and social advocacy.
Moving forward, California physicians are looking to CMA to further reduce administrative burdens in their practices, support them in providing quality care, and ensure they thrive amid industry consolidation. To best meet these needs, CMA has refined its value proposition to emphasize physician empowerment to lead the transformation of the health care system. CMA has released an ambitious 2020-2025 strategic plan that will empower physicians to lead and transform the healthcare system.
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