Santa Clara County Medical Association

Medicaid cuts will have devastating consequences for millions of Americans - real families, children, pregnant women, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities will suffer as a result. Contact your Representative today and explain the importance of Medicaid (Medi-Cal)! https://lnkd.in/gTEgyb5U

Celebrating Black physicians during Black History Month is a powerful way to honor the many trailblazing doctors and medical professionals who have made a lasting impact on healthcare and society. In honor of Black History Month, today we celebrate Daniel Hale Williams, the son of a barber, who became a pioneer in open-heart surgery. In 1893, he performed one of the first successful heart surgeries, defying the belief that such procedures were impossible. Born in 1856, Williams began his educational pursuits at a young age, showing a keen interest in science and medicine. He attended Chicago Medical College (now part of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine), where he earned his medical degree in 1883. Despite the challenges of racial discrimination, Williams excelled academically. Dr. Williams was determined to establish a hospital in Chicago where both Black and white doctors could train, and where Black nurses could receive proper education. He advocated for a facility that would be open to people of all races and established the Provident Hospital in Chicago, the first African American-owned and operated hospital in the U.S. The month serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and the importance of diversity in all fields. By honoring Black history, we deepen our understanding of the past and inspire future progress in creating a more inclusive society. #BlackHistoryMonth #HealthcareHeroes #Trailblazers

Celebrating Women Physicians: Dr. Reena Bhargava As we mark National Women Physicians Day, it's the perfect moment to celebrate the remarkable women who contribute so much to healthcare, not only through their expertise but also through their dedication to patient care, community service, and ongoing professional development. One such physician is Dr. Reena Bhargava a proud member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA), who shares her insights into the challenges and opportunities she faces in her practice and beyond. For Dr. Bhargava being part of the SCCMA is more than just a professional membership—it's about making an impact. "I joined SCCMA to be a part of the healthcare community, one that has a significant influence on the well-being of our patients and our local and global communities. It’s about connecting with colleagues who share the same passion for improving health outcomes and being part of something bigger than ourselves." Looking toward the future of healthcare, Dr. Bhargava shares, "AI as being the biggest opportunity and biggest challenge in the near future. Our healthcare community has to be part of the workforce that ensures responsible and expedient deployment of AI to support the wellbeing of  patients." Throughout her career, Dr. Bhargava has been guided by a simple but profound piece of advice: "Stay laser-focused on your patient's clinical needs and care experience." This mantra has kept her grounded in her mission to provide the best possible care, regardless of the challenges that arise. She also added, "Taking care of my elderly patients - I’m deeply humbled by the amount of trust they have for my advice." The accomplishment that she is most proud of is leading the development of Electronic Visits (E-visits) with an excellent interface for patients and clinically safe and efficient clinical decision support tools physicians (published JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3) Patient e-Visit Use and Outcomes for Common Symptoms in an Integrated Health Care Delivery System Reena Bhargava, MD1; et al)Evangeline Sievers4; Mary Reed, DrPH3 Outside of her demanding role as a physician, Dr. Bhargava makes time for her personal interests, including reading and volunteering, and enjoys listening to music—particularly the works of Sting, her favorite artist. If she was not a physician, she would have pursued a degree in Art History. Dr. Bhargava’s journey as a physician exemplifies the dedication and resilience that women in medicine bring to the table every day. On National Women Physicians Day, we celebrate her and the countless women who continue to shape the future of healthcare with their expertise, compassion, and leadership. Reena B. #NationalWomenPhysiciansDay #SCCMA #WomenInMedicine

Celebrating National Women Physicians Day: Honoring Dr. Haritha Reddy-Rachamallu, a dedicated physician whose commitment to lifelong learning and patient-centered care makes her an invaluable member of our community. Dr. Reddy joined SCCMA with the vision of collaborating with like-minded professionals in an environment driven by humility and purpose. She shares, “SCCMA is a vital community where I can continue to grow and develop, guided by the mentorship of many respected leaders in the field. It has provided me with invaluable opportunities to enhance my skill set in areas such as team leadership, strategic decision-making, leading change, and giving and receiving constructive feedback. These experiences have shaped me into a more effective and influential leader in healthcare.” Reflecting on her time in medical school and residency, Dr. Reddy emphasizes the importance of trust in her practice: “Trust is my currency. Building trust with each patient is paramount. I aim to do this by staying curious, actively listening, and ensuring the voice of patients and their families is heard in every interaction. By partnering with patients, their families, and the care team, I’m able to advocate for my patients in ways that foster trust. This trust is invaluable, especially when challenges arise—whether it’s a delay in seeing patients or delivering difficult news. Having that foundation of trust helps set the stage for optimal healthcare outcomes.” Looking ahead, Dr. Reddy identifies several key challenges and opportunities in healthcare, including rising costs, patient mistrust, pharmaceutical influence, moral distress, housing challenges in certain areas, and health literacy. She shares, “With the right vision, strategic planning, and teamwork, exceptional care experiences can translate into high-value service for our patients. Each day is an opportunity to fine-tune my interactions with patients, families, and healthcare teams, always with a focus on compassionate, holistic care. Patient-centered care remains my top professional priority.” Dr. Reddy also reflects on the best advice she has received in her career: "Stay curious and not furious. We may not achieve everything we aspire to in a single moment, but with curiosity and perseverance, we can achieve great things over a lifetime. Slow and steady—enjoy the process." Outside of medicine, Dr. Reddy enjoys the culinary diversity of her neighborhood block parties and finds inspiration in the timeless melodies of legendary artists such as Lata Mangeshkar, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, and Alicia Keys. If she weren’t practicing medicine, she shares, “I would be a teacher. Mentoring others brings me immense joy, and I learn so much from the experience.” We are proud to have Haritha Rachamallu as part of the SCCMA family, and we celebrate her contributions to the medical community on this National Women Physicians Day. Haritha Rachamallu #NationalWomenPhysiciansDay #SCCMA #WomenInMedicine

National Women Physicians Day is celebrated on February 3rd each year. The day honors the contributions of women doctors and recognizes the challenges they face in the medical field. It also commemorates the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849. The day serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role women have played—and continue to play—in healthcare. It's a time to celebrate the accomplishments of female physicians and advocate for greater gender equity in the medical profession, which has historically been male-dominated. In addition to honoring individual women physicians, the day also highlights the ongoing work to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in medicine. Many medical organizations, hospitals, and health professionals use this day to share stories, raise awareness about gender disparities, and support initiatives to encourage young women to pursue careers in healthcare. Santa Clara County Medical Association would like to recognize all the women physicians today and everyday for their contributions to medicine and our communities! #NationalWomenPhysiciansDay #SCCMA #WomenInMedicine #Heroes

In response to the Trump Administration’s rollback of policies that protected health care facilities from immigration enforcement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued updated guidance in December 2024 for health care facilities. The guidance highlights legal requirements regarding patient information, including immigration status, and outlines protocols for responding to immigration enforcement actions. Responding to Immigration Enforcement Requests: Facilities must be aware of the legal limits for law enforcement access to patient data or physical access to health care facilities. Physicians and health care practices should review and update their protocols related to immigration enforcement, ensuring compliance with HIPAA, CMIA, and other applicable laws. Consulting with legal experts is strongly recommended. For physicians in facility settings, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the facility's policies on immigration enforcement and promptly notify the administrator of any related requests. The California Medical Association will continue to provide updates and resources. #Healthcare #ImmigrationPolicy #MedicalLaw #PatientPrivacy #CaliforniaLaw Read More: https://lnkd.in/gamH7gbN

New guidance for health facilities responding to immigration issues from CA Attorney General Rob Bonta: https://lnkd.in/gamH7gbN

The County of Santa Clara wishes everyone a joyful Lunar New Year as we welcome the "Year of the Snake."

SCCMA past president and Co-Chair of the Environmental Health Committee, Cindy Russell, MD along with 2024 President Fahd Khan, MD attended a Press Conference with Supervisor Otto Lee to support county ordinance on plastic turf. 🎤 The Press Conference with Supervisor Otto Lee, community leaders, and advocates to promote the upcoming action by the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors at the January 28, 2025 Board meeting on an ordinance that will limit the installation of plastic turf on any County owned facility or property. This ordinance will determine the use of public funds for plastic turf at locations owned by the County of Santa Clara. Health experts, environmental advocates, and a growing number of athletes and parents have organized a community-driven movement to expose the toxic dangers of plastic turf to our physical and environmental health.

#CMADocs spent the year fighting for our physician members, including working with #BlueShield and #Aetna to stop harmful policies and legal advocacy to enforce #SB510. Read more at cmadocs.org/year-in-review