About the Office
The California Surgeon General
Diana E. Ramos MD, MPH, MBA
Dr. Diana E. Ramos is a visionary physician, public health leader, and innovator dedicated to transforming how we improve health and well-being across California and beyond. As California’s Surgeon General, she is leading a new era of public health, one that harnesses prevention, technology, cross-sector collaboration, and bold thinking to address society’s most pressing health challenges, including maternal health, mental health, chronic disease, and Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Recognizing that the future of health extends beyond traditional healthcare settings, Dr. Ramos is pioneering the integration of digital health, emerging technologies, data-driven strategies, and public-private partnerships to improve health at scale. She convenes leaders across healthcare, academia, technology, government, philanthropy, and industry to accelerate innovation and develop practical solutions that reach people earlier, in trusted spaces, and throughout every stage of life. Her work demonstrates that meaningful transformation occurs when diverse sectors unite around a common purpose.
Prior to becoming California’s first Latina Surgeon General, Dr. Ramos served as Assistant Deputy Director of Chronic Disease Prevention at the California Department of Public Health, leading statewide initiatives that advanced prevention, improved outcomes, and strengthened community health. Throughout her career, she has helped shape maternal health policy and quality improvement efforts at the local, state, and national levels through leadership within public health, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and national quality and clinical advisory committees.
For more than 30 years, Dr. Ramos has cared for patients as a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Kaiser Permanente. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. A respected author with numerous peer-reviewed publications, nationally recognized thought leader, and sought-after bilingual speaker, she serves on national and global advisory committees advancing healthcare quality, innovation, and public health. Dr. Ramos earned her MD from the Keck School of Medicine of USC, a Master of Public Health from UCLA, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Irvine, bringing together clinical medicine, public health, and business strategy to build the future of health.
Historical Background
The role of California Surgeon General was created in 2019 by Governor Gavin Newsom with the understanding that some of the most pernicious, but least addressed health challenges are the upstream factors that eventually become chronic and acute conditions that are far more difficult and expensive to treat. The position’s responsibilities include advising the Governor, serving as a leading spokesperson on matters of public health, and driving solutions to our most pressing public health challenges.