About the Office
The California Surgeon General
Diana E. Ramos
MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG
Dr. Diana E. Ramos is a renowned public health leader and California’s second Surgeon General and first Latina Surgeon General. As California’s Doctor, she is the leading spokesperson on the most pressing public health issues of the time within the State of California. Her mission is to advance the health and wellbeing of all Californians.
Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Dr. Ramos received her medical degree from the Keck University of Southern California School of Medicine and completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from UCLA and a Master of Business Administration degree from UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business.
Over the past three decades, Dr. Ramos has provided reproductive care to thousands of Californians as an Obstetrician Gynecologist at Southern California Kaiser Permanente.
Dr. Ramos’ leadership spans from the local level in Los Angeles County where she served as the Director for Reproductive Health, State leadership as chair for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist, California & Ecuador (IX) District, Nationally in Women’s Preventive Service Initiative, American Medical Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, and many others. Prior to her appointment as the California Surgeon General, she served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Chronic Disease Prevention for the California Department of Public Health.
Within the academic sector, she has served as an adjunct Associate Professor at the Keck University of Southern California School of Medicine for many years.
Dr. Ramos has written and contributed numerous articles to the obstetrics and gynecology and public health literature and has lectured in Spanish and English, locally, nationally and internationally. The Orange County Medical Association recently named Dr. Ramos the 2023 Physician of the Year.
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.
Our mission is to advance the health and well-being of all Californians.
Priorities of the Office
Under Dr. Diana Ramos’ leadership, the Office of the California Surgeon General has established three key priorities: Reproductive Health, Mental Health, and ACEs and Toxic Stress.
Learn more about the priorities, the office, and how to connect by downloading the handout.
