About the Office of the California Surgeon General
The California Surgeon General
Diana E. Ramos
MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG
Dr. Diana E. Ramos is a well-recognized public health leader dedicated to improving health care quality and equity. She recently served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Chronic Disease Prevention for the California Department of Public Health. Past roles include the Director for Reproductive Health in the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and adjunct Associate Professor at the Keck University of Southern California School of Medicine.
Dr. Ramos is the Immediate Past Chair for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist, California & Ecuador (IX) District, secretary for the executive board of the National Hispanic Medical Association, and is co-chair for the Women’s Preventive Service Initiative implementation committee.
She serves on many national and international women’s health improvement and equity committees. Her areas of expertise include health disparities, social determinants of health, preconception/interconception health, preterm birth, contraception and quality improvement in health. 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.
Dr. Ramos received her medical degree from the University of Southern California with honors and completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. She received her MBA from the UCI Paul Merage School of business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and innovation and her master’s in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Ramos completed her undergraduate degree, a BA in Communications, Arts & Science from the University of Southern California.
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.
Organization of the Office
The Office of the California Surgeon General (CA-OSG) is comprised of a Chief of Staff, an administrative assistant to the California Surgeon General, and staff that support the research and clinical implementation, communications, and strategic partnerships functions of the office.
Strategic Partnerships
The strategic partnerships team supports the key priority areas of the office by identifying, building, and maintaining partnerships with both private and public entities. The team manages relationships with legislators, stakeholders inside and outside of government, and state organizations.
Communications
Research and Clinical Implementation
The research and clinical implementation team assesses, builds, and disseminates the evidence base for screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences, assessing for and treating toxic stress and associated health conditions, and allied cross-sector approaches to preventing and reducing toxic stress.