Ruth Haskins, M.D., inaugurated as California Medical Association's 149th president November 1, 2016 CMA Physician Leadership, CMA Elections 0 The California Medical Association (CMA) installed Ruth Haskins, M.D., as the 149th president of CMA during the organization’s annual House of Delegates meeting October 15, 2016. Dr. Haskins, an OB-GYN practicing out of Folsom, Calif., has been a CMA and Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Association member for 23 years. She served on the CMA Board of Trustees from 2013-15 and as chair of the CMA Council on Legislation from 2010-13. “I’m grateful and excited for the opportunity to make lasting improvements in the field of health and change lives for the better,” said Dr. Haskins. “It’s truly an honor to lead such a committed group of individuals. CMA has a long and rich history advocating for patients and the profession, and I’ll do everything in my power to make 2017 our strongest year yet.” Dr. Haskins is a U.S. Air Force veteran who began active duty while enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base before transferring to the Illinois-based Scott Air Force Base Medical Center, where she later became chair of the OB-GYN department. Dr. Haskins progressed to the rank of major in the military and was involved in the readiness campaign for Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield in the early 1990s. The strength of her loyalty to her country is only matched by her passion for her hometown heroes, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her fervor for sports and appreciation of great teamwork feeds into her enthusiasm for restoring the joy and value of the practice of medicine. “California’s physicians are fortunate to have a champion for health care on their side,” said CMA Immediate Past President Steven E. Larson, M.D., MPH. “Dr. Haskins brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does, and I know she’ll provide the leadership needed to help tackle the health care challenges facing California.” CMA presidents typically serve a 12-month term, starting and ending in October. Dr. Haskins was elected to serve as president for the 2016-17 year and is the third woman in CMA’s history to hold this title. # # # The California Medical Association represents the state's physicians with more than 43,000 members in all modes of practice and specialties. CMA is dedicated to the health of all patients in California. For more information, please visit cmanet.org, and follow CMA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Comments are closed.