She was what we used to call a latchkey kid, the only child of a divorced mom working a few jobs to make ends meet. This was in South L.A., in the shadow of the USC campus, a place the girl felt “in awe of.”
Today that girl is Laguna Beach resident Dr. Diana Ramos, adjunct assistant clinical professor at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, who on June 15 is set to become the first Latinx woman, as well as the first public health physician, to hold the position of president of the Orange County Medical Association.
“You grow up fast and you learn the life skills that are going to help you be a better person,” says Ramos of her upbringing. “I saw my mom really work hard to give me the best education she possibly could.” When her aunt, a waitress in the faculty dining room at USC, was given tickets “by some of the big-wigs” to attend one of the epic USC-UCLA football games, Ramos got caught up in the excitement, and that clinched her desire to one day be a Trojan: “I didn’t know how to get there, but I knew that’s what I wanted.”
She figured it out. Ramos went on to receive her undergraduate and medical degrees from USC (as well as a master’s in public health from the other L.A. university, UCLA), and complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center.
“My passion is helping people help themselves. Education is key,” says Ramos. “Oftentimes I am talking to a patient one on one, especially women, helping them understand their bodies and the choices that they have. With women, it doesn’t stop with us, it’s our husbands, our children – we are the primary health care decision makers.”
Ramos has worked as reproductive health director of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department and is vice chair of the California American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology executive committee.
Her focus as president of the Orange County Medical Association will be twofold: Address mental health issues as well as opioid and other drug addiction. “Unfortunately, mental health issues and addiction don’t discriminate. Everyone is impacted. If I can just focus on those two things and bring in the public health perspective, that will be a victory for Orange County.”
MY NEIGHBORHOOD: Laguna Beach. We live up on the hill on a cul-de-sac in a close-knit neighborhood reminiscent of neighborhoods from the past. In the evenings my son, along with the other six neighborhood kids, will be outside playing Nerf guns, basketball or just running around. We are surrounded by hillsides and beautiful views. Our home is a wonderful place to get recharged. At any time though, you will be greeted by the excited barking and jumping of our Irish Jack Russell!
WHERE I’LL MEET YOU FOR A MEAL: For dinner you will meet me at our home, with take-out from one of our favorite restaurants – Adolfo’s Mexican food on PCH and Anita. We eat from Adolfo’s weekly. My favorite is the chicken tostada. My husband and son love the beef fajitas and enchiladas, and of course I can’t forget the chips, salsa and guacamole. Going to Adolfo’s is like going to my mom’s for dinner.
RED OR WHITE: Red – I enjoy pinot noirs.
FAVORITE NETFLIX BINGE: Sadly, I don’t have time to Netflix binge. After one episode of anything, I’m asleep!
LEAST FAVORITE WORD: “No.” It’s very limiting. I believe there are other ways to express why things are a “no.” Instead of “no” say, “Another way is…”
BEST ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED: Sometimes you have to lose, or miss, in order to win.
IF I HAD A MAGIC WAND: I would have completed my MBA at UCI with an emphasis in innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of the program, I would have started a successful health tech startup with my first venture, Teen MindGames.
Teen MindGames will not only help teens recognize when they have depression and anxiety, but know how and where to get help for themselves and their friends. My startup will be the bridge between health and technology for everyone.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND… Is my Bible, lavender oil to help me relax, and a picture of my family.
WHAT SURPRISES PEOPLE ABOUT ME: I am very easygoing. If you were to meet me on the street, you would never know I am a physician, public health leader or health technology innovator.
MY MOTTO: If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it.
IF I WERE NOT A DOCTOR, I WOULD… Be a radio and television broadcaster. Having been a communications major at USC as well opened my eyes as to what a positive influence broadcasting is. As a bilingual Latinx, I would be the bridge to Spanish and English media.
PARTING THOUGHTS: Life is a wonderful journey, and a gift filled with happiness and pain. It is in the pain we are reminded of how important family, friends and mentors are to getting us through. If we can help improve someone’s life along the journey, we’ve made our life a little sweeter.
