Physicians for a Healthy California (PHC) has recognized David Tom Cooke, UC Davis oncology surgeon and chief of the Division of General Thoracic Surgery, with the 2022 Ethnic Physician Leadership Award.
PHC, formerly the California Medical Association Foundation, is dedicated to improving community health, growing a diverse workforce, and promoting health equity. Its annual awards program celebrates the commitment, compassion, and contributions of doctors who are improving community health and reducing health disparities in California.
“The Ethnic Physician Leadership Award recognizes an individual physician’s contribution toward improving the health of ethnic communities,” said PHC President and CEO Lupe Alonzo-Diaz. “Dr. Cooke earned the award by showing great success in helping eliminate health disparities, addressing access to care, and improving cultural competency and patient advocacy.”
The purpose of the Ethnic Physician Leadership Award, Alonzo-Diaz said, is to honor an ethnic physician, inspire other physicians, and promote leadership, caring, and compassion in medicine.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this important award presented by Physicians for a Healthy California,” Cooke said. “Increasing access to health care for all is essential to ensuring that the progress we are making to prevent and cure diseases is available to everyone, no matter their ability to pay, their race, or their cultural background.”
