Former California Medical Association President Frank E. Staggers, Sr., M.D. passed away on Monday, November 11. Dr. Staggers was a board-certified urologist in Oakland, serving as chief of urology at the Alameda County Medical Center from 1989-2001.

“He was a unique individual, who touched the lives of many people in a phenomenal way,” said David R. Holley, M.D., chairman of the CMA Foundation Board. “He was inspirational, thoughtful and always got things done.”

Dr. Staggers served as CMA president in 2001, and was a leader and active member in his many professional and community based organizations, at the local, state and national levels. He was a cofounder of the CMA Foundation's Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations and a longtime member of the foundation's board of directors. Dr. Staggers was also president of his local Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA).

"Dr. Staggers’ contributions to organized medicine, the medical profession, public health policy and the health and welfare of patients locally and nationwide are innumerable," said Donald Waters, ACCMA executive director. "They can only be matched by the manner in which he touched the lives of anyone he met."

“He taught me a great deal,” said Dexter Louie, M.D., former chair of the CMA Foundation board. “Frank mentored me before I became chairman of the board for the foundation."

Dr. Staggers served as president of the National Medical Association (NMA) and as president of the California state chapter of NMA. NMA is the nation’s oldest and largest professional, educational, and scientific organization representing the interests of more than 25,000 African American physicians.

Dr. Staggers was a cofounder and chair of the Ethnic Health Institute (EHI), a community service of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center located in Oakland and Berkeley. EHI's mission is to promote the health and well being of the community, with a focus on underserved and minority populations.

In honor of Dr. Staggers, an endowment fund has been established at the University of California, at Berkeley, named the Frank and Carolyn Staggers Memorial Fund to Promote Diversity in Higher Education. The endowment will support undergraduate community college transfer students majoring in public health, and contributions will be matched by the Walter and Evelyn Haas Jr. Fund. To contribute to this fund, go to www.givetocal.berkeley.edu/staggers.