Sacramento, CA – The California Medical Association (CMA), working to empower physicians to lead and transform the health care system, announced today that Stuart Thompson, J.D., has joined CMA as its new Senior Vice President, and will lead the association’s government relations and political operations.

“Stuart’s impressive record of success inside the halls of government and across California’s political landscape will be a great asset as we navigate rapid changes in our health care delivery system and look for opportunities to improve the health of all Californians by helping people get timely, high-quality care,” said CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran. “We have a big year ahead of us and Stuart’s deep understanding of health care policy, and the legislative and regulatory agencies in California, will position CMA as an even greater force in the health care advocacy space.”

Thompson has over 15 years of legislative, government and legal experience in California, most recently serving as the Chief Deputy Legislative Secretary in Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration. Having already served as Associate Director of Government Relations at CMA for five years prior to joining the Newsom administration, Thompson’s wealth of experience advocating on behalf of physicians and the patients they serve, makes him uniquely suited for the role.

“This is a pivotal time for health care in our state and I am thrilled to join CMA’s lobbying team to advance meaningful, measurable improvements in California’s health care delivery system,” said Thompson. “By bridging the gap between policymakers and medical professionals, we can achieve a health care system that delivers for all Californians.”

Thompson started his career practicing law at the law firm Miller and Owen. He attended UC Hastings Law School and worked for the Trust for Public Land and at the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department. Thompson graduated from Brown University with a degree in political science.