Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County health officer, spoke recently at a luncheon for Keck School of Medicine of USC medical students, residents and alumni who also either have earned or are in the process of earning a Master of Public Health degree.

The Nov. 18 lecture centered around careers for physicians in public health and highlighted the public health problems facing people in Los Angeles including lack of access to care, nutrition deserts, hepatitis C, homelessness and pollution. Davis also spoke about leadership, how to balance careers in public health and clinical practice and the importance of achieving a work-life balance.

The event was organized by Michael R. Cousineau, PhD, MPH, professor of preventive medicine and MD/MPH program coordinator, and Danielle Ballard DeRosa, MPH, senior academic coordinator.

“Many of our MD/MPH students are destined to become leaders in health care and it is important that they are able to interact with physician leaders like Dr. Davis, who are leading efforts to improve the health of all people in our community,” Cousineau stated. “I am so grateful to Dr. Davis for spending his Sunday afternoon with us, especially after a busy week dealing with the health effects of the fires that are affecting so many in Los Angeles County.”

The MD/MPH program provides additional training for medical students interested in population health and includes coursework in health care policy and finance, epidemiology, environmental health, statistics and nutrition.

— Amanda Busick