Frank Meza

Frank Meza, a respected Physician in Charge at the East Los Angeles Kaiser and a Partner at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, later served as the Chief Medical Officer at Altamed. He was dedicated to improving healthcare access and creating educational opportunities for the Latino and Chicano communities. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, his life reflected resilience, hard work, and a deep-rooted commitment to his cultural heritage. Even before completing medical school, he actively worked to recruit Latinos into the medical field and education. His leadership roles in organizations like the Hippocrates Circle, the Latino Medical Student Association, and MiMentor provided opportunities and guidance for many Latinos to pursue careers in healthcare. Dr. Meza’s educational path was not without its challenges. He attended Cathedral High School, excelling in academics and athletics, particularly running. Despite struggling with advanced subjects like German, Latin, and Chemistry, his determination to become a doctor kept him focused. After transferring to Cal State Northridge, he earned a dual bachelor’s degree in journalism and public health. His dedication ultimately led him to medical school, where he achieved his dream of becoming a doctor. For nearly five decades, Meza worked tirelessly to reduce healthcare disparities and improve medical services in underserved communities across California. His advocacy work contributed to increasing opportunities for Latino physicians. In addition to his role as a physician at Kaiser Hospital, he served as an instructor at Los Angeles Kaiser Medical Center, helping to train future generations of healthcare professionals. Frank was born to immigrant parents and grew up in Los Angeles before moving to Frogtown. His mother worked as a garment worker, and his father, who passed away when Meza was young, worked at a Hollywood restaurant. Raised by his mother, he learned the importance of balancing education with physical activity, leading to his passion for running. This passion earned him a college scholarship and continued to shape his life. Frank earned a B.A. and M.A. in Journalism from California State University at Northridge, a Master of Public Health from UCLA, and a Medical Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis. Later, he became a partner at Southern California Permanente Medical Group, where he worked to reduce healthcare disparities and create opportunities for Latinos in medicine. Meza’s legacy lives on through his medical education and healthcare advocacy contributions. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter, and his influence continues to inspire those in the field. Frank Meza’s lifelong dedication to improving healthcare and education for underserved communities remains a lasting inspiration.