The Los Angeles County Medical Association is getting set for a dynamic 2008 by bringing in new executive leadership and organizing vital political advocacy programs.

Joining the association this month as chief executive officer is Dominick V. Spatafora. The organization will benefit from Dominick's credibility as an innovative leader and consensus builder, demonstrated in his prior relationships with physicians and legislators. He holds a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from American University in Washington, D.C.

Dominick worked as a staff member for former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, J. Dennis Hastert. Subsequently, he was a legislative liaison at the Arizona Medical Board before being promoted to legislative and regulatory affairs director. He was responsible for developing, recommending and writing standards governing medical practice in the state of Arizona.

In 2002, Dominick relocated to Sacramento where he served as director of government affairs for the California Psychological Association prior to founding DVS Governmental Solutions, which represented Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Co., the Preventing Tobacco Addiction Foundation and others. Bringing new energy and vitality to our organization, Dominick will lead LACMA through a strategic planning process to pinpoint future goals and outline key initiatives.

Our political goals and initiatives are already in good hands with Luis Ayala, director of government relations. He has been busy connecting with elected officials and further cementing the excellent relationships formed by his predecessor, David Pruitt, who is now director of the California Medical Association Political Action Committee. Luis has organized 12 interview sessions for candidates running in upcoming State Assembly and Senate races. These sessions began on Saturday, Jan. 5, and will continue through Wednesday, Feb. 20. If you are interested in participating in a candidate interview, call Daniel Park, LACMA legislative assistant at 213/683-9900.

Additionally, LACMA officers and LACPAC board members met with Bernard Parks and Mark Ridley-Thomas to discuss their candidacies for Los Angeles County supervisor. I was particularly impressed with Mr. Ridley-Thomas, finding him to have an outstanding grasp of county and state healthcare issues and their impact on our patients and our practice of medicine. I felt so strongly that if I had had my checkbook with me, I would have made a campaign contribution on the spot.

I encourage you to become involved in these political campaigns and to meet the individuals running for office in your area. Attending a campaign reception may cost you $100 or $200, but it is money well spent because it delivers the opportunity to meet the candidates, assess their knowledge of medicine\'s issues and establish connections that may prove invaluable when legislation appears that we support or oppose.

It is critically important that physicians, as community leaders, assert their leadership in electoral politics. It is one more way that we can protect our patients and our practices. I can assure you that the trial attorneys and a variety of allied healthcare practitioners owe their successes to their ongoing involvement in local politics. Unfortunately, we cannot be above the fray. Luis reminds us of that daily. The association benefits from his grasp of local politics in a real-world way, because in addition to helping physicians on government-relations activities, Luis is also the current mayor of the City of Alhambra.

LACMA is your medical association, and its leaders and staff are here to assist with your needs as a physician. I encourage you to call the headquarters, find out more about available services, get connected to fellow members, and attend a candidate interview or district event. Allow us to be your advocate.