Fostering Physician Excellence Through Medical Education
In partnership with Avocados — Love One Today® and Edwards Lifesciences, the AltaMed Medical Education team and its physician champions have created a series of Grand Rounds that deliver the latest research and clinical advice on topics like nutrition and heart disease.
Every day, new discoveries transform our understanding, treatment, and prevention of chronic illness.
As the field of medicine continues to grow, keeping health care providers up to date is essential for delivering the most effective care.
AltaMed’s Medical Education team works behind the scenes to make continuous learning possible through a series of Grand Rounds, formal educational trainings on the latest health care research for AltaMed providers. Grand Rounds offer a dynamic platform where specialists share their expertise with primary‑care teams, keeping practitioners current on the latest advances in diagnosis, treatment options, and research.
Culturally Relevant Nutritional Advice with Avocados — Love One Today®
With support from Avocados—Love One Today®, AltaMed physician Melissa See, M.D., and the AltaMed Medical Education team developed two Grand Rounds focused on fiber and the intersection of nutrition, sleep, and physical activity. In her lecture, Dr. See emphasizes the importance of culturally informed care and highlights studies on the impact of nutritious foods such as avocados. By integrating these messages into routine visits, clinicians can help reduce and manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
“From medical school through residency, we got almost no education—or even up‑to‑date research—on lifestyle factors that have a huge impact on our patients’ health,” says Dr. See. “By maintaining a high standard of medical training and expertise, we can ensure patients have access to top‑quality care without having to travel elsewhere.”
Overcoming Barriers to Specialty Care with Edwards Lifesciences
Over the last several years, Edwards Lifesciences and cardiology physician champion Cynthia Gonzalez, M.D., have worked together to bring a dedicated series of cardiology‑focused Grand Rounds to AltaMed physicians. Each session offers recommendations and best practices in recognizing early signs of structural heart disease.
“I’ve witnessed our dedicated primary‑care providers’ thirst for knowledge,” said Dr. Gonzalez about her colleagues’ response to the new curriculum. “During Grand Rounds, they actively engage, share experiences, and seek insights from cardiologists to enhance patient care.”
With this knowledge, providers can make timely and well‑informed decisions about specialty referrals — ensuring patients can take steps to prevent symptoms from worsening. An early diagnosis also lowers patient stress while awaiting specialist consultation.
“Edwards’ crucial funding empowers us to identify and address cardiology knowledge gaps promptly, fostering a collaborative environment where we work together to promote heart health and combat structural heart disease,” added Dr. Gonzalez
A Healthy Future Starts with Informed Providers
AltaMed’s Medical Education team continues to expand its Grand Rounds portfolio to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, receives the highest standard of care. By covering a wide range of topics such as inclusive care for LGBTQ+ patients, primary care psychiatry, and pediatrics, we can empower happy and healthy communities.
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