About Frank Meza

Frank Meza was a respected physician whose career was centered around his passion for healthcare and a deep dedication to the Latino and Chicano communities. As the Physician in Charge at East Los Angeles Kaiser, a Partner at Southern California Permanente Medical Group, and the Chief Medical Officer at Altamed, his contributions spanned multiple roles that allowed him to impact the medical community significantly. His professional life is a story of relentless dedication to improving healthcare access, reducing healthcare disparities, and inspiring Latinos to pursue careers in medicine and education. Frank’s tireless advocacy continues to leave a lasting legacy, shaping the lives of many healthcare professionals and the communities he served.

Frank was born in Los Angeles, California, into a family of Mexican immigrants. His early years were spent in downtown Los Angeles, and later, his family moved to Frogtown, a predominantly Spanish-speaking neighborhood. His mother worked diligently as a garment worker, while his father was employed at the famous Musso & Frank Grill, a well-known Hollywood restaurant. Unfortunately, his father passed away when he was only four years old, and he was raised by his single mother, who placed a strong emphasis on academics and encouraged Frank to stay physically active throughout his childhood.

Dr. Meza’s love for running defined much of his early years. His exceptional talent in cross-country running earned him a scholarship to attend college. During college, he encountered challenges, particularly with courses such as German, Latin, and Chemistry. Despite these struggles, he remained focused on becoming a physician. He transferred to California State University, Northridge, where he pursued dual degrees in journalism and public health. After completing these degrees, he applied to medical school and earned his M.D. from the University of California, Davis, in 1978. This marked the beginning of his medical career and his dedication to helping others through healthcare.

Frank’s career was dedicated to improving healthcare access for underserved populations, particularly within Latino communities. In 1983, he became a partner at Southern California Permanente Medical Group, working diligently to provide medical services to traditionally underserved populations. His commitment to providing care to Latino communities and his advocacy for more educational opportunities for Latinos in medicine were cornerstones of his career. He recognized the importance of representation in the medical field and worked to pave the way for future Latino healthcare professionals.

In 1981, Frank joined Kaiser Permanente as a staff physician and became the Physician in Charge at the East Los Angeles Kaiser facility. This facility was instrumental in providing the Latino community with vital family medicine, pediatrics, and OB/GYN services. Under Meza’s leadership, the facility was able to provide essential healthcare to many families in need. His tireless work ensured that underserved populations had access to high-quality care, laying the foundation for the programs that continue to serve the community today.