About Frank Meza

Frank Meza, a highly distinguished Physician in Charge at the East Los Angeles Kaiser and a Partner at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, who later became Chief Medical Officer at Altamed, was a beacon of hope for the Latino and Chicano communities. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Meza’s life was a testament to resilience, determination, and a deep-rooted commitment to his cultural heritage. His influence extended beyond his medical practice, as he actively worked to recruit Latinos to pursue careers in medicine and education even before finishing medical school. His decades-long service to the Hippocrates Circle, the Latino Medical Student Association, and MiMentor, which prepares underserved students for careers in medicine, has paved the way for many aspiring Latino professionals.

Dr. Meza’s journey to becoming a well-respected medical doctor was not without its challenges. He attended Cathedral High School, where he excelled both academically and as an athlete. He went on to run cross-country track in college and initially struggled to grasp the high-level German, Latin, and Chemistry classes he had enrolled in. But nothing could discourage him from pursuing his dream of becoming a medical doctor. He transferred to Cal State Northridge, where he studied both journalism and public health. He did not give up, earning a dual bachelor’s degree and subsequently attending medical school successfully.

For nearly 50 years, in his personal and professional lives, Dr. Meza was committed to reducing health disparities in underserved California communities. Many current West Coast Latino physicians are likely practicing today due to the tireless advocacy and increased opportunities inspired by Meza. In addition to Dr. Meza’s decades of service as a Kaiser Hospital Staff Physician, he taught at a family medicine residency at Los Angeles Kaiser Medical Center, aimed at providing better access to quality healthcare in the Los Angeles community.

Early Life and Education

Born to immigrant parents from Mexico, Frank grew up in the downtown quadrant of Los Angeles before moving to the predominantly Spanish-speaking community of Frogtown, also known as Elysian Valley.

Both his parents worked hard to ensure their children could live better lives; his mother was employed as a garment worker, and his father worked as a busser at Musso & Frank Grill, a legendary Hollywood restaurant renowned for its fine dining menu options. Meza’s father passed away when he was only four years old, and he was then raised by his single mother, who not only stressed academics but also made sure Frank was physically active throughout his childhood.

It was Dr. Meza’s love and talent for running that not only paved the way for him to attend college on a cross-country track scholarship but also became a lifelong passion. Even after college, Dr. Meza continued to excel at long-distance running, participating in marathons throughout college and his professional life.

His personal achievements in running were a testament to his passion and dedication. He was aware of the precedent he and other Latino college students were setting as some of the first Latino Americans in his community to pursue higher education. He gave credit to those people and organizations who supported and inspired him and others to pursue higher education. The year Dr. Meza entered medical school, his class had nine Chicanos, the largest number at that time.

Dr. Frank Meza earned both his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Journalism from California State University at Northridge (1972 and 1974). Meza knew he wanted to fulfill a lifelong desire to serve his community, so he applied and was accepted into the UCLA graduate program, where he received a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialty in Epidemiology in 1974, and his medical doctorate (MD) from the University of California, Davis, in 1978.

Dedicated Healthcare Champion

Frank Meza was a leader in the medical community, dedicating over five decades of service to California’s underserved communities. In 1983, he became a partner at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, where he worked tirelessly to promote educational programs and spearhead initiatives aimed at reducing healthcare disparities and increasing academic and occupational opportunities for Latinos entering the healthcare field. Meza was a staunch proponent of high-quality patient care. But even more, he shone a spotlight on community service that embodies humanity, such as installing a curated art gallery within his community health center and sponsoring the Aztlan Track Club to promote both health and community spirit.

For decades, Dr. Meza served as a Kaiser Hospital Staff Physician from 1981, and he also held the position of Physician in Charge at the East Los Angeles Kaiser facility, which he helped launch to provide much-needed family medicine, pediatrics, and OB/GYN services to the Latino community. Many of the programs and healthcare initiatives launched by Meza will continue to provide a foundation for high-quality care for underserved populations nationwide. He positively influenced thousands of patients and community members through professional and philanthropic service.

Frank Meza’s legacy lives on through the many programs he initiated or supported, including his role as an instructor with the Kaiser Family Practice Residency Program, the White Memorial Hospital Family Practice, the University of Southern California Clinical Program, and the California Hispanic Medical Education Task Force. He was honored throughout his life for his steadfast advocacy for a wide range of communities. These include being honored by the American Diabetes Association with the Health Advocate Award (1998) and by Kaiser North of California with the Latino Physician Trailblazer Award (1999).

Dr. Meza’s professional affiliations include serving on the boards of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Academy of Family Practice Board of Certification, as well as being the Founder and National Chair of Chicanos for Creative Medicine.

Personal Life

Dr. Meza’s personal life was as vibrant as his professional one. In addition to being active with the Aztlan Track Club, a group that hosted many races at East Los Angeles College, he started a scholarship fund that encouraged students in the community to value and succeed in education. Not only was Dr. Meza an elite runner, but he also coached cross-country track for Loyola for nearly twenty years, often running toe-to-toe with varsity team members. He was an avid skier, scuba diver, and biker who enjoyed taking vacations with his family and friends.

Dr. Frank Meza is survived by his wife, Tina (nee Nevarez), a son, Francisco, and a daughter, Lorena.