Arthur J. Ochoa, senior vice president of Advancement and chief advancement officer at Cedars-Sinai, was recently awarded the Leadership in Diversity Award from the National Medical Fellowships. Ochoa received the honor during the virtual Spring 2020 Champions of Health Awards Los Angeles Gala.

The Champions of Health Awards events honor individuals who have made a lasting impact on healthcare and diversity in healthcare, as well as outstanding corporate leaders whose role and influence drives positive change in the business community and the communities they serve. The Leadership in Diversity Award specifically recognizes individuals who have paved the way for younger generations to envision a fruitful future in healthcare.

"I am humbled to be honored by the National Medical Fellowships," said Ochoa, who leads Cedars-Sinai's external relations, including community engagement, development and marketing/communications. "I am also grateful that Cedars-Sinai has provided a platform and opportunity for me to do such important work, in and with the community, over so many years."

Read: Faces of Cedars-Sinai: Nicole Mitchell, Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Among his many achievements, Ochoa's civic leadership includes serving as board chair of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which is both a Historically Black Graduate Institution and a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. 

The National Medical Fellowships aims to increase the number of underrepresented minority physicians and other professionals in the healthcare workforce in order to improve access to quality healthcare in medically underserved communities. Since 2010, the organization has awarded $8.3 million to 1,390 scholarships in the U.S.