Achieving health equity requires a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach across multiple disciplines and sectors. Knowledge of medicine, public health and public policy are needed, but also fields such as finance/economics, history, and the social sciences. Advancing health equity also demands a diverse skill set that includes coalition building, community engagement, data analysis, program development, and change management.

To Dr. Cené, all of this is a joy–a joy to make a difference by leading others within this complex and constantly evolving field. In her current roles as both University of California San Diego (UCSD) Health Chief Administrative Officer for Health Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cené is a physician executive and a senior researcher. She leads a department that works to incorporate equitable policies and practices across the entire UCSD community, including patients and employees, at the top-ranked hospital system in San Diego that’s also tied for first place among all of California’s hospitals (US News & World Report, 2024-25).

Dr. Cené has led efforts to serve under-resourced communities by establishing the UCSD Health Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Mobile Health Program. By securing $2M in grant and philanthropic funding, Dr. Cené and her team were able to purchase two mobile clinics—one for general health care services and one for breast cancer screening (mammography).

Within UCSD Health, Dr. Cené also serves as the executive sponsor for efforts that screen all hospitalized adults for social needs that affect their health such as food, housing, and transportation. She and her team identify needs, then connect people to local resources that can help.