VCMA Member Spotlight

From a childhood in India to the clinics of Botswana, and now to the helm of one of Ventura County's most vital healthcare organizations, Dr. Gagan Pawar's journey is a testament to the power of adaptability and mission-driven leadership. As the Chief Executive Officer of Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc., Dr. Pawar balances the complexities of a large healthcare system with asteadfast commitment to the individual patient.The "PhD of Being the New Kid" The daughter of a retired two-star general in the Indian Army, Dr. Pawar describes her upbringing as one defined by structure and frequent transition. By the time she graduated high school, she had attended 11 different schools-an experience she jokingly refers to as earning a "PhD of being thenew kid." "What I thought was a challenge as a child became my greatest strength," she notes. "It taught meadaptability and how to connect with people from all walks of life." Her spark for medicine ignited early. Fascinated by doctors who seemed like "magicians" able to fix what even her parents couldn't, she entered medical school at age 18. After completing her training in India her next move took her to Botswana. There, she managed care for severelyimmunocompromised patients during a period when the national HIV/AIDS infection rate was 36%. This "grounding experience" solidified her passion for serving the underserved and led her tocollaborate with researchers from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.From Clinical Excellence to Strategic Leadership Dr. Pawar eventually made her way to the United States, completing her residency at the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Driven by a desire topractice "full-spectrum" medicine--caring for everyone from newborns to seniors-she found herJ"dream job" at Clinicas del Camino Real 16 years ago.Her transition into administration was fueled by a relentless curiosity. "I always asked the question: But why do we have to do it this way?" she recalls. This proactive mindset saw her rise fromAssociate Medical Director to Chief Medical Officer, and eventually CEO at Clinicas. In 2020, while leading Clinicas' strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she chose to pursue a Physician MBA. The goal was to better understand the intersection of medicine, policy, and business. Today, she uses that expertise to oversee 16 clinics and multiple urgent care centers, ensuring the organization remains a beacon of health equity for the underserved residents ofVentura County. Her contributions to the field have also earned her numerous accolades, including the PacificCoast Business Times 50 Most Influential People in the Region.A Voice for the Future Despite her executive responsibilities, Dr. Pawar still spends time in clinical practice. She expressed continued appreciation for the ability to care for members of the community across thefull range of ages and conditions. She is a vocal advocate for the Ventura County Medical Association, urging the nextgeneration of physicians to find their voice through advocacy. "Opportunities come; don't wait for the 'perfect moment' or for you to feel fully prepared. Walk into it. You never know where the next five years will take you, but it's often somewhere better than whatyou could have planned."

Member Spotlight: Dr. Jeffrey DaviesEmergency Medicine & Medical Leadership in Ventura CountyIn the latest installment of the VCMA Member Spotlight, we sat down with Dr. Jeffrey Davies, an Emergency Physician and Medical Director for St. John’s Hospitals in both Oxnard and Camarillo. A former VCMA President, Dr. Davies shared insights into his multicultural upbringing, his diverse professional path, and his unwavering commitment to medical advocacy.A Journey Across Continents and CareersDr. Davies’ story begins with his mother, a nurse from Phuket, Thailand, who moved to Chicago during a nursing shortage in the 1970s. There, she met his father, an architect and Army veteran. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Dr. Davies was immersed in a "culmination of cultures," spending summers on his father’s family farms in North Dakota and his school days in the hallways of the hospital where his mother worked.Before medicine, Dr. Davies was a quintessential "jack of all trades." His early work ethic was forged through a variety of roles:Neighborhood Entrepreneur: Mowing lawns at age eight.Caddie: Carrying bags at local golf courses, where he first shadowed physician mentors.Service & Clinical Work: Working at Dunkin' Donuts, tutoring, and serving as a hospital specimen carrier and registration clerk.Education and Dual BoardingDr. Davies attended Touro University for medical school, a choice he credits with fostering his leadership skills. He pursued a unique dual residency at Michigan State, becoming board-certified in both Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine."I wanted the relationship with patients and the focus on lifestyle medicine from Family Practice, but I also loved the intensity of treating sick patients in the ER," he explains.Finding a Home in Ventura CountyThough he initially considered positions in Los Angeles and Chicago, Dr. Davies moved to Ventura County in 2011 to be closer to his wife’s family. Over the last 16 years, he has become a fixture in the local medical community, citing the "sunshine tax" as a small price to pay for the area's culture and outdoor lifestyle.Advocacy and LeadershipEncouraged by mentors like Dr. Lynn Jeffers, Dr. Davies became heavily involved in the VCMA and the CMA. He emphasizes that physician involvement in politics is not just about "boring resolutions"—it is about protecting the profession.Advice for the Next GenerationDespite the "bad rap" medicine can sometimes receive, Dr. Davies remains deeply optimistic. For young physicians, he offers three pillars of advice:Prioritize Self-Care: "You have to take care of yourself to take care of others." He advocates for a dedicated day of rest and finding balance through exercise and family.The Reward is Human: No other job offers the same reward system of touching lives and caring for people at their most vulnerable.Just Show Up: Success is often about the discipline of showing up—to meetings, to the gym, and for your colleagues—even when you’re exhausted.Fun Fact: In his college years, Dr. Davies was a finalist on the MTV dating show Singled Out with Jenny McCarthy!

Member Spotlight - Dr. Thomas DuncanIn this inaugural installment of the Ventura County Medical Association’s new physician interview series, we talked with Dr. Thomas Duncan, Trauma Medical Director at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Dr. Duncan has been a cornerstone of trauma and surgical care in the region for more than 25 years, and the conversation traced his remarkable personal journey, professional development, and commitment to community-focused medicine.Thank you again to Dr. Duncan for sitting with me. He was great - I promise to work on improving my interview hosting skills for next time.