Vital Times: The CSA Podcast
Dive into a world of insightful and engaging content with the California Society of Anesthesiologists' podcast, Vital Times! Tune in every second Tuesday of the month with your hosts Ludwig Lin, MD, and Rita Agarwal, MD, FAAP, FASA, to explore a variety of topics that are not only educational and experiential but also inspirational and entertaining. Whether you're looking to stay informed on the latest in anesthesia, learn from experts in the field, or simply enjoy some captivating stories, Vital Times is your go-to source. Join our community of listeners and enrich your knowledge and experience with every episode!
*Views expressed in the podcast are those of the individual guests and hosts.
Vital Times: The CSA Podcast
Helping Mothers and Babies Thrive: How to Improve Maternal Mortality
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Today’s episode features a truly special conversation with Dr. Diana Ramos, California Surgeon General, and Dr. Calvin Johnson, Professor of Anesthesiology—both dedicated advocates for improving maternal health.
Dr. Ramos is a distinguished public health leader who earned her medical degree from the Keck School of Medicine at USC and completed her OB-GYN training at the LA County–USC Medical Center. She also holds a Master of Public Health from UCLA and an MBA from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. Dr. Ramos has received numerous honors, including the Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Public Service (2024) and the Public Health Leadership Award (2025) from All Children Thrive. She is deeply passionate about reducing maternal morbidity and mortality in California and across the nation, as well as improving health outcomes for children.
Dr. Johnson is a Professor of Anesthesiology at Cedars-Sinai Medical School in Los Angeles. He is triple board-certified in Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesiology, and Pain Medicine. He is an active member of the California Society of Anesthesiologists and serves on the California Pregnancy-Associated Review Committee.
Maternal mortality remains a critical issue, with an incidence of 33 per 100,000 births in the United States and 15 per 100,000 in California. What are the most common causes of maternal mortality? How many of these deaths are preventable? What factors increase the risk of morbidity and mortality, and how have anesthesiologists played a role in reducing these risks?
In this episode, Drs. Ramos and Johnson discuss why maternal mortality persists, current incidence rates, and what can be done to address this urgent issue. They also explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on children’s immediate and long-term health. Together, they emphasize the critical importance of collaboration across multiple specialties—including public health, nursing, community medicine, and preconception and prenatal care—to improve outcomes for mothers and children.
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