On June 6, California Medical Association (CMA) Board of Trustees member Vito Imbasciani, Ph.D., M.D., introduced President Obama at an LGBT fundraiser in Beverly Hills.
Dr. Imbasciani, a urological surgeon in Los Angeles, said it was an honor to introduce the president. “As a physician, an officer in the United States Army and advocate in the LGBT community, I am proud to have introduced the President at last evening’s event,” he said.
Dr. Imbasciani has been a long-time member of CMA and is a trustee representing Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) on the board. His longstanding involvement on issues such as health care reform, veteran medical programs and improved public health policy have earned him great respect throughout his career.
He joined SCPMG in 1997 and serves as the Director of Government Affairs for Kaiser Medical Center in West Los Angeles. He is a colonel in the U.S. Army National Guard and served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Obama spoke on Wednesday to the LGBT Leadership Council Gala, where prominent LGBT community leaders such as Ellen DeGeneres also delivered remarks. Other speakers included Los Angeles Mayor and 2012 Democratic National Convention Chair, Antonio Villaraigosa; the California Attorney General, Kamala Harris; Speaker of the California State Assembly, John Pérez; and founder of City of Refuge United Church of Christ, Bishop Yvette Flunder.