I am a physician specializing in lung disease and critical care who has spent 22 years in the Central Valley. My research focus has been on improving access to care for patients at risk for lung cancer and for patients with Valley Fever. While Valley Fever is viewed as an orphan disease in the US meaning relatively rare, it is a regional disease in the Central Valley and is increasing in incidence. According to the California Department of Public Health, California experienced the highest number of Valley Fever cases ever recorded in 2023. It is essential that we better understand early diagnosis, best treatment and managing complications from this disease if we are to improve the health of California citizens especially in the Central Valley.
