Dr. Efrain Talamantes is an internal medicine physician who is dedicated to serving historically underinvested communities and advancing health equity. He leads initiatives throughout the country to enhance leadership and diversity in the healthcare workforce. As the Chief Operating Officer of Health Services at AltaMed Health Services, Dr. Talamantes shapes the AltaMed experience across the entire health care delivery system spanning more than 40 clinics throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He oversees every aspect of day-to-day care and incorporates patient-centered solutions to address social determinants of health. Prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Talamantes served as Medical Director for the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity and Medical Education, leading health services and community-partnered research and training to advance health equity and medical education. Cultivating the next generation of physicians remains a cornerstone of Dr. Talamantes’ work. His vision led to the creation of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited Family Medicine Residency program and pipeline programs throughout AltaMed that focus on advancing health equity and recruiting a new generation of health professionals dedicated to improving access to care. Prior to joining AltaMed, Dr. Talamantes co-founded MiMentor, a nationwide mentoring network connecting thousands of members with health professional mentors. The organization's mission is to develop and support innovative and inclusive mentorship opportunities that will inspire the next generation of diverse healthcare leaders for underserved communities. He also served as Associate Director for the University of California, Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities, Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program, and co-directed the Center for a Diverse Healthcare Workforce (CDHW). Dr. Talamantes currently serves as the Chair of the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, he is a board member of the National Medical Fellowships, University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and the Chicago School of Psychology.