Crystal Cené, MD, MPH, FAHA
Chief Administrative Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer, Health Equity
Crystal Cené, MD, MPH, is the chief administrative officer and associate chief medical officer for Health Equity at UC San Diego Health. In this dual, complementary role, she leads efforts to foster an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for students, trainees, faculty, staff, and patients. She also serves as a professor of Medicine and Public Health.
Dr. Cené is responsible for the vision, leadership and strategic planning of UC San Diego Health's initiatives that improve the health of patients, particularly those who have historically faced barriers to health care and services. She partners closely with organizational leaders to ensure that our policies, programs, and practices empower all patients and the communities we serve to achieve optimal well-being. Dr. Cené is an Internal Medicine physician, bringing extensive experience in leadership, research, teaching, and clinical experience to her position.
Before her current role, Dr. Cené served as the system executive director for Health Equity and the director of the Program on Health Disparities at University of North Carolina (UNC) Health. She oversaw the health system's 5-year strategic plan for health equity and implemented a program to reduce COVID-19 vaccine disparities. She was also responsible for planning and program implementation related to health disparities research. During her time at UNC, she was promoted from assistant to associate professor of Medicine with tenure.
She is a nationally recognized researcher in health services and health disparities. Her research focuses on improving cardiovascular health and reducing cardiovascular health inequities, as well as examining the social and structural factors that influence health. She also evaluates and implements interventions that enhance patient and family-centered care, particularly for adults with multiple chronic conditions. Dr. Cené has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and has mentored dozens of students, trainees, and junior faculty. She has held leadership roles in national and international organizations throughout her career, including the American Heart Association, the Society of General Internal Medicine, and the Women's Health Initiative.
Dr. Cené completed her medical residency at Yale University and earned her medical degree at East Carolina University. She completed a three-year clinical research fellowship and holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She is also trained as an implementation scientist.