Dr. Linda Mirdamadi is a board certified physician and partner with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group in the Department of Internal Medicine and Bariatrics.
In addition to her full-time practice, she is the Chief Wellness Officer and Director of Health Education and Weight Management at the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. Her main focus is Obesity, Weight Management, and Chronic Disease Prevention.
Dr. Mirdamadi is active in multiple committees at Kaiser Permanente including Physician Wellness, Healthy Workforce, Tobacco Cessation, and Adult Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery.
Most recently she was asked to co-chair Governor Jerry Brown’s Task Force entitled, “Let’s Get Healthy California,” where she assembled a team and developed implementation strategies to improve health care delivery for high risk Californians with complex, chronic health conditions.
She graduated as a Dean’s Scholar from University of California, Irvine (UCI) with a BS in Biology. She attended Medical School at the University of Southern California (USC) on a full academic scholarship and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena.
Dr. Mirdamadi has participated in multiple seminars and conferences on Obesity and Healthy Eating. She has been featured on Fox News, KTLA, KPCC, and was the Kaiser Permanente media spokesperson for the 2013 Annual Tournament of Rose Parade in Pasadena.
Most recently, she was featured in the new 2014 Kaiser Permanente THRIVE. Dr. Mirdamadi lives in Los Angeles with her husband, two daughters, and their family pets. Her passion is health and she enjoys traveling, the ocean, exercise, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
As chief wellness officer of Kaiser Permanente, can you share a little about your role?
I was appointed in 2010 as the Chief Wellness Officer for Kaiser Permanente’s West Los Angeles Medical Center. In this role I am responsible for developing and implementing programs that enhance the well-being of our physicians and staff in body and mind. We believe that if we care for ourselves, we can better care for our patients and the communities we serve.
How is Kaiser helping people live healthier lives?
It’s our mission to improve total health, one individual at a time. We believe in promoting healthy lifestyles with healthy food choices and increased physical activity, which can prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. To ensure that good health extends beyond our walls, Kaiser Permanente also supports partners and programs that teach, inspire, and encourage healthy communities. For example, we’ve helped to establish weekly farmers’ markets in our neighborhoods, provided education about nutrition, and created better environments for exercise and play.
Can you share your thoughts on your role of judge for the “Trainers Challenge” at the Wellbeing Festival on Oct. 18?
I am thrilled! During my undergraduate work at UCI I was the aerobics director and trainer at the Orange County Athletic Club. At that time I quickly discovered the personal satisfaction in helping others reach their health goals and that inspired me to go to medical school. Today, as an Internist focused in Bariatrics, I help my patients overcome weight challenges and I often recommend trainers as part of their treatment plan. Fitness trainers are committed to helping individuals meet their health and fitness goals, and I am honored to be invited to serve as a judge. I can’t wait!
How important is it for events like the Chamber’s Wellbeing Festival to be held to encourage healthier living?
Presenting events like this is very important, and Kaiser Permanente is proud to be a sponsor. The city of Santa Monica is a role model for the state and it is leading the way in creating a healthier community, which is directly in line with Kaiser Permanente’s mission to build and support healthy communities. If California wants to become the healthiest state in the nation, we must change one community at a time by inspiring, educating, and coaching the people we serve.
How important is physical activity and getting healthy?
I cannot stress enough the importance of physical activity and getting healthy. Improving our well-being allows us to live happier, healthier lives and prevent or delay disease. I encourage all of your readers to make it their personal mission to get healthier today. This can be as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day on most days of the week, or making smarter food choices.
