The Chinese American Medical Association of Southern California (CAMASC), formerly known as the Chinese Physicians for Chinatown (CPC), originated in Los Angeles, California during the 1970’s, where a group of local Chinese physicians who dreamt of building a healthier community united to organize CPC. These physician members gathered to plan and coordinate health care projects that were culturally and linguistically sensitive to the Chinese community. This community grassroots approach had mobilized many talents, assets and resources from the Chinese American medical community and beyond. CAMASC was later formally incorporated as a 501(c) (6) non-profit organization in 1985. 

As CAMASC expanded its efforts in improving the quality of health among the Asian community in the Los Angeles region, CAMASC became actively involved with other Chinese American and Chinese Canadian medical associations in the 1980’s. Together, these medical associations organized biennial conferences. Subsequently, CAMASC became a founding member of the Federation of Chinese American and Chinese Canadian Medical Societies (FCMS).

Since promoting continuing medical education for practicing physician members has always been one of the primary focuses, CAMASC has worked diligently since the 1990’s with the California Medical Association (CMA) to develop Education Protocols. In fact, CAMASC became one of the first state-accredited Continuing Medical Education (CME) providers within the Asian medical communities in Southern California. Today, CAMASC continues to provide quality CME activities to its members at no charge or a discounted rate, with the goal of enhancing and improving members’ knowledge, competency and performance for their day-to-day patient care.