Dr. Fred Kass named Physician of the Year for Santa Barbara County

By the Central Coast Medical Association

The Central Coast Medical Association is proud to announce that Fred Kass, MD, JD, MPA, has been named the 2024 Physician of the Year for Santa Barbara County. Dr. Kass was selected by his peers in recognition of his significant contributions to healthcare, medical education, and community service.

The Physician of the Year Award is presented annually to a local physician who exemplifies leadership in improving the quality of healthcare, educating fellow physicians, and serving the broader community. Dr. Kass, who currently serves as Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at UCLA Health, is known for his dedication to patient care and innovation in oncology. He has also been a pivotal figure in advancing wellness initiatives within the medical field.

Dr. Kass, surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, accepted the award during a ceremony where long-time friends Brian Cearnal and Joe Howell presented the honor. His wife, Sarah, and daughter, Bryn, were in attendance, while his son, Zack, shared a heartfelt message via video, expressing pride in his father’s accomplishments and character.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kass conveyed his deep gratitude to the medical community and his loved ones. “This recognition from my peers is profoundly meaningful,” Dr. Kass said. “I am truly honored to be here tonight, supported by so many who have been a part of my journey in medicine.”

Dr. Kass has had an illustrious career, including roles such as Director of Medical Oncology and Director of Wellness at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, where he served for over three decades. He has also contributed significantly to national clinical trials during his time at Harvard’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute and has held leadership positions on numerous community boards, including the Santa Barbara Breast Care Alliance, Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, Doctors Without Walls, and VNA Health.

The mission of the Central Coast Medical Association is promoting the science and art of medicine, the care and well-being of patients, the protection of the public health, the betterment of the medical profession, and to achieve health equity and justice. The 600-physician member organization includes medical doctors of all specialties throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. For more information, visit www.CCMAHealth.org.