Shagun Bindlish, M.D., a Bay Area internist and diabetologist, has been named the recipient of the Compassionate Service Award by the California Medical Association (CMA). The annual award honors physicians who demonstrate significant commitment to community and charity care.
Dr. Bindlish is recognized for her efforts to address health inequities through clinical work and policy advocacy. She founded and leads the Golden State Obesity Society (GSOS), a nonprofit that focuses on obesity and lifestyle medicine with an emphasis on education and collaboration among providers in underserved communities throughout California.
In her position as Medical Director at One Medical in Dublin, California, Dr. Bindlish delivers inclusive obesity and diabetes care while also training multidisciplinary teams in patient-centered practices. She has played a role in public health policy by working with the American Diabetes Association and state Senator Scott Wiener to support SB 40, legislation aimed at making insulin more affordable and accessible. Dr. Bindlish served as an expert witness during the bill’s passage before it was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
“Her commitment extends beyond direct care to meaningful structural change,” said Irene J. Lo, M.D., president of the Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association. “In her leadership roles with the American Diabetes Association, Obesity Medicine Association, and the American College of Physicians, Dr. Bindlish champions policy initiatives to improve access to obesity and diabetes treatment.”
Dr. Bindlish is also involved in medical education as adjunct faculty at Touro University California. She has received recognition for her contributions to obesity medicine education, including the Peter G. Lindner Award. Through GSOS’s Youth Ambassador Initiative, she helps engage students in public health advocacy.
“What makes Dr. Bindlish especially deserving of this award is not just the scope of her work, but the heart with which she serves,” said Valerie Kovacovich, Executive Director of American Diabetes Association, Northern California. “She gives her free time, balancing the demands of her medical profession with an unwavering dedication to community impact. Her work is not motivated by recognition but by a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
