Shagun Bindlish, M.D., an internist and diabetologist based in the Bay Area, has been named the recipient of the California Medical Association’s (CMA) Compassionate Service Award. The annual award honors physicians who have shown exceptional dedication to community and charity care.
Dr. Bindlish is recognized for her work addressing health inequities through both clinical practice and policy advocacy. She is the founder and president of the Golden State Obesity Society (GSOS), a nonprofit organization focused on obesity and lifestyle medicine. Under her leadership, GSOS has expanded into underserved communities throughout California.
In her clinical role as Medical Director at One Medical in Dublin, California, Dr. Bindlish provides inclusive care for obesity and diabetes and trains multidisciplinary teams to deliver patient-centered care based on evidence. She has also worked with organizations such as the American Diabetes Association and collaborated with state Senator Scott Wiener to support SB 40, a bill aimed at making insulin more affordable and accessible for patients. Dr. Bindlish served as an expert witness during the legislative process that led to SB 40’s passage by both houses of the legislature and its signing 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 also serves as adjunct faculty at Touro University California and has received recognition for her contributions to medical education, including the Peter G. Lindner Award for Outstanding Contribution to Obesity Medicine Education. Through GSOS’s Youth Ambassador Initiative, she engages high school and college students in public health advocacy.
Valerie Kovacovich, Executive Director of American Diabetes Association Northern California, commented: “What makes Dr. Bindlish especially deserving of this award is not just the scope of her work, but the heart with which she serves. 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.”
