James Cruz, M.D., is the Chief Medical Officer for Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, which is Blue Shield of California’s Medi-Cal (Medicaid) health plan.
Over the course of his career, which spans more than 30 years, Dr. Cruz has been recognized for his dedication to serving California’s diverse communities of color.
Dr. Cruz joined Blue Shield Promise in 2020 as Senior Medical Director and was promoted to his current position in August 2021. Prior leadership positions at other organizations include serving as a Principal at Health Management Associates, a national health-care policy firm that provides consulting services to health-care systems, hospitals, medical groups, and state agencies to help them address the needs of low income and vulnerable populations receiving government-sponsored health care services, and as Chief Medical Officer for Molina Healthcare.
Dr. Cruz graduated from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the Family Practice Residency Program at White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is a Board-Certified Family Physician.