REGISTER ON CMA WEBSITE
Join our Words Matter: Removing Biased and Stigmatizing Language from Clinical Communication Webinar on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. PT.
Words matter. Clinical communication has the power to uplift patients or leave them feeling unheard. This presentation addresses the critical impact of stigmatizing clinical language that casts
doubt on patient experiences, implies blame, or defines patients by their conditions. Biased language—particularly affecting patients with diabetes, obesity, substance use disorders, and chronic
pain—can increase patient shame, reduce treatment engagement, influence provider perceptions, and create lasting negative electronic medical records. Designed to enhance awareness of stigmatizing
language patterns while providing practical tools for clinicians to identify and replace biased terminology with neutral alternatives, working to reduce healthcare disparities through more respectful,
person-centered communication
Registration Rates:
- Free to CMA Members
- Non-Members - $35.00
Featured Speaker:
 |
|
Devika Bhushan, M.D., Adjunct Faculty, Stanford University |
This event will be moderated by Lupe Alonzo-Diaz
 |
|
Lupe Alonzo-Diaz, MPA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Physicians for a Health California, Vice-President - Continuing Medical Education, CMA |
As a result of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Define biased and stigmatizing language.
- Understand how provider bias affects patient care and outcomes.
- Access a toolkit of communication strategies for clinical scenarios
Disclosure:
The speaker disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies: Devika Bhushan, M.D.
All other planners, staff and others involved with this activity have reported no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
This activity has not received commercial support.
The California Medical Association (CMA) is accredited by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The California Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be received in writing to cme@cmadocs.org. Notifications received before January 22, 2026 will be refunded their registration fees. Cancellation notices received after January 22, 2026 will not be refunded.
Registration Fees
| Price Description |
Amount |
| CMA CME Volunteers |
$0.00 |
| CMA Member Price |
$0.00 |
| CMA Non-Member Price |
$35.00 |
| CMA Staff |
$0.00 |
Speakers
| Speaker |
Organization |
Sessions |
Join our Words Matter: Removing Biased and Stigmatizing Language from Clinical Communication Webinar on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. PT.
Words matter. Clinical communication has the power to uplift patients or leave them feeling unheard. This presentation addresses the critical impact of stigmatizing clinical language that casts
doubt on patient experiences, implies blame, or defines patients by their conditions. Biased language—particularly affecting patients with diabetes, obesity, substance use disorders, and chronic
pain—can increase patient shame, reduce treatment engagement, influence provider perceptions, and create lasting negative electronic medical records. Designed to enhance awareness of stigmatizing
language patterns while providing practical tools for clinicians to identify and replace biased terminology with neutral alternatives, working to reduce healthcare disparities through more respectful,
person-centered communication
Registration Rates:
Free to CMA Members
Non-Members - $35.00
Featured Speaker:
Devika Bhushan, M.D., Adjunct Faculty, Stanford University
This event will be moderated by Lupe Alonzo-Diaz
Lupe Alonzo-Diaz, MPA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Physicians for a Health California, Vice-President - Continuing Medical Education, CMA
As a result of this activity, participants should be able to:
Define biased and stigmatizing language.
Understand how provider bias affects patient care and outcomes.
Access a toolkit of communication strategies for clinical scenarios
Disclosure:
The speaker disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies: Devika Bhushan, M.D.
All other planners, staff and others involved with this activity have reported no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
This activity has not received commercial support.
The California Medical Association (CMA) is accredited by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The California Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations must be received in writing to cme@cmadocs.org. Notifications received before January 22, 2026 will be refunded their registration fees. Cancellation notices received after January 22, 2026 will not be refunded.
Continuing Education