Addressing the unanswered healthcare needs of
low-income and uninsured San Diego County residents.
The mission of Champions for Health (CFH) is to improve community health and wellness, access to care for all, and support for physicians through engaged volunteerism. Champions for Health’s program Project Access San Diego (PASD) provides free specialty care services and surgeries to low-income, uninsured San Diegans where they live, work, pray, and play. Paul Hegyi is the CEO of San Diego County Medical Society, Champions for Health Board Member and Chair of the CFH Nominating and Development Committees.
#1 I was born in Brooklyn and was raised in Phoenix and Sacramento.
#2 In high school, I was a captain of both the math team and swimming team.
#3 My stepfather, Mike Snelling, who we lost a few years ago, brought stability to my mother’s life and my own. His impact resulted in me becoming more settled and successful in school.
#4 London is my favorite place where I return to the most. It has an incredible mix of beautiful architecture, museums, theatre, sporting events, and pubs where you can talk with the locals.
#5 “Empire Strikes Back” is my favorite movie because “Star Wars” captured my imagination since before I can remember.
#6 My adopted 5-year-old dog is named Rex – he is an absolute terror, and I love him to bits.
#7 Stephen King’s The Gunslinger is a mix of the “Lord of the Rings” with Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns. This book has the best opening line: “The man in black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed.”
#8 It is the responsibility of those who can give back, to do it wholeheartedly. It is rewarding to help others because it makes me feel good. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, taking on the battles of issues you care about is worth the effort to make a difference.
#9 As the CEO of the San Diego County Medical Society and CFH Board member for 10 years, I am incredibly proud of the work of our physician members, especially volunteering in support of Champions for Health’s Project Access patients. Annually, both organizations gather at the United in Wellness Gala to support providing free specialty care to uninsured San Diegans and to celebrate the great work that both organizations have done through the year.
#10 Funds from the United in Wellness Gala will benefit PASD. Our 200 physicians, hospitals and surgery centers volunteer their care and services, while our staff guide the PASD patients through the process and provide free medical interpreting, transportation, diagnostic tests and medicines to uninsured adults with income of 139%-322% Federal Poverty Level.
Champions for Health
UNITED IN WELLNESS GALA: Soaring Towards a Healthier San Diego
Saturday June 27, 2026
Hosted At The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park
