news release
March 14, 2026
San Diego State University Recognizes Latina Alumna as
2026 Lifetime Service Honoree
Cindy Salas Murphy Honored at 2026 César E. Chávez
Commemorative Scholarship Luncheon
SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego State University honored the life and legacy of César E. Chávez at its annual commemorative luncheon by recognizing SDSU Alumna Cindy Salas Murphy as its Lifetime Service Honoree. As part of the annual celebration, SDSU awarded scholarships to outstanding students in addition to paying special tribute to Salas Murphy, a senior healthcare executive, entrepreneur, and alumna of SDSU’s Graduate School of Public Health.
Salas Murphy brings more than 25 years of experience leading and transforming healthcare across hospitals, medical groups, and health technology organizations. She is the CEO of Emma Health, an AI-driven digital health platform focused on microbiome modulation and chronic disease management, including irritable bowel syndrome. Through Emma Health, she has advanced patient-centered care models that integrate clinical decision support, personalized nutrition, and data-driven insights to improve outcomes while reducing the total cost of care.
Over the course of her career, Salas Murphy has scaled high-growth healthcare organizations, overseeing more than $1 billion in enterprise growth and leading ventures that have served more than 500,000 patients nationwide. Her work is widely recognized for translating clinical innovation and artificial intelligence into practical, real-world solutions that expand access to care and improve quality for diverse populations.
A proud Latina leader and advocate for equity, Salas Murphy’s career reflects the values embodied by César E. Chávez: service, leadership, and a commitment to uplifting underserved communities. Her dedication to making healthcare more affordable, accessible, and patient-centered closely aligns with the spirit of this annual commemoration.
“The César E. Chávez Commemorative Luncheon honors leaders who turn values into action, whose lives and work reflect a deep commitment to service and community impact” said Dr. Emilio Ulloa, Associate Chief Diversity Officer for MSI affairs at San Diego State University. “Cindy Salas Murphy exemplifies this legacy through her lifelong commitment to equity, innovation, and service in healthcare.”
For more information go to: www.MyEmmaHealth.com.
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Emma Health is redefining chronic care through its Microbiome Intelligence Care Platform, translating the complexity of microbiome science into personalized, evidence-informed action. By combining AI-driven insights, clinical decision support, and individualized care pathways, Emma Health helps people living with chronic conditions move beyond symptom management toward more precise, root-cause-oriented care. We unite physicians seeking better answers, technologists committed to making complex science accessible, and patients determined to change the trajectory of their health. At the center of our mission is a belief that people deserve more clarity, more personalization, and more power over their health journey. Through the integration of clinical precision, technological innovation, and human-centered care, Emma Health is building a future in which chronic conditions no longer define a person’s story.
Contact: Claudia S. Briggs
CSB Communications
claudia@csbriggsconsulting.com