About Frances & Ashna
We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by our desire to win strong contracts, continue engaging and supporting our membership, and harness the political power of CIR to improve the lives of residents and our patients.
Frances Gill
Background: Frances is a psychiatrist and recent grad from LAC-USC. She is currently serving as one of the CIR Regional Vice Presidents for Southern California.
CIR: Frances joined CIR on the first day of intern year and just a few months later, she was elected to serve on the LA County Bargaining Team. That bargaining cycle, her hospital took the first strike authorization vote that a CIR shop had taken since the 1990s. Together, LA County residents flexed their power and won a historic increase in the benefits of their contract, including a near two-fold increase in the housing stipend. As a fourth-year resident, she served on a second bargaining team at LA County, when the bargaining team was facing totally different economic conditions, learning in a deep way what it takes to win when the odds are stacked against you.
Advocacy: Since intern year all the way through her term as Regional Vice President for Southern California, Frances has served on the COPE Board, working to leverage the power of the union to make bolder endorsements and fight for strong, worker power candidates. She helped organize to pass resolutions through the CIR National Convention to take a strong pro-Palestine stance and to prioritize Bargaining for the Common Good. She has organized for numerous winning electoral campaigns in Los Angeles, and she has also been involved in several California legislative efforts, including fighting for the $25 health care worker minimum wage, fertility benefits, and advocating against mental health stigma in healthcare.
Hobbies: Frances loves to go hiking with her dog, read weird books, and eat delicious food!
Ashna Shome
Background: Ashna is a 3rd year pediatrics resident at Jacobi Medical Center (NY-Public) who will be working as a general pediatrics attending next year.
CIR: She has worked on strengthening relationships with politicians in the NYC area via the COPE board, including serving on Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral transition team. She is currently serving on the PCTF Board of Trustees.
Advocacy: she has advocated for improved working conditions within the public health system, protections for minors who need gender affirming care, expanding parental leave, and disability protections for residents
Hobbies: She loves to read, go to museums, and spend time with friends in the Big Apple!