Reflections on Giving:
PAMF 2000 Annual Report
Foundation Highlights
Health Care:
The Camino Medical Group (CMG), an established, successful multi-specialty group practice based in Sunnyvale, affiliated with PAMF to create one of the largest non-Kaiser multi-specialty group practices in California. CMG has 165 (full-time-equivalent) physicians.PAMF received a three-year accreditation from the Institute of Medical Quality (IMQ) in 2001. The IMQ accreditation is the standard sought by all Sutter Health medical groups.
Sixteen PAMF physicians were listed among the "top docs" in Silicon Valley, as selected by their peers, in a San Jose Magazine poll. Thousands of doctors were asked, "If you or a loved one needed a doctor in your specialty and you couldn't treat them yourself, to whom would you refer them?"
In 2000, the last phase of PAMF's electronic medical record was put in place at the Fremont Center, Los Altos Center and Redwood Shores Health Center. New functionality in the system gives our medical providers complete, immediate and highly secure computer access to patients' medical information.
Shared Medical Appointment (SMA) group visits were launched in 2000 with nine pilot groups, and an additional 10 added later in the year. SMA groups allow patients to have a 90-minute appointment with their physician and a behaviorist (such as a therapist or social worker). Between 10 and 16 patients with similar health issues can be seen for follow-up care, as well as get advice and support from other patients.
A new "hospitalist" program was launched to add a more personalized touch to a patient's hospital stay. A "hospitalist" is a physician highly trained in hospital care. A team of PAMF physicians studied hospitalist programs at several other places before designing a program unique to PAMF.
PAMF helped develop and began to utilize new "ImageChecker" technology that may lead to detecting thousands of breast cancers early. The ImageChecker analyzes mammograms by identifying areas with features associated with cancer that warrant a second look. A radiologist does the reading, and the computer highlights areas of concern that the radiologist should recheck.
A new "Serenity Garden" for patients to enjoy before and after treatments opened in the Radiation Oncology Department. The garden creates an atmosphere of peace, safety and spirituality outside, counterpoised to the high-tech world inside. The garden, located just outside Radiation Oncology, includes a fountain, flowering vines and other greenery.
Education:
PAMF sponsored "Teens 2000: Palo Alto Celebrates Youth," an event to honor the positive contributions and efforts of local teens. Teen activities in arts, music, sports, technology and community service were showcased at the day-long event.
PAMF and the Palo Alto Council of PTAs Parent Education Program co-sponsored a special community lecture by Michael Gurian, author of "The Good Son: Shaping the Moral Development of Our Boys and Young Men." The public program was attended by more than 800 community members.
The health benefits of walking were just one focus of the "Walk Our Children to School 2000" event, sponsored locally by PAMF and several other organizations.
A new Teen Web site (www.pamf.org/teen) to provide young people with medically accurate information and resources about their health was launched in early 2001. The new site, called "We're Talking," is comprised of four main sections: Life, Health, Risk and Sex. There also is a special section for parents.
Research:
Five new research grants were awarded to scientists at the Research Institute. Allen Cooper, M.D., received a substantial grant from the California Tobacco-Disease Related Research Program. Sungshin Choi, Ph.D., received a "beginning grant-in-aid," awarded to emerging new investigators, from the American Heart Association. Loren Fong, Ph.D., received a renewal of his American Heart Association grant. Yasuhiro Suzuki, Ph.D., and Nancy Brown, Ph.D., received awards from the University of California's University wide AIDS Research Program.
Jack Remington, M.D., chair of the Research Institute's Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, was elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. Fellows are elected by their peers based on their records of outstanding contributions to microbiology, scientific achievement and leadership.
The Research Institute and SurroMed Inc., a biotechnology company in Mountain View, agreed in 2001 to a research collaboration to conduct clinical research studies over the next three years. The first research study involves patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Other highlights:
PAMF held its ninth biennial national symposium in 2000. The symposium, entitled "Health Care Strategies Beyond 2000 A Vision for the Future," focused on the ongoing battle for quality and better access to health care in the face of economic realities and health-plan restrictions.
The Pediatric Department at the new Palo Alto campus was named the "Dr. Esther Clark and Dr. Joseph Davis Pediatric Center" to honor the department's first two physicians. The new Carol Davis Pediatric Library, named in honor of Dr. Davis' late wife and located in the waiting area, also was dedicated.
The Surgecenter was named "The Dr. R. Hewlett Lee Surgecenter of Palo Alto" in recognition of Dr. Lee's leadership and spirit of innovation. Dr. Lee, a longtime surgeon and former executive director of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic physician partnership, also was honored with a "Lifetimes of Achievement" award by Avenidas, the senior services agency for the Palo Alto area.
Linda Khiev was the 2000 winner of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic pre-medical four-year, $4,000 scholarship. The scholarship program began in 1993.
The "Dr. Richard Greene Children's Play Area" opened in early 2001 and was dedicated in June. The new play area, located just outside Pediatrics, features a "By the Sea" theme.
Melvin C. Britton, M.D., a longtime PAMF rheumatologist, was named a master of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Recognition as a master is one of the highest honors the ACR can bestow on a member. The distinction is given to members of the College who have set the highest professional standards in advancing the art and science of rheumatology.