Training Future Physicians

Physicians at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) take pride in helping train the doctors of the future. Many PAMF physicians are volunteer clinical faculty members of the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The physician's involvement, though, goes far beyond the classroom. Medical students can experience first hand the kind of real-life health care that cannot be found in a classroom -- by working side-by-side with PAMF doctors in their daily practices.

On-site programs for both the pre-medical and medical student have been developed through many years of leadership of Ronald Kaye M.D., a longtime rheumatologist and Director of Medical Education at PAMF. Dr. Kaye retired from active practice in 1998, but continues to coordinate both the student-training and continuing-medical-education (CME) programs at PAMF.

PAMF physicians who work with the Stanford students report they gain in professional satisfaction as they share their years of experience.

Educational opportunities are designed to meet the needs of the student. Below is a list of programs available to pre-med and medical students at the clinic. Application for any of the following should be made several months in advance.

• "Day with a Doctor" -- Stanford University pre-med students (or anyone considering a career in medicine) can spend a day with a doctor at PAMF, following him or her through his or her usual daily routine. New students often come with preconceived notions of the medical profession, usually developed through watching popular medical TV shows, according to Dr. Kaye. This day with the doctor gives the student the opportunity to see what practicing medicine is about and helps to give him or her a better view of the profession.
  
  
• Stanford Medical Students -- The Stanford University School of Medicine offers a one to four week elective course to students who would like to learn at PAMF. The Clinic helps the student tailor this experience to meet his or her educational needs. For instance, a medical student might want first-hand experience in treating certain types of skin diseases. The student could then spend his or her time working closely with a PAMF dermatologist. This course is coordinated through the Dean's Office at Stanford Medical School.
  
  
• Non-Stanford Medical Students -- At this time PAMF cannot accept non-Stanford medical students, foreign medical students or physicians into our educational programs.

If you would like more information about any of these programs, contact:

Dr. Ronald Kaye,
Director of Medical Education
(650) 853-2087

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