The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that there are about 16,000 fewer primary care doctors practicing in the United States today than are needed. These include Family Medicine doctors who help patients of all ages stay healthy.

Although PAMF has little power over the broad system-wide issues that are behind this shortage, we are doing what we can locally to support primary care physician education programs. In December, PAMF donated $250,000 to the San Jose-O'Connor Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program to allow it to continue to train eight family medicine doctors each year.

"The future of health care reform, and the U.S. health care system is dependent on an adequate supply of primary care physicians," says Larry deGhetaldi, M.D., president of PAMF's Santa Cruz Division. "PAMF is blessed with thriving primary care departments. More than 45 of the primary care physicians currently practicing within PAMF are graduates of the O'Connor Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. The future success of PAMF and our ability to continue to provide access to primary care services for PAMF's patients is dependent on the sustainability of programs like this."

Supporting a high quality local post-graduate medical training program like the O'Connor Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program is part of PAMF's community benefit strategy.

"Our patients are fortunate that this program continues to train outstanding family physicians right in our backyard," Dr. deGhetaldi says.