The Palo Alto Medical Foundation for Health Care, Research and Education (PAMF) was founded in 1930 as the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, one of the first outpatient multispecialty physician groups in the country. Today, PAMF is a not-for-profit health care organization that is a pioneer in both multispecialty group medical practice and outpatient medicine.

Since 1993, PAMF has been a part of the Sutter Health family of not-for-profit hospitals, medical foundations and physician organizations that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality. Serving more than 100 communities in Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care, as well as care of women and children, and is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology.

In 2000 and 2002, respectively, Sutter Santa Cruz and Camino Medical Group affiliated with PAMF and helped to create the three health care regions, each of which covers a different geographical area and offers a full range of primary and specialty care:

• Palo Alto region
  
• Camino region
  
• Santa Cruz region

As a not-for-profit organization, PAMF is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the local community. We provide care to Medicare, Medicaid and indigent patients, and accept more than 30 other health insurance plans. Meanwhile, our Education Division offers health promotion classes, support groups, lectures and health information resources to the community. We partner with local school and agencies on community improvement projects and provide financial and in-kind assistance, and many of our physicians and employees participate in volunteer and community activities, such as free medical clinics.

PAMF is also dedicated to meeting the health needs of all individuals through medical research. PAMF’s Research Institute conducts basic scientific research in the areas of cardiovascular biology, immunology and infectious diseases, and health services research. Through the Research Institute, our physicians also have opportunities to participate in clinical trials and other studies.

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