Northwest Health | FALL 2007 Compiled by Wayne Wurzer

What inspires doctors who can work anywhere in the country to practice at Group Health? And what inspires them to stay, year after year? Is it our integrated system of care and coverage? Our focus on prevention and evidence-based medicine? The resources of our medical group? Here's what some of our doctors had to say.

BACK TO: Northwest Health index

Virginia Sybert, MD, dermatologist
"In the six years I've worked here, I've been impressed with the organization's dedication to health care, to the people who need it and to the people who provide it. I feel that Group Health's bottom line isn't measured in dollars — it's measured by the outcome of our patient care."

Medical school: State University of New York, Buffalo

Also known for: Board certified in medical genetics and pediatrics

Bill Huff, MD, family physician, and medical director of Complementary & Alternative Services
"Having worked in a variety of other health care settings, I choose to work — and receive my family's health care — at Group Health. I value the marriage of evidence-based care with a patient-centered approach. For example, our Center for Health Studies researches alternative approaches to health and well-being and we integrate key findings — our own and those of others — into patient care, when appropriate."

Medical school: University of California, San Francisco

Gakyung Chung, MD, surgeon
"Being a Group Health surgeon gives me much pride and joy. We have superbly trained physicians who are all dedicated to providing state-of-the-art, science-based care. I find it particularly rewarding to share the most current information with my patients — empowering them to play an active role in their own health care."

Medical school: Harvard University

Marc Lowe, MD, chief of Urology
"After 17 years here, I still feel that Group Health is the right choice for me. I'm able to practice with an excellent group of colleagues. The availability of information technology allows me to better communicate with my patients and colleagues and improve my efficiency. I truly believe that our information technology, combined with our coordinated care, gives us the potential to accomplish things that very few health care systems can achieve."

Medical school: University of Nebraska; surgery internship and urology residency at the University of Washington

Diane Dakin, MD, family physician
"I was interviewing for a job in California 23 years ago and the director asked where else I had applied. I said I'd been offered a job at Group Health and the response was, 'Oh, they're the best — you should take that one.' I've been at Group Health ever since and my respect for the organization has only grown. I've seen journal articles talking about 'new' best practices that we implemented years ago. I've also seen cases when we decided not to cover a medication, and it turned out to be less effective than originally touted. Same with some medical procedures. We're able to do this because we have a physician-led process for reviewing new research and technology. When new evidence emerges, we change our practices accordingly."

Medical school: University of California, San Francisco

Jeffrey Grice, MD, gynecologist, women's surgical oncologist, and medical center chief, Specialty Services, Capitol Hill Campus
"I joined Group Health in 1999 because of the reputation that its gynecology group has. I stay because of the incredible people I work with and the sense of teamwork. From physician colleagues, to people in the lab, to staff in the health plan, there's one mission — take good care of the patient. There's no place in the state that has such a powerful team and approach to care."

Medical school: Texas Tech University

John (Chris) Osgood, MD, orthopaedic surgeon
"Group Health is a very fulfilling place to practice. I don't have to wait for a patient's surgery to be approved by an insurance company, because Group Health offers both health care and coverage. When I determine that a patient will benefit from surgery, I schedule it. Through the electronic medical records system, EpicCare, all notes from primary care — as well as all X-rays — are only a keystroke away. No lost chart notes or lost films, and my patients enjoy being able to view their X-rays on the computer in the medical center. They also like the ability to e-mail me and to look at portions of their medical record on MyGroupHealth, our secure Web site for members."

Medical school: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Thomas D. Lindquist, MD, PhD, ophthalmologist
"I believe in patient-centered care, medical decisions based on scientific evidence, and educating and treating patients to avoid potential health problems. My style of practicing medicine meshes beautifully with Group Health's approach."

Medical school: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Patricia Kato, MD, family physician
"I appreciate Group Health's emphasis on prevention and evidence-based care. Our computer system allows for excellent communication and enhances patient care. Also, I feel privileged to work with such a great team of colleagues, whose expertise is readily available to me in my daily practice."

Medical school: University of California, San Francisco

David Grossman, MD, medical director for Preventive Care, pediatrician, investigator at the Center for Health Studies
"I came to Group Health from the University of Washington because of the opportunities to promote prevention as a cornerstone of medical practice. Group Health's Health Profile, a secure Web-based health assessment tool that helps members make lifestyle improvements, is just one example of this. Few medical groups are as invested in prevention as Group Health."

Medical school: University of California, Los Angeles

Peter Lucas, MD, psychiatrist
"I enjoy Group Health's collegial environment where everyone works together to help patients and one another. Although the primary function of psychiatrists at Group Health is to diagnose and treat mental health disorders with medications, visits usually include some psychotherapy as well. Patients appreciate it when drug and talk therapies are combined. At Group Health, I have a broad array of medications I can prescribe, each of which has gone through a rigorous screening process to determine safety and effectiveness."

Medical school: Case Western Reserve University

Nan Smith, MD, family physician
"At Group Health, I can offer my patients the most up-to-date, scientific-based medical care. I get to work with a talented, fun group of professionals — from the receptionist, to the nurses, to my fellow physicians — to provide well-coordinated care, whether we're helping a young family with its first baby or an older person who's living with a chronic condition."

Medical school: University of Washington

Also known for: The High Hopes program in Spokane, which assists teen mothers and their children. The program results in better medical care for babies, fewer subsequent pregnancies, and lower school dropout rates for the moms. High Hopes won Group Health's 2007 Don Miller Award for Innovation.

William Sayres, MD, family physician
"I have some personal experience at other practices and many friends working in other practice models, so I know that practicing here has its advantages. Most important is the commitment we have to doing the right thing for our patients in terms of both prevention, and acute and chronic care. We use a systems- and team-based approach to ensure high-quality care. I love my colleagues, who are all excellent clinicians and great people. And I enjoy the resources I can use to research clinical issues."

Medical school: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry