VICTORIA AKINS, MD Pediatrics A dedicated pediatrician, Dr. Akins takes great joy in knowing her patients from their first moment of life, caring for them, and watching them grow up. Her passionate commitment to serving children extends to the community, where she has been recognized by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for her pioneering efforts to improve the health and well being of homeless children. She is the founder of the Mustard Seed Spin, a fund-raising event in which children bicycle with their parents to raise money for homeless children in Sacramento. She is especially interested in injury prevention, and has been a member of Sacramento SAFEKIDS since 1998, serving on its board from 2000 to 2003. She also volunteers at the UC Davis Medical Center, teaching residents once a month.
YASSER AL-ANTABLY, MD, PHD Gastroenterology A highly skilled and productive gastrointestinal endoscopist, Dr. Al-Antably is one of the few physicians in all of Northern California who specializes in endoscopic ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract, a complex procedure that enables him to view not only the inner GI tract but also the surrounding organs. This procedure, which makes it possible to perform biopsies and resolve questions raised by CAT scans, can eliminate the need for exploratory surgery while helping to remove uncertainties about patients GI problems. He and his team have performed over 400 of these procedures in 2007 alone, serving members from throughout the Northern California Region. Respected by his colleagues and patients alike, he is also a dedicated researcher who has participated in clinical research about Hepatitis C for several years.
ROBERT BURNS, MD Dermatology Dr. Burns is an outstanding dermatologist with a special interest in treating skin cancers. Esteemed for his expertise at performing Mohs surgery, which provides tumor removal and reconstruction in a single operative session, he has unsurpassed clinical and technical skills as well as excellent rapport with his patients, who consistently give him high marks for his dedication and care. A great team player, he works very hard to take care of his patients, and always makes himself available to help his colleagues. A leader as well as an expert clinician, he has expanded the Mohs Surgery Clinic in the to include two additional physicians.
Anthony Cantelmi, md Medicine For Dr. Cantelmi, medicine is a way to reach out to people and get to know them in a unique way throughout their lives. As Chief of Adult Medicine, he has been a crusading spirit in our effort to streamline service, improve continuity and quality of care, and make it easier for patients to see their own doctor in a timely manner. He has worked tirelessly to establish new members with a primary care doctor and to ensure that patients experiences are warm and friendly. With his wife, Shelly Garone, MD, he has been a pioneer in palliative care. As a teacher at UC Davis, he shares his expertise with future physicians, while constantly improving his practice by learning new information, new techniques, and new procedures. 2008 tpmg 60th anniversary
JENNIFER CHOY, DO Medicine Dr. Choy distinguishes herself as both a dedicated internist and a leader in the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. She has made major contributions to the Prism Project, a comprehensive effort to address health and family needs, confront issues challenging API youth, promote mental health, and prevent domestic violence in the API community. She has also served on the Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of My Sister s House, the first domestic violence shelter in Sacramento for women and children in the API community. A member of the Domestic Violence Task Force, she champions universal screening in the Adult Medicine Department.
PHILIP DIRKSEN, MD Surgery For more than 20 years, Dr. Dirksen has approached patient care with kindness, empathy, and compassion. His passion for serving others is life-changing for his patients here and abroad. He travels to Africa annually for 6-8 weeks to restore health and hope to patients in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by training physicians and providing surgical care. In association with World Venture, he and his wife have helped open two hospitals and two nursing schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Working Congolese surgeons, who call him le Maître in admiration for his skill at taking on dauntingly complex surgical problems and making successful repairs and reconstruction, he has developed long-term relationships with his Congolese colleagues and is welcomed like family when he returns.
CYNTHIA DIRKX, MD Radiology Dr. Dirkx has singlehandedly increased her colleagues understanding of the risks of radiation exposure from diagnostic studies. She successfully overcame initial skepticism, and has made the research in this area much more accessible, and has shown that it applies directly to daily practice. Before she began her educational crusade, physicians were not necessarily aware that a CT of the abdomen or chest in a young adult carries a one in a thousand risk of causing a fatal malignancy! She has been energetic in sharing research results and information at multiple meetings with clinicians and radiologists, both locally and regionally. Her careful attention to new findings affecting the risks and rewards in her specialty is a major contribution to her colleagues and our patients alike.
DERMET FONG, MD Medicine Dr. Fong is the consummate primary care physician: hard-working smart, and compassionate. In his practice, he treats the full spectrum of medical needs in everyone from young adults to senior citizens. An admired leader and a role model for colleagues and staff, he takes care of some of the most fragile patients with the most complicated illnesses, and does so with such grace, dedication, and humility that he inspires everyone who is fortunate to know him. His goal and he will say, his highest reward as a physician is to take the very best care of his patients for the long-term for a lifetime.
SHELLY GARONE, MD Palliative Care Dr. Garone single-handedly established the Palliative Care Program in the a pioneering effort that has inspired similar programs throughout the region. As a proponent and practitioner of Palliative Care, she constantly seeks to empower her patients, so that they can live as well as they possibly can. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as the Vice President for the Medical Staff, the interim Hospice Medical Director, and an Assistant Professor for Clinical Medicine at the UC Davis Medical Center, among other leadership roles. A bright spirit, she speaks eloquently about how much she learns from her patients about life and love. They reciprocate with warm expressions of appreciation for her dedication to their comfort and care.
PATRICIA GEE, MD Medicine Dr. Gee has served our members for more than 25 years with skill, compassion, and genuine caring. In her quiet way, she has delivered the finest care, whether her efforts are judged by quality of care measures or by the high praise showered upon her by her patients. A fine teacher, she has mentored many of our physicians. Widely admired for her clinical abilities, she is also a role model for physicians seeking to achieve a balance between their home life and their professional responsibilities.
RICHARD HARR, MD Medicine Growing up, Dr. Harr was moved to study medicine by the number of people around him who suffered from chronic disease. As Chief of Clinical Care and Disease Management at Roseville and the Physician Lead for the Chronic Condition Management Program, he has pursued this calling with skill and passion. He works with the design team to develop technical and educational support for the medical staff and our members. Two programs developed under his leadership are helping to improve screening for breast and cervical cancer. His dedication to this work has helped his colleagues by giving them the tools and support they need to provide high quality care for diseases such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
VINCENT KILEY, MD Pediatrics Dr. Kiley has cared for children with cancer for more than 25 years. He and his pediatric oncology team serve the most seriously ill patients in our pediatric population, and consistently provide compassionate support to families in crisis. His commitment to outstanding cancer care extends well beyond his practice. Every year, he and his colleagues in the s pediatric oncology service donate their time and expertise to Camp Okizu, a camp experience for children with cancer. The s recently retired pet therapy dog, Riley, who warmed the lives of pediatric patients for many years, was a Kiley family project. Dr. Kiley would be the first to say that the s care of children with cancer is a team effort. His colleagues know it s a team he built.
RAPHAEL KLUG, DO Musculoskeletal Services A surgeon with a special interest in adult reconstructive surgery, Dr. Klug leads the pelvic reconstruction service in the Musculoskeletal Department in Roseville. He works collaboratively with his colleagues in Orthopedic Surgery, who can accept and stabilize patients on his behalf, until he is available to operate. The epitome of dedication, he has even been known to manage patients while on vacation in Hawaii! His colleagues admire his deep commitment to patient care and quality. He understands that success in our large organization requires a spirit of cooperation, and he fosters this spirit, knowing that close collaboration will improve the health of our members and be a source of satisfaction and pride to the members of his team.
DAVID KOH, MD Radiology With quiet strength and determination, Dr. Koh has had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of patients in the. Through his exceptional leadership as Chief of Radiology, he has significantly improved radiological services, championed the adoption of new technology to increase productivity in the department, improved quality, reduced the time for reading imaging studies from weeks to two days, and increased patient access for these appointments. In yet another pioneering effort, he has been instrumental in implementing the first walk-in mammogram program in Northern California.
MICHAEL LAWSON, MD Gastroenterology Admired as one of the top physicians in Sacramento, Dr. Lawson incorporates innovative technology into his gastroenterology practice to provide the finest treatment available for his patients. A respected teacher with a strong research orientation, he is a Clinical Professor at UC Davis and a co-principal investigator for two large trials of colon cancer screening and prevention. Dedicated to patient education as a route to healing, he founded an Irritable Bowel Syndrome class for adults, now in its tenth year, which has been replicated around the country. He also recently created a unique irritable bowel syndrome class specifically designed for teenage members and their parents. An avid athlete, he windsurfs, bikes to work, practices martial arts, and volunteers as a physician with the National Ski Patrol.
ALBIN LEONG, MD Pediatrics A gifted clinician and pediatric specialist in Pulmonology, Allergy and Immunology, Dr. Leong is highly regarded by his peers for his skill, the breadth of his knowledge, and his dedication to providing personalized care for his patients. For almost 25 years, he was the only pediatric pulmonologist in the Sacramento area, serving a patient base of around 270,000. He played key roles in starting a Pediatric Hospitalist service and in establishing the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. An educator, researcher and administrative leader, he teaches nationally and internationally as a member of the faculty under Dr. Robert E. Wood of The Children s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, who is generally considered the world authority in pediatric airway endoscopy.
DANIEL LEWIS, MD Chemical Dependency Services Dr. Lewis takes on the most complex and challenging cases with extraordinary skill, compassion, and good cheer. His colleagues especially admire his tenacity in treating patients with seemingly intractable pain. He will go to any length to meet his patients needs be it house calls, parking lot visits, even help navigating turbulent administrative waters. Trained in acupuncture as well as internal medicine, he teaches a monthly Pain Medication Education Class that is open to all Kaiser Permanente members. He chairs the Physician Well-Being Committee, and has been involved in well-being activities for over 15 years at both the local and regional level. He has also served for more than a decade as a physician consultant in the diversion program for the California Board of Registered Nurses.
CAROLYN ODELL, MD Ob/Gyn Dedicated and tireless, Dr. Odell is the leader responsible for planning and opening s new Women and Children s Hospital. Among her other pioneering roles, she established and directs the Breast Screening Clinic within Women s Health. She is the physician representative for our Domestic Violence Task Force, and helped develop the domestic violence screening program. Recognized as one of California s top doctors by Consumer s Checkbook, she is committed to providing high quality care for her patients in Obstetrics/Gynecology, and delights in helping them through some of life s greatest moments.
JAN OKIMOTO, MD Dermatology Dr. Okimoto is an extremely dedicated physician with excellent clinical and personal skills who provides outstanding service to her patients. Because of her exceptional abilities as a dermatologist and her commitment to patient care, she often takes care of the most complex and difficult cases. Her patients consistently praise her dedication, and she enjoys excellent relationships with both staff and colleagues. She chose to join TPMG to be in an environment where she could do the right thing to make sure that the quality of care her patients received would be what she herself desired for her own family and friends. Patients and colleagues alike have benefited from her decision. Outside of work, you can often find her practicing what she preaches to patients: striding around the neighborhood in a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunblock.
PAUL PHINNEY, MD Pediatrics Dr. Phinney s passion for pediatrics is contagious. He loves being around babies, children and adolescents, and finds it a joy to care for them and watch them grow. For the past 14 years, he has made outstanding contributions to the North Valley as Chief of Pediatrics, and he has served the medical community and the community at large by actively participating in local and state medical societies. Among his leadership roles, he has served as President of the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society and is a member of the California Medical Association. Dedicated not only to the health of our patients but also to the health of the community as a whole, he works tirelessly with elected officials, and participates in legislative efforts to ensure sound health policy.
JAMES RUBEN, MD Ophthalmology Clinician, teacher, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Ruben ably represents TPMG and the greater medical community through his active involvement with numerous professional organizations in ophthalmology. A pediatric ophthalmologist and ocular motility specialist, he has devoted his entire medical career to providing better eye care for children, not only in his clinical practice but also in the legislative arena. He has worked tirelessly at the national level to establish evidence-based best practices for pediatric vision screening. In California, he successfully supported legislation to improve the process for determining the vision screening requirements for children entering California schools. A Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at UC Davis, he has received an award for outstanding clinical teaching. His dedication to vision care includes traveling to other countries to perform eye surgery for needy children and adults.
BRIAN RUBINSTEIN, MD Head and Neck Surgery When Dr. Rubinstein was a resident at UC Davis, he participated in a medical mission to Ecuador to correct cleft pallets with facial plastic surgery. Seeing first-hand the impact of this work, he was inspired to devote his life to helping children with cleft pallet and other genetic complications. Deeply committed and exceptionally skilled, he has returned to Ecuador several times. A leader in the field of otolaryngology, he has collaborated with Genetics to develop a multidisciplinary craniofacial panel in Sacramento for children with complicated problems such as microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palates. Recently, he helped establish a non-profit organization, Faces of Tomorrow, which sends medical missions all over the world to conduct pediatric facial surgeries.
JANET WALKER, MD Ob/Gyn A hard-working obstetrician/gynecologist, Dr. Walker loves being the first person to say hello to each new baby. She enjoys all aspects of women s health, but has a special interest in the association between hormones and mood, and has published on the subject of Premenstrual Syndrome. Committed to providing the best medical care in a comfortable, collaborative setting, she constantly strives to tailor her treatment to each patient s medical situation, needs, and goals, and to educate her patients to help them take control of their own health. Outside of clinic, she is championing PACTS (Population and Condition Tracking System) in the, with excellent results.
ANDREW WALTER, MD Ob/Gyn Motivated by the experience of his grandmother, who suffered from urogynecological problems, Dr. Walter has devoted his professional life to providing the highest quality urogynecological care to patients in the, with a focus on incontinence. As Chair of the Regional Urogynecology Subgroup, he is committed to improving care for incontinence by using the power of KP HealthConnect to track clinical outcomes for patients who suffer from incontinence. A dedicated researcher, he is passionate about using data to help develop evidence-based best practices that will enable physicians to care for patients most effectively and improve their quality of life. A respected leader, he is playing a pioneering role in developing the s Pelvic Pain Center.