December 11, 2014

Kaiser Permanente and Drexel University College of Medicine are celebrating the success of their unique partnership by designating Kaiser Permanente in Greater Sacramento as a regional medical campus for Drexel.

The relationship between the two organizations began in 2008 with a pre-med program and went to the next level in the summer of 2013 when the first group of medical students from Drexel's Philadelphia-based medical school began a year of clinical rotations at Kaiser Permanente medical centers in greater Sacramento and the surrounding region. Since that time, the program has grown, with new groups of Drexel students getting the opportunity to train alongside Kaiser Permanente physicians and learn about KP's unique model of integrated care.

Under the new regional medical campus designation, Drexel medical students have the option to select Kaiser Permanente as their primary clinical campus and complete all of their required clinical rotations during their third and fourth years. Kaiser Permanente will provide the full complement of training in core clinical areas. This year, 16 Drexel College of Medicine students are completing rotations at four medical centers: Sacramento, South Sacramento, Roseville and Vacaville. The regional campus designation covers several Kaiser Permanente facilities.

"This partnership has proven to be a wonderful opportunity for our students to get exposure to Kaiser Permanente's unique model of health care delivery while also receiving an outstanding clinical education," said Valerie Weber, MD, vice dean for educational affairs at Drexel University College of Medicine. "The students who have already participated in the program have had a fantastic experience at Kaiser Permanente and we're excited that more of our students will have that opportunity."

As regional medical campus, Kaiser Permanente expects to attract more emerging physicians to the Greater Sacramento region who will want to live and practice in the area after receiving their medical degree.

Richard Isaacs, MD, physician-in chief for Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento, said, "Kaiser Permanente is transforming care delivery. We know exposure to our model of care, expertise, technology and facilities is showing Drexel's medical students the best the medical community has to offer and we are excited to expand our partnership with Drexel University."

Drexel has appointed Lisa Liu, MD, who is a South Sacramento assistant physician-in-chief, as associate dean of the regional medical campus.

Dr. Lisa Liu (far right) wears the Drexel white coat she received for her appointment as associate dean of the regional medical campus. Joining her from left to right are Richard S. Isaacs, MD, physician-in-chief, Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento; Daniel V. Schidlow, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine Annenberg Dean and senior vice president of medical affairs; and Valerie Weber, MD, vice dean for educational affairs. Drs. Schidlow and Weber were given Kaiser Permanente/Drexel fleece jackets during the December 10 event in South Sacramento.

 
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