The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has selected 27 health professionals for its second group of fellows to participate in its prestigious CHCF Health Care Leadership Program. The goal of the program is to equip talented professionals to positively influence health care policy and delivery in California. Sponsored by CHCF, the program is administered by the Center for the Health Professions at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Twenty-six fellows are currently participating in the two-year program.

"We designed a program that would expand the experiences of health care professionals beyond their fields of expertise and that would engage them in a rigorous business and personal leadership curriculum," said Mark D. Smith, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the California HealthCare Foundation.

Over the course of two years, fellows convene in seminars led by nationally acclaimed health care experts and faculty associated with The Anderson School of Management at UCLA. The curriculum covers health care issues from business, leadership, and public policy perspectives. Participants learn how to build and lead teams, manage complexity and change, optimize the use of human resources, understand and utilize financial management tools, and respond to consumer-driven trends and changing demographics.

"This is an important time to invest in the emerging leaders of California health care. The individuals selected for this program are professionals with outstanding credentials and proven commitment to the health care system. It's a privilege to prepare them for the next level in their careers," said Albert Martin, M.D., chair and executive director, CHCF Health Care Leadership Program.

Participants in the program's first class, now in the second year of their fellowship, have used the curriculum to develop practical solutions to health care issues. According to John Keats, M.D., Medical Director of the Buenaventura Medical Group, "The fellowship helped me develop a program for physician retention that I have already put into place for my organization."

Candidates selected for the 2002-2004 fellowship:

Joshua S. Adler, M.D.
Director, Ambulatory Practices, UCSF Department of Medicine, San Francisco

Peter E. Alperin, M.D.
Medical Director, Brown and Toland, San Francisco

Ruth V. Bundy, PhD, R.N.
Manager, Occupational Health, University of California, Irvine

Sylvia Gates Carlisle, M.D., M.B.A.
Medical Director, Health Plan of San Joaquin, Stockton

Michelle B. Caughey, M.D.
Physician in Chief, The Permanente Medical Group, South San Francisco

Ziad S. Dabuni, M.D.
Medical Director / President, West Covina Medical Group, Eastland Medical Group, West Covina

Diane Dooley, M.D., M.H.S.
Chair, Pediatric Department, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, Martinez

Krystin E. Dozier, R.N., B.S.N.
Clinical Integration Director, Sutter Health, Sacramento

Hector Flores, M.D.
Co-Director, White Memorial Medical Center, Family Practice Residency Program, Los Angeles

Georgina Garcia, R.N., M.S.
Assistant Medical Center Administrator, Nurse Executive, Kaiser Permanente, Baldwin Park

Laura A. Hardy, R.N.
Medical Center Manager, La Vida Multi-Specialty Medical Center, Los Angeles

Jeffrey A. Hay, M.D.
Medical Driector, Inpatient Services, HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Torrance

Todd Hee, M.D.
Regional Medical Director, HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Pasadena

Vickie Y. Height, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Medical Director, United States Postal Services, City of Industry

Mivic Hirose, R.N., M.S.
Associate Administrator, Associate Director of Nursing, Laguna Honda Hospital, San Francisco

Joel D. Hyatt, M.D.
Assistant Associate Medical Director/Clinical Services, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Pasadena

Elizabeth C. Johnson, M.D.
Medical Director, SF Department of Public Health, Ocean Park Health Center, San Francisco

Gretchen Kunitz, M.D.
Medical Director, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Berkeley

Thomas R. March, M.D.
Associate Medical Director, Board Member, Pediatrician Caltholic HealthCare West, Woodland Healthcare, Woodland

Cindy K. Mayo, B.S.N., M.S.N.
Chief Nurse Executive, Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento

Eric M. Rudnick, M.D.
Medical Director, Emergency Deptartment, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Shasta Emergency Medical Group, Redding

Robert A. Schultz, M.D.
Physician-in-Chief, The Permanente Medical Group, Santa Rosa

Elizabeth F. Shephard, R.N., B.S.N., M.B.A.
Lead Vice President, Care Management, HealthCare Partners Medical Group, Torrance

F. Wells Shoemaker, M.D.
Medical Director, Physicians Medical Group, Santa Cruz

Thomas A. Utecht, M.D., B.S.
Director of the Emergency Department, Community Medical Centers, Fresno

Christine A. Wachsmuth, R.N., M.S.
Associate Hospital Administrator, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco

Michael J. Witte, M.D.
Medical Director, Coastal Health Alliance, Point Reyes Station