Raymond Schaerf, MD, and Michael Hyman, MD
LACMA members since 1980 and 2003 respectively
Raymond Schaerf, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery, and Michael Hyman, MD, chief of urology, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, performed surgeries in April using the hospital's new da Vinci S Surgical System, the second generation in robotic surgery.

The da Vinci S Surgical System enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive operations more precisely than before, providing greater outcomes for patients with less pain and scarring. Dr. Schaerf performed the West Coast's first thoracic surgery with the da Vinci S. Dr. Hyman utilized "Vince the Robot" to conduct a prostatectomy.

"To be a competitive hospital, we really need to have the best equipment and the most cutting-edge technology," says Dr. Schaerf, chairman of the surgery department. "That's why I strongly encouraged the administration to purchase the da Vinci S Surgical System for our patients."

Compared with the da Vinci introduced in 1999, the da Vinci S has surgical arms with more extensive movements allowing them to complete more minute surgeries without having to make new incisions.

"Performing prostatectomies with the da Vinci S allows me to give my patients a better cancer operation with improved clinical outcomes, including smaller, more precise incisions, significantly reduced blood loss, and improved recovery of erectile function," Dr. Hyman says.

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center is the first hospital west of Texas to receive the da Vinci S Surgical System. Within a few years, the hospital hopes to perform 2,000 of its 10,000 annual surgical cases with the new technology.

Claudia Rico (2004), Connie Chung (2005), Carolyn Kaloostian (2004), Catherine Lin (2004) and Christine Trieu (2005)
RCMA student members since 2004 and 2005, as above
Rico, Chung, Kaloostian, Lin and Trieu, first- and second-year students in the UC Riverside/UCLA Thomas Haider Program in Biomedical Sciences, were featured in a Press-Enterprise article, "Bionic Biomeds," in March for setting up the Student Run Health Clinic at the First Congregational Church in downtown Riverside. On the second Wednesday of each month, students partner with physicians and nurses to treat homeless, low-income and uninsured patients free of charge.

"The clinic was started in January 2005 by a group of then-first-year medical students who spent their free time volunteering at Project Food, a feeding program hosted by First Congregational Church on Wednesdays," Chung says. "The students noticed that the population served was not receiving adequate healthcare and from this, gave birth to the concept of the Student Run Health Clinic."

The clinic offers wound care and bandages for bug bites and burns, diabetes and hypertension screening, antibiotics for colds and infections, and prenatal care. Hepatitis C, HIV and blood glucose testing is also provided along with flu shots, physical exams and health education. The facility even provides a free hygiene kit complete with toothbrush, soap, deodorant and shampoo.

The article included personal comments from Rico. At 22, she is just a few years older than her parents when they crossed the border from Mexico. Her father found work in shoe and window factories. Her mom was employed at an upholstery factory. Today, her parents are U.S. citizens, property owners and taxpayers. Their oldest son is a doctor and Rico is on her way. "I feel incredibly lucky to have all the opportunities that I've had with my education," she told the newspaper. "I feel like I have to give back somehow."

Rebecca Patchin, MD
RCMA member since 1995
Patchin, a Riverside pain management specialist and member of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees, was one of four recipients of the Presidential Commendation for Exceptional Service to People With Pain Award in February at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine in San Diego. Scott Fishman, MD, immediate past president, presented a plaque to Dr. Patchin for her pain advocacy work with the Medical Board of California and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"To help meet a provision of AB 487, Dr. Patchin chaired an advisory group charged with developing MBC guidelines for physicians who practice pain management, especially with regards to prescribing controlled substances," Dr. Fishman says. "In her role as an AMA Trustee, she was involved in a lot of behind-the-scenes work with the DEA to ensure that the war on drugs doesn't eclipse the war on pain."

AB 487, the CME pain law passed in 2001, called for the MBC's Division of Medical Quality to develop pain management standards before June 1, 2002, to ensure competent review in cases concerning the undertreatment, undermedication and overmedication of pain. Amid this process, the division was encouraged to consult with groups such as the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society and the California Society of Anesthesiologists. Dr. Patchin was instrumental in bringing these groups together.

"It was a total surprise and an incredibly wonderful honor to receive the award," Dr. Patchin says. "It was very lovely to be recognized for my work with these groups."

Julian Omidi, MD
LACMA member since 2005
Omidi, a Beverly Hills dermatologist and surgery center owner, is expanding Pacific West Dermatology and Laser Center, his group of dermatologic surgery centers in Beverly Hills, West Hills and Palmdale. Dr. Omidi is not only adding new locations, he is increasing the size of his original ones. Dr. Omidi has partnered with Golden Hands Medical Construction, a Van Nuys-based construction company specializing in medical/surgical centers.

"We are building three new locations in Valencia, Apple Valley and Bakersfield," Dr. Omidi says. "But we are also expanding our existing buildings and increasing the number of operating rooms. We just moved into the new Beverly Hills location two months ago, which boasts 7,000 square feet and four operating rooms."

Dr. Omidi's brother, Michael Omidi, MD, a plastic surgeon, has also joined the practice, enabling Pacific West to offer a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures as well.

"The new facilities have a modern, contemporary design with a luxurious, spacious waiting room," Dr. Omidi says. "Patients will enjoy several amenities, such as a recovery spa and new equipment."

Myriam Perez, MD
OCMA member since 2004
Perez, a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente Lakeview Medical Offices in Anaheim, spoke at a press conference in March on behalf of Kaiser to promote Orange County's 100% Campaign, a countywide effort that aims to provide health insurance to all elementary school children. The event was held at Melrose Elementary School, the first school in the 100% Campaign to enroll every child in a healthcare coverage program.

The campaign is a collaborative effort among St. Joseph Health System, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District, CalOptima and the Children's Health Initiative of Orange County.

"There are approximately 40,000 children in Orange County who are uninsured," Dr. Perez says. "Our goal is to enroll these children in healthcare insurance by implementing the 100% Campaign at every school in Orange County."

The campaign offers a variety of affordable child health programs, including Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and the Kaiser Permanente Child Health Plan, which provides full benefit coverage. Grant Elementary School in Santa Ana has been designated to implement the 100% Campaign next. The campaign was modeled after a program in Solano County.

"Preventive health is so important, yet not really understood in many cultures," Dr. Perez says. "Many people just go to the doctor when they are sick. It is so important to adopt healthy habits and visit the doctor regularly, especially for yearly checkups. Enrolling kids in health insurance is the first step toward making that a reality."