2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Calm, kind and caring, Dr. Anderson is, in all respects, a consummate physician. His excellent clinical abilities are matched by his devotion to his patients and his concern for colleagues and staff. His patients know he will give them his full attention when they come in to see him, for however long is needed. He defines his role as an internist broadly, seeing himself not only as a physician but also as an advocate, coach, encourager, enabler, and giver of hope. His patients appreciate his commitment to helping them tackle problems as they arise and his dedication to keeping them well both physically and spiritually under his care.

ROBERT ANDERSON, MD Medicine

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Bhutani is deeply devoted to his patients, and places their needs and care above all else. An outstanding physician, he serves as Associate Chief of Oncology at Kaiser Permanente in Walnut Creek, and works harmoniously with the Cancer Center team to provide timely and compassionate cancer care. His colleagues and staff respect and admire him for his commitment to taking patients through difficult life situations and helping them heal from physical and emotional traumas. His unique perspective on issues and his easy going personality make him the “go to guy” whenever anyone has a problem. A leader and beloved mentor, he works tirelessly to make the Oncology department the absolute best it can be.

RAKESH BHUTANI, MD Oncology

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Colburn became interested in helping others in high school while working as a counselor, lifeguard, and coach for disabled children. He has been an outstanding podiatric physician and surgeon with TPMG in the Diablo Service Area for over 20 years. Caring and compassionate, he has dedicated his career to being an educator as well as to providing high quality medical care. In addition to seeing patients for the Department of Podiatric Surgery, he serves as the Site Coordinator for our Podiatric Surgical Residency Program and as Sub-Chief for the Department of Orthopedics, Division of Podiatric Surgery. He is well-known for his treatment of pediatric clubfoot deformities utilizing the non-surgical Ponseti Method, which relies on gentle mobilization and casting of the infant’s feet. So successful has he been with this approach that he has treated patients from as far away as Singapore and Egypt.

MICHAEL COLBURN, DPM Podiatry

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

With consummate communication and clinical skills, Dr. Deck is a role model to his colleagues. His patients appreciate his dedication to sitting down with them and figuring out how to thrive and enjoy life to its fullest. As a Communication Consultant, he supports not only his own department, but any department that requests his expertise. His training sessions in communication skills are packed not only with useful information but also with humor and empathy for our roles as health care providers. His colleagues respect and admire him for his profound fund of knowledge, and many seek his advice about difficult clinical cases. Considered a “doctor’s doctor,” he cares for many of the physicians in Pleasanton as well as their families.

JEROME DECK, JR., MD Medicine

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Egan retired in 2007 after 31 years with TPMG. A pillar of the Department of Urology, he was a master of open surgery, highly sought after as an assisting partner for unusual cases, because of his vast experience, which he was so willing to share. Stepping into his office was like entering a temple of urologic wisdom for patients and colleagues alike. Everyone looked forward to their interactions with him, and thoroughly enjoyed his capacity to find humor in so many things in the course of the day.

RICHARD EGAN, MD Urology

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

A tireless physician who gives generously of himself, Dr. Freshman takes on the most difficult of cases in the complex field of colorectal surgery. Warm, genuine, trusted and respected for his wise counsel, he serves as the Associate Chief of the Department of Surgery as well as the Associate Chief of Hospital Utilization at the Walnut Creek Medical Center. In his practice, he is dedicated to giving his patients thorough explanations, involving them fully in clinical decision making, and offering them the same quality of care that he would expect any of his family members to receive.

STEVEN FRESHMAN, MD Surgery

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Gallagher joined TPMG in 1976, the year the Martinez Medical Offices opened. She faithfully served a devoted group of patients at the Martinez Pediatric Clinic for many years, until she decided to become a full-time pediatric hospitalist at the Walnut Creek Medical Center. With a calm, warm manner and excellent clinical skills, she provides the best possible care, using her listening skills to learn as much as possible about her patients’ health and activities. A team player, she is known for arriving in the middle of the night when an extra pediatrician is needed for a multiple birth delivery or other emergencies. Her generous heart extends well beyond the medical center to her volunteer work. A Girl Scout Troop Leader for many years, she now serves on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay Area, helps as a trainer, teaching first aid and backpacking, and serves as a counselor at summer camp. She also participates in medical missions abroad.

KATHERINE GALLAGHER, MD Pediatrics

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Grant is the ideal Hospital Based Specialist: compassionate, caring, personable, and very efficient. The son of one of TPMG’s founding physicians, he has practiced in Walnut Creek since 1975. Very supportive of younger physicians in the department and extremely dedicated to his patients, he is a champion of treating others with respect, and lends dignity to the lives of everyone around him—members, co-workers, and colleagues. Unabashedly friendly, he creates an atmosphere of joy and excitement wherever he is. Share a laugh with him, and you can’t help but feel you have made a friend.

ROBERT GRANT, MD HBS

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

A pillar of the Department of Adult Medicine, Dr. Hegg generously shares her vast experience and knowledge with her colleagues. A gifted leader, she created the Hospital Based Specialist Team at Mt. Diablo. She serves as Chief of Medical Legal in the Diablo Service Area, and has been Assistant Chief of Medicine, Medical Staff President, and Physician-in-Charge at the Park Shadelands Medical Offices. Her patients think highly of her, knowing that she always keeps their best interests in mind. In recognition of her commitment to her patients, her TPMG colleagues have honored her with a prestigious Career of Caring Award.

MARGARET HEGG, MD Medicine

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Ho is dedicated to high quality service, and pitches in wherever he is needed to ensure that procedures are performed in a timely manner. An excellent clinician in a rapidly changing and advancing field, he makes even the most difficult cases look easy. In addition to his practice, he serves in a leadership role as the section Sub-Chief of Interventional Radiology. A tireless worker with a great sense of humor, he earns respect and admiration for the opened minded and friendly relations he enjoys with patients, colleagues and staff.

PAUL HO, MD Interventional Radiology

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

A strong and caring leader, Dr. Jimenez devotes seemingly endless energy to improving the Medicine department at the Antioch Delta Fair facility. As Chief of Adult Medicine for Kaiser Permanente, Delta Fair Medical Offices and Deer Valley Medical Offices in Antioch, she has made major contributions to our growth. Her colleagues respect and admire her for her positive disposition and her consistent willingness to find time to discuss their needs. Her strong interest in diversity led to the creation of the first Spanish-speaking Medicine Module in the Diablo Service Area. Her leadership and achievements have been recognized with a Career of Caring award, one of the highest honors bestowed by TPMG.

LOURDES JIMENEZ, MD Medicine

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Maier has been the backbone of the Diablo Perinatal Service since 1989. Under his guidance, the service has become a model of excellence and efficiency. He has provided consultative expertise to physicians at seven sites and two hospitals, offering round-the-clock clinical advice and professional support for the most challenging high risk obstetrical cases. His technical proficiency, calming bedside manner, and determination to perfect systems and workflows have catapulted him into the forefront of hospital leadership. He has made major contributions through his own exceptional patient care and his tireless pursuit of superior obstetric care for our members.

JEFFREY MAIER, MD Women’s Health

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

A dedicated physician and leader, Dr. Mazar serves as Chief of Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine in the Diablo Service Area. He has also served as Chair of the Regional Pulmonary Chiefs and Chair of the Adult Asthma Guideline Committee. In addition to seeing patients for the Department of Pulmonology, he cares for critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit. His colleagues admire and respect him for his fairness and his dedication to engaging others and listening to their point of view before reaching a decision. His quiet sense of self and willingness to learn have been assets in his successful effort to guide and expand his department.

MARTIN MAZAR, MD Pulmonary &

Critical Care Medicine Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

If there were a model for the consummate pediatrician, it would be Dr. Mullin, who combines outstanding clinical skills with true compassion for his patients and their families. He has a special ability to communicate with his patients in a way that shows how much he truly cares about children. His patients, both old and new, reciprocate this devotion, awarding him high ratings for his care and service. He has cared for patients at the Kaiser Permanente Pleasanton Medical Offices since 1983. He also sees patients at the Walnut Creek Medical Center and at the facility’s Intensive Care Nursery. In addition to these roles, he serves as Chief of the Department of Pediatrics for our seven outpatient sites in the Diablo Service Area.

PATRICK MULLIN, MD Pediatrics

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Neldner is the champion of champions when it comes to preventing and treating infectious disease. Over the past decade she has educated thousands of patients and hundreds of physicians in the Diablo Service Area about disease prevention. In addition to seeing hospitalized patients at the Walnut Creek Medical Center, she consults about infectious diseases with patients at the Walnut Creek Medical Offices and the HIV Clinic at the Martinez Medical Offices. She serves as Chief of Infectious Diseases, Director of Infection Control, and Director of Infusion Services for the Diablo Service Area, and is the physician liaison to the HIV Clinic. Skilled and compassionate, she has made patient safety and high quality care her career mission.

KATHERINE NELDNER, MD Infectious Disease

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

At a time when few women were entering the medical field as physicians, let alone being department chiefs, Dr. O’Keeffe rose to the challenge of leading the Walnut Creek Anesthesia Department. Always calm, good humored, and even tempered, she effectively dealt with the many challenges that arose in running a large department. She stepped away from her role as Chief in 2001, after serving 17 years, but continued to provide supportive presentations for new female physicians in the DSA. She was, and is, a terrific role model, demonstrating how to balance one’s clinical practice and family life while being an effective leader. Active in her profession as well as her practice, she is a District Director for the California Society of Anesthesiologists. Now that her children are grown, she combines her passion for travel and her dedication to service by volunteering with Rotaplast, providing pediatric anesthesia for cleft palate surgery in the Philippines.

HELEN O’KEEFFE, MD Anesthesiology

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Overfield has contributed outstanding clinical skills in critical care, airway management, and ultrasound to the Emergency Department. He serves as Education Chair and his energy, enthusiasm and leadership in continuing education are second to none. He is a tireless advocate of excellence in patient care, and keeps everyone abreast of the latest innovations. Recognized by his peers as the expert in all procedures, he is often called upon to assist in difficult situations. His colleagues consider him our Emergency Services MVP.

MICHAEL OVERFIELD, MD Emergency Medicine

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Probst has boundless energy and always goes the extra mile for her patients and colleagues. An exceptional clinician with a special interest in high-risk obstetrics and minimally invasive surgery, she takes on the most complicated of obstetrics cases with ease, and participates in new and innovative gynecological procedures. Her patients appreciate her dedication to women’s health, and consistently give her high marks for her outstanding care and service.

KIMBERLY PROBST, MD Women’s Health

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

For 25 years as a TPMG physician, Dr. Rogers has pushed herself and encouraged her colleagues to deliver the very best quality care possible. With research interests and consummate clinical skills in rheumatology and intensive care, she earns high praise from her patients and from colleagues, who recognized her exemplary dedication to her patients with what is arguably the most important award in TPMG, The Career of Caring Award. The award honors physicians who routinely go the extra mile to help their patients. She received this award the first year it was given.

ANNE ROGERS, MD Pulmonary &

Critical Care Medicine Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

A general surgeon with a saintly disposition, Dr. Rolle has provided dedicated care to our members for more than 25 years, handling the big cases with consummate skill and discussing each diagnosis with compassion and concern. As Chief of the Department of Surgery at Walnut Creek, he is a role model for his colleagues—the consultant they choose for a difficult case in the Operating Room in the middle of the night, the doctor they would want for a parent or child. Calm, cool and talented, he considers it a privilege to practice medicine and change people’s lives. His colleagues, in turn, feel privileged to stand at his side.

THOMAS ROLLE, MD Surgery

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Sadur uses tenacious dedication, unfailing patient focus and cutting-edge, evidence-based advice to provide his patients with consistent and reliable care. With his dry sense of humor, generous spirit, willingness to help whenever he’s asked, and diplomatic and patient approach to challenges, he is a role model for his colleagues. In addition to seeing Endocrinology patients, he has helped us make strides in improving care for members with chronic endocrine conditions. He serves as Co-Chair of the Cholesterol Guidelines Team for the Northern California Region of Kaiser Permanente, Cholesterol Champion for the Diablo Service Area, and Diabetes and Hypertension Champion at the programs affiliated with the Pleasanton and Livermore Medical Offices. He formed the Diablo Endocrine Tumor Board, and serves as an active Community Ambassador.

CRAIG SADUR, MD Endocrinology

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Sauer has been an outstanding clinical leader in the Emergency Department, consistently delivering top level performance in all aspects of patient care. She has demonstrated exemplary communication skills that have been recognized by patients, families, peers, and staff alike. She has served as Peer Reviewer for her department, and has contributed to the department’s education with case-based discussions. Dr. Sauer is always positive, professional, and is truly a pleasure to work with. She has served as a mentor for many new female ED physicians in a male-dominated department, and in the process has become a great role model for them to follow.

VIRGINIA SAUER, MD Emergency Medicine

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Known for her expertise, dedication, and compassion, Dr. Simpson treats her patients as friends and family, using her quiet sense of humor to put everyone at ease. Her commitment to excellence and hard work has gained her the admiration not only of our members but also of staff at all levels of the organization. Her surgical expertise combined with her love of teaching has enabled her to serve as a mentor to both new and experienced physicians. She takes great satisfaction in helping women overcome urogynecological problems, and her patients are grateful for her healing powers.

KAREN SIMPSON, MD Women’s Health

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Smith is both a compassionate surgeon and an artist in her specialty. Her work with reconstructive surgery for cancer patients is enormously successful, not only because she achieves excellent results but also because she makes a positive impact on the life of each person she touches. She has an incredibly optimistic outlook, which she conveys successfully to her patients at very vulnerable times of their lives. When she assures her patients that they will look good again, that they will get better, her strength of conviction helps them believe in themselves. She joined TPMG in 1988, as the first plastic surgeon in the Diablo Service Area. In 1999, Plastic Surgery became a department and she became Chief. Outside of the walls of TPMG, she volunteers with Interplast, an organization which brings plastic surgery services to patients in developing countries throughout the world.

TINA SMITH, MD Plastic Surgery

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

A pediatrician with special expertise in pediatric infectious disease, Dr. a is dedicated to caring for his patients as he would his own family. He readily advises his colleagues about pediatric infectious disease and pharmacology, consulting on individual cases and offering continuing education in these areas. His colleagues respect his knowledge, and appreciate his proclivity to punctuate all his interactions with a smile. In addition to his pediatric practice, he serves as Chief of the Diablo Service Area Outpatient Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and Chair of the DSA Drug Utilization Committee. Outside of work, he is an Assistant Scoutmaster and has been involved for nine years as a coach, a problem captain, and a Bay Region board member for the Odyssey of the Mind program, an international educational program in creative problem-solving.

GARWIN SOE, MD Pediatrics

Diablo Service Area

2008 TPMG 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Dr. Weisser is a very hard-working, caring, and devoted pediatrician, who serves in a leadership role as Chief of Pediatrics in Pleasanton. He came to TPMG from the Navy, where he served in many military hospitals, including Guam, Lemoore, San Diego, and Oakland. Highly respected for his dedication to his patients and their families, he receives frequent ‘Above and Beyond’ letters attesting to his genuine concern for, and interest in, the well-being of the children he serves. A valued resource for questions about Adolescent Medicine, he often speaks at community and church functions about pediatric and teen health issues.

RICK WEISSER, MD Pediatrics

Diablo Service Area