"What to Expect": Physician Training for a Community Health Center: The Case of Kalamazoo

Last Updated on April 16, 2022 by Lee Burnett, DO, FAAFP

Although public attention is focused on the controversial implementation process for PPACA, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, there are many reform activities that parallel or are occuring independently of the federal and state-sponsored changes in health care delivery and financing.

Three members of the plenary faculty of the 25th National Conference on Primary Health Care Access will discuss changes in how a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) the Kalamazoo Family Health Center, implements its mission of providing quality health care access to the community of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The FQHC’s chief executive officer, Denise Crawford, will outline the ways in which Toyota lean manufacturing processes are instilled in KHFC’s health care delivery process.

Ms Crawford, the 2013 Virginia Fowkes National Conference Scholar, wiill explain the health center’s transformation into a Patient-Centered Medical Home, in preparation for the State of Michigan’s rollout of Medicaid expansion.

Allan Wilke, MD, a Senior Fellow of the National Conferences, will discuss how Western Michigan University is training its physician residents to “work smarter, not harder”, including the delegation of tasks to medical assistants that can be effectively done through protocols.

Cheryl Dickson, MD, will discuss the undergraduate medical school programs and curricular reforms to enhance the changes at the postgraduate (physician residency) levels.

The presentation will be part of the 25th National Conference on Primary Health Care Access, to be held April 14-16, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.

Persons interested in further information on the National Conference should contact [email protected].