As a group, we are diverse with about 40 specialties. A significant percentage of our providers work in a hospital setting.

As health care reform takes shape, it will be important for us to work across the continuum  to manage patient care and population health.

Because primary care will be a key starting point for cross-specialty collaboration, Dr. Karen Sharpe, recently convened a primary care summit.

About 30 physician leaders from across PeaceHealth joined together to explore opportunities for improving quality outcomes and patient experience while raising the level of satisfaction among providers and staff. It was a great start to many more conversations to come. Thanks to all of those who helped make it a success.

I also want to acknowledge one of our PeaceHealth colleagues from Florence, Dr. Paul Pearson. At the Boston Marathon this week, Paul had finished the race and was heading back to the hotel with his wife at the time of the explosions. Shortly thereafter, he was giving medical aid to victims in the street.

We are grateful that he and his wife were safe and we appreciate and admire his heart for service and physical stamina in a terrifying situation. (Read the account from the Florence newspaper.)