Kaiser Permanente's Campbell Med Office marks 15 years

At Kaiser Permanente’s Campbell Medical Office, a lot of doctors, nurses, and staff remember the circus train that parked next to the building many years ago. The circus train was one of the many fond memories shared at the Campbell Medical Office’s 15th Anniversary recently.
“A railroad track runs alongside our building here on Hacienda Avenue,” said Dr. Keith Fabisiak, Pediatric Chief at Kaiser Permanente Campbell, “and one day there was a circus train parked on the track. It was very unusual. The performers would be walking around, relaxing, waiting for their next show. We even saw some clowns and circus animals.”
Of course, the circus train is long gone now, but what continues at the Campbell Medical Office is its dedication to quality service and excellent medical care for Kaiser Permanente members. A hand-picked group of caregivers was brought on when Kaiser Permanente opened the building in 1999.
“We wanted to make sure that the doctors, nurses, and staff at Kaiser Permanente Campbell were very special,” says Dr. Beth Robie, Physician-in-Charge, who has been at the Campbell Office since its opening 15 years ago.
Dr. Robie says the doctor, nurse, and staff selection process was rigorous, and once a team was chosen, they all spent five days in the still-unopened office in Campbell getting to know one another and team-building.
“Kaiser Permanente’s Campbell Medical Office was designed to be different from the start,” says Dr. Robie, “with an emphasis on service and putting the patient first.”
She cites numerous surveys showing extremely high patient satisfaction scores at the Campbell Medical Office during the 15 years that the office has been open. But that was part of the idea, even down to the place where the office started.
“Even the location was important,” says Dr Robie. “Our leaders wanted to make sure the office was close to the freeway for our members’ convenience.”
In 1999, Bill Clinton was President of the United States, and many of us were concerned that the New Year, 2000, would mean a world-wide crisis for computers. It didn’t happen, of course, but computers changed the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office.
“We used to have a room in the building for storage of patient medical charts,” says Dr. Fabisiak. “But soon everything was on the computer in what’s called ‘KPHealthConnect’. So we didn’t need the Chart Room anymore.”
At the same time, all-digital diagnostic tools, like mammograms and x-rays, meant that the images went directly to the computers and the Campbell Medical Office no longer needed a room to develop and store films.
“We were able to make some moves that will result in expanding our Department of Medicine with the extra space,” said Joyce Snowbarger, Assistant Medical Group Administrator. “We want it to be a benefit for our members.”
There was a small luncheon for the staff on the 15th Anniversary of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office in Campbell, and while there may have been changes in medical technology and techniques since 1999, one thing stayed the same, and that was the feeling that this office is a “family” caring for our Kaiser Permanente families.