Implementation of physician order entry system continues
Hospital officials call bond rating "disappointing", but say financial picture is improving
PAMF places temporary freeze on new primary care patients
Gregory retires, duties split between COS, associate dean
Health insurance options announced for employees at Stanford, Packard hospitals
A Tribute to Peter G.
by: Lawrence M. SHUER
After many years of service to Stanford Hospital and Stanford School of Medicine, Peter Gregory has decided to retire from his many roles - professor of medicine (gastroenterology), senior associate dean, and Stanford's first and only chief medical officer.
I say "only," because Dean Philip Pizzo has announced that Peter will not be replaced [see related story]. Dean Pizzo and Eugene Bauer, vice president of the medical center, have also announced that his duties will be split between the senior associate dean for clinical affairs and the chief of staff. So Norm Rizk - just appointed senior associate dean for clinical affairs - and myself as chief of staff will have a tough act to follow in picking up Peter's CMO duties when he leaves. I'm not being modest when I say I'm grateful there are at least two of us to share the CMO responsibilities.
Many of us have tried to arm-twist, cajole, bribe and beg Peter to remain. However, he is steadfast in his decision: Peter will be taking a permanent sabbatical effective Aug. 31 and then spending more time enjoying life with his lovely wife, Annie.
Peter came to Stanford as a senior resident in medicine 34 years ago from Yale University, where he went to medical school and finished his first year of residency. He joined the Stanford faculty in 1971 and solidly built a combined career of professional and clinical leadership, research, teaching and patient care. During the past decade, Peter helped lead the Faculty Practice, became a prominent architect of Stanford Health Services and then helped integrate the Faculty Practice and its clinics with Stanford Hospital. When SHS was created, Peter became CMO.
Things were just beginning to jell for SHS when the plan to merge with UCSF was launched by Stanford President Gerhard Casper and UCSF Chancellor Joe Martin. Peter spent many hours helping to plan the logistics of this huge endeavor. The merger left Peter temporarily without a job as CMO, but he was soon recruited by Gene Bauer to become the senior associate dean for clinical affairs. Gene put Peter's immense talent to work as the point person championing the interests of the faculty in clinical practice matters.
I'm confident Peter was happy to step aside from upper-level management in the merged entity, believing that his colleague, UCSF-Stanford CMO Bruce Wintroub, had a nearly impossible task because of the way the job was structured.
But when Stanford and UCSF demerged, Peter was called back to help lead the clinical activities of the newly reconstituted Stanford Hospital and Clinics. He resumed his role as chief medical officer and played a critical role rebuilding Stanford's infrastructure. Last summer during the nursing strike, Peter developed an informative and appreciated medical staff e-mail communication.
The past year has been as busy and varied as earlier times. Last year's accreditation visit was perhaps the fourth or fifth such site visit during Peter's administrative tenure. More recently, Peter has worked with various committees charged with improving the medical center's financial picture.
As a physician administrator, Peter has represented well the interests of physicians and their patients to administrators, board members, etc., by explaining how the practice of medicine differs from most other business environments.
At times Peter has been the lone voice of reason on behalf of clinical activities. He has attended countless board meetings, committee meetings, one-on-one meetings and other administrative sessions over the years. Recently, Peter has taken stock of his ability seemingly to be everywhere at once and has begun delegating some key responsibilities. Publicly, he has been the person frequently charged to communicate controversial and other important matters to the news media. Reporters have respected and praised his candor.
Peter has made many sacrifices by accepting so many administrative roles. Even though he was forced to give up many of the clinical duties for which he had trained, Peter nevertheless kept in touch with clinical issues directly by holding a weekly clinic. For this, as for so many other things, we owe Peter an enthusiastic thanks.
I can't help but notice that lately Peter has been smiling almost constantly as he approaches his retirement. I know he will miss parts of the job; I'm sure he'll be happy to see other parts end.
I feel fortunate to have worked closely with Peter for nearly 10 years and to learn as others have discovered that he is an exceptionally talented, caring and compassionate person. On behalf of the medical staff, and everyone who has worked with him on committees and boards, in the clinics, classrooms and community, I wish him well in this next phase of his life. Peter, thanks for a job well done. You will be missed.
