Palo Alto Medical Foundation adds MDs, hospital

Things are humming along for the Palo Alto (CA) Medical Foundation (PAMF), which has just announced not only approval for its $375 million-odd dollar hospital project but also a merger with two area medical groups. PAMF, which is part of Sutter Health, is merging with Camino Medical Group and the Santa Cruz Medical Clinic as of January 1, 2008; the combined entity will have a roster of about 850 physicians. Meanwhile, PAMF has gotten the green light to move ahead with its planned 97-beds, $375 million hospital and medical complex in San Carlos, despite strong opposition from the Service Employees International Union and Catholic Healthcare West-affiliated competitor Sequoia Hospital. In the future, PAMF hopes to bulk up to about 1,500 doctors, a move which should help Sutter compete with Kaiser Permanente in northern California.

To learn more about PAMF's plans:
- read this San Francisco Business Times article