March 12, 2004

New programs, leadership for Stoeckle Center

The beginning of the new year marked a new beginning for the John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation. The center debuted its new administrative offices at 50 Staniford St. with an open house held Jan. 22 for clinicians, patients and supporters.

The center's namesake — retired MGH Internal Medicine physician John D. Stoeckle, MD — established the center in 2000 to improve the practice of primary care from the perspective of patients, their families and clinicians.

Not only did the open house showcase the center's new home, but it also provided an opportunity for the center's new leadership to be introduced to the more than 250 attendees. The center's executive director, Susan Edgman-Levitan, brings more than 10 years of experience as a national leader in the quality and safety movement to improve the delivery of health care by incorporating the patient's point of view. As the new medical director of the center, Michael J. Barry, MD, brings a distinguished record of clinical research and patient care as he combines this position with his responsibilities as chief of the MGH General Medicine Unit and director of the MGH Health Services Research Program. And William Kormos, MD, a former Stoeckle Center fellow, will lead the center's educational programs and outreach activities as the center's director of Education.

The leadership team has been working closely with Stoeckle, the center's advisory committee, and John Goodson, MD, of MGH Internal Medicine and secretary of the advisory committee, to chart a course for the center.

Stoeckle Center staff and advisory committee members

As a part of the center's new direction in the area of clinician education, a seminar series was launched in January. Sponsored by the center with financial support from Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Green, the seminars are videoconferenced to the MGH primary care community every other month. The first topic focused on various resources for patient education. The next seminar, which will be held March 26, will feature tips on improving difficult interactions with patients and families. To encourage participation, the seminars are held from 7:30 to 9 am, and breakfast is provided for all participating practices. Free videoconferencing is available to any interested practice.

One of the major innovations the center is embarking on in 2004 is the creation of an "Ambulatory Care of the Future" practice. Working with the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization and the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology, the center will work with patients and clinicians to identify the key components of an ideal primary care experience and then will build a real office practice that incorporates those components.

For more information about the Stoeckle Center and its programs, call (617) 724-8824 or send e-mail to Pat Gavin at mgavin@partners.org.