“Kaiser Permanente is a great organization because it practices preventive care using a total health model. We’re one of the largest healthcare systems in the country yet we have a local feel here in our Gilroy healthcare facility. In my role as Site Director, leadership requires more listening than talking. I’ve learned to surround myself with smart people and let them do what they do best, which is to provide quality care and service to our members.”
Chris’s career with Kaiser Permanente began in 1999 when he worked as a Physical Therapist. In the early to mid 2000’s, he fulfilled the roles of Physical Therapy Supervisor, Interim Manager, and Ergonomics Consultant to help ensure staff provided high- quality, accessible and cost-effective care. He also provided ergonomic training and worksite assessments. In 2008, he served as Service Unit Manager and Clinical Department Director in Southern Alameda. He also initiated a five-year effort as Flu Clinic Coordinator, planning and managing the facility flu clinic as part of a larger flu program that vaccinates over 50,000 Kaiser Permanente members annually. 32 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN As a guest lecturer at Samuel Merritt University (2009- 2014), Chris instructed doctoral students in the basic ergonomic assessment of office workspaces and intervention using physical therapy principles. After that he became Director of Clinical Services at the Gilroy Medical Offices, and that led him to his current job as Site Director. Chris partners with the Physician-in- Charge to oversee daily operations in the 62,000 square foot Gilroy facility, which employs approximately 190 people, including 40 physicians. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from UC Santa Barbara and a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Samuel Merritt University. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 gmhtoday.com