Address:
San Francisco, California
Type Of Business:
Federally-Qualified Community Healthcare Center
Expertise:
Dr. Sacchetti's expertise is in pediatrics, quality control and the medical management of preventive care, acute and chronic care for all life cycles including prenatal, pediatrics, teen, adult, elders and specialized populations including patients with HIV and homeless patients.
Major Product/SVS:
Healthcare
Favorite Business Publication:
Medscape, PREP; Pediatric Audio Digest
Hobbies/Sports:
Kayaking, Skiing, Hiking
Education Degrees:
Residency, University of California, San Francisco, CA (1968-1969); Moffitt Hospital, San Francisco, CA (1968-1969); East Bay Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA (1968-1969); Rotating Internship, St. Luke's Hospital, San Francisco, CA (1964-1965); MD, University of Michigan Medical School (1964); Bachelor of Arts, University of Michigan (1957); Coursework, Fordham Graduate School of Economics, New York (1957); Pediatric First Year Resident, Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
Affiliations Awards:
Phi Beta Kappa (1957); Phi Kappa Phi (1953); San Francisco Medical Society; Founding Member, Western Clinicians Network; San Francisco Health Plan; Quality Improvement Committee, Physicians Advisory Committee, National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.; California Primary Care Association; California Medical Association; American Medical Association
Place of Birth:
Iron Mountain, Michigan
Industry:
Community-Based Healthcare
Date of Distinction:
3/14/2008
Work History:
Medical Director, Mission Neighborhood Health Center (1974-Present); Private Practice (1973-1974); Staff Pediatrician, Mission Neighborhood Health Center (1970-1973); Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Richmond (1969-1970); General Medicine, Letterman Hospital Outpatient (1967)
Career Achievements:
Phi Beta Kappa, University of Michigan; Summa Cum Laude in Economics, University of Michigan; Community Physician Award, Kaiser Permanente
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
My ability to surround myself with bright innovative persons who have the same goals in life that I do. I live by the golden rule and in this way treat all people with dignity and I am able to inspire them to do their best. I lead by example and do not expect more of anyone than do of myself. I do not compromise my medical standards and expect the same of others while still maintaining a good sense of humor and an ability to flow with the multiple ups and downs of running a community health center.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Without a doubt my greatest achievement has been my ability to remain as Medical Director of a federally qualified community health center for 37 years. Life at a federally qualified community health center is very difficult and their professional tenure of most medical directors is usually very brief. During my stay, we have brought our health center from an unknown entity to one of the most respected medical federally qualified community health centers with excellent renowned outcomes in the city and in the nation. The quality of our care is unsurpassed. Some of our achievements are: a childhood immunization rate of over 90% ( one year achieved the highest rate of 96% ), we were the first health center to initiate lead screening for children in San Francisco; and we have the highest rate in the nation of blood pressure control in diabetics. We have a 4.5% low birth weight in our comprehensive perinatal program and a national model HIV program which has been named a Center of Excellence by the federal government. One of the other things that give me great satisfaction is the mentoring of young physicians and seeing them become successful as leaders in their health careers, both as primary clinicians, administrators and health policy innovators. Additionally another area of great satisfaction is hearing from patients about the impact I have made on their lives.
Expanded Biography:
I began my higher education as an economist doing price theory research for Gardner Ackley, the Chief of economic advisors to John F. Kennedy when I was inspired by my roommate who was an internal medicine resident. Her work seemed so much more meaningful. I changed careers and have never regretted it. After completing my Pediatric residency at University of California, San Francisco; I discovered Mission Neighborhood Health Center and I fell in love with the population being served and was captivated by the multidisciplinary team model which employed many allied professionals and peer educators. All of these professionals had the same devotion and dedication to the patient population that I had. In 1974 I was elevated to the administrative position of Medical Director. In this role I had the honor to work with some of the most talented and innovative professionals in the health care industry. This combined synergy has resulted in innovative changes such as spearheading the attack on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. MNHC’s medical leadership became a first responder with one of the first comprehensive HIV/AIDS care center in a community setting. Our service expansion now also includes another first – a large outpatient care center for the street homeless. While still concentrating on primary care, we have developed other innovations such as a “centering model” for pregnant patients and a chronic care model for diabetic and cardiovascular patients.
In addition to a provider of care we also have a reputation as an outstanding mentoring center for both physicians and non-professional employees, and have been responsible for encouraging and serving as models to young patients to enter the health care or related industries. I and many of our professional staff can relate numerous episodes of young patients meeting us on the streets or contacting us to relate how MNHC has positively influenced their lives.
Highlight of career?:
The most gratifying aspects of her career are serving the uninsured and under-insured as well as mentoring physicians and other talented and dedicated employees.
Charity:
Food for the Poor; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; Doctors Without Borders; Women's Breast Cancer Research
Number Of Years In Profession:
44
Number Of Years In Current Position:
35
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her passion for providing quality medical care.
How Did They Get Involved In Profession:
She became involved in her profession because she was inspired by her roommate who was a resident in internal medicine.
Day to Day Responsibilities:
Overseeing Clinical Operations
Awards/Honors:
High Honors, Economics (1957); Summa Cum Laude (1957)