March 15, 2007
PAMF Physician Sets Aside Stethoscope to be 'Principal for the Day'
Dr. Bill Black Spends Day at Central Middle School
Dr. Bill Black, an internal medicine physician and medical director for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) San Mateo County health care centers, traded the exam room for homeroom on Wednesday when he acted as "Principal for the Day" at Central Middle School in San Carlos.
The Principal for the Day Program, which is sponsored by the San Mateo County Office of Education, began more than 10 years ago to help schools build relationships with organizations and individuals outside of education. Last month, Central Middle School Principal Lynette Hovland extended an invitation to Dr. Black to participate.
"I believe that anytime the students are exposed to adults from the community, they have a chance to learn from them and gain tremendous benefits," said Principal Hovland. "Plus, it's always nice for us to be able to 'show off' our great school, teachers and students."
While acting as principal, Dr. Black spoke with students from two Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes about occupations - both traditional and non-traditional - in the health care field. AVID classes are designed to allow students opportunities to explore career and college opportunities.
"The many professions within health care are such personally fulfilling and rewarding ways to contribute to society," said Dr. Black. "My own children just recently graduated from middle school, and I know that youngsters at that age are seriously contemplating what to do with their lives."
"I wanted to meet with these young people and give them a better sense of the tremendous diversity of opportunities in health care," Dr. Black added.
In addition to speaking to students, Dr. Black observed classes, supervised recess and met with a group of middle schools students who shared what life in middle school is like for students today.
"This is an impressively bright group of kids with diverse interests including academics, sports, and all their community has to offer, "said Dr. Black of his experience. "San Carlos is fortunate to have Principal Hovland and the teachers of Central Middle School. They are committed, dedicated, and creative professionals who make school an exciting and dynamic place. Just like all of San Carlos."
"I loved hearing the extraordinarily insightful questions from the youngsters about how to bring meaning and purpose into their lives and how to contribute to society and make the world a better place," he added.
Dr. Black received his M.D. degree from Stanford University School of Medicine and his Ph.D. degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He completed an internship and residency at the University of California, San Francisco and a post-doctoral fellowship in microbiology at Stanford. He is board certified in internal medicine and sees patients at PAMF's Redwood City Center.
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation for Health Care, Research and Education is a not-for-profit health care organization that is a pioneer in both multispecialty group practice of medicine and outpatient medicine. PAMF operates clinics in Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Los Altos, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City and Redwood Shores. PAMF is proposing to build a state-of-the-art medical center in San Carlos that will offer a full range of medical services in one location. To learn more about PAMF's San Carlos Center, visit www.pamf.org/sancarlos.
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