Dr Hara Connects Residents With Community Clinics.

The Permanente Journal/ Summer 2004/ Volume 8 No. 3 Jimmy Hara, MD, FAAFP, long noted for his contributions on behalf of community health in the Los Angeles area, is taking a three-month sabbatical. While some take sabbaticals for rest and retreat, Dr Hara will be using his to increase linkages between community clinics and Kaiser Permanente (KP) Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residency Programs in collaboration with the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. Dr Hara, Director of the Family Practice Residency Program, KP Los Angeles Medical Center, and Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) Regional Director of GME, has been honored as the first recipient of the new David M Lawrence, MD, Community Service Sabbatical Award. The award includes a fully paid leave for up to three months plus a $10,000 contribution to the community-based, nonprofit organization where the recipient spends the sabbatical—in this case, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. The award aims to document and highlight the significant accomplishments and learnings that Dr Hara has generated over the years so that KP can continue to build on community partnerships that are vital to its mission. Awarded by the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Board of Directors and named for former Chairman and CEO David M Lawrence, MD, the sabbatical was created to acknowledge a KP physician or employee who has made an outstanding contribution to the health of a specific KP community. Dr Hara has volunteered at the Venice Family Clinic, the largest independent free clinic in the nation, for over 30 years. He has also served as a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors of the Venice Free Clinic for over 20 years, kp in the community