From Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine:

Faculty Named Kaiser Permanente Family Physicians of the Year

Drs. Caivano, Gavin-Headen, and McDonald honored for exceptionalism in Family Medicine

September 09, 2022

Three Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) faculty members are recipients of the Kaiser Permanente Family Physicians of the Year award. Resa Caivano, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Health Systems Science, Vanessa Gavin-Headen, MD, MPH, Clinical Instructor of Clinical Science, and Alex McDonald, MD, CAQSM, FAAFP, Instructor of Clinical Science, were each presented with the distinguished honor during an August 19 celebration at the Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach as part of the 47th Annual Irving M. Rasgon, MD, Family Medicine Hybrid Symposium.

Each Kaiser Permanente Family Physician of the Year is nominated and selected by peers. The award recognizes a family physician from each of Kaiser Permanente’s 12 service regions and spotlights those whose contributions to their respective departments have been exemplary. This year, John Brian Bronson, MD, Regional Chief of Family Medicine for Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) served as Master of Ceremonies at the event, and a chief or assistant chief from each of Kaiser Permanente’s 12 regions presented each honoree with their award.

Dr. Resa Caivano was honored with the West Los Angeles Family Physician of the Year award.

“I definitely do not do any of the things that I do for recognition, but it's definitely very nice to have the recognition and to know that your colleagues respect the work that you do and appreciate you for it,” said Dr. Caivano, who was named West Los Angeles Family Physician of the Year. I really appreciate that my SCPMG colleagues in the clinical realm support the work that I'm doing, not only in the clinical realm, but they also allow me to be able to do the work that I do in the medical school.” Dr. Caivano added that her colleagues see the value in her work, “so it really is a team effort.”

Dr. Caivano has been with Kaiser Permanente for eight years, working as a physician, in government relations, and as a KPSOM faculty member during a portion of that tenure. She appreciated the ability to have the type of practice she wants to have and to share this work with students. “That's just such a great opportunity. One of the things that I enjoy most is being able to have that balance of practice, and my colleagues in the clinical realm support this work.”

Dr. Vanessa Gavin-Headen was presented the South Bay Family Physician of the Year award by Dr. Brandon Sievers, Kaiser Permanente Assistant Chief of Family Medicine at South Bay.

Dr. Brandon Sievers, Kaiser Permanente Assistant Chief of Family Medicine at South Bay Medical Center, presented Dr. Gavin-Headen with the South Bay Family Physician of the Year award. Dr. Gavin-Headen said she is especially proud of this distinction because her coworkers recognized her work.

“I have had patients tell me for years how much they appreciate me and now my coworkers are saying it,” said Dr. Gavin-Headen. “I don’t do what I do for recognition, but it does feel nice to be appreciated.”

“This award was not just for work I have done at SCPMG, it is also for my community work,” added Dr. Gavin-Headen. “Our responsibility as physicians does not stop when we leave work. Being able to share knowledge with others to improve their health is the reason I entered this profession. I have had many opportunities to speak about hypertension, diabetes, stress, and cancer over the years. The latest health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, challenged us all. When I had the chance to participate in community webinars to discuss the virus, vaccines, and the myths people have, it was a little uncomfortable. The information changed so fast. I am glad I was able to help. Many times in our life, we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That is how we grow.”

Dr. John Brian Bronson presented Dr. Alex McDonald the San Bernadino Family Physician of the Year award.

Dr. McDonald, who accepted the San Bernadino Family Physician of the Year award, shared similar sentiments.

“To be honored by my peers in this way is very humbling and means so much to me,” Dr. McDonald said. “I am passionate about leading by example and advocating for robust and comprehensive family medicine as the foundation of any high-functioning healthcare system. Family physicians have the tools and training to adapt and meet the health needs of almost any community or health care setting with a focus on prevention and supporting and improving health, not simply treating disease.”

Because three KPSOM faculty members received the Physicians of the Year award, Dr. Caivano added that this “speaks to the caliber of faculty that we have.” Similarly, Lori Carter-Edwards, PhD, MPH, KPSOM Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, added that “this award validates their excellence in quality of care and compassion as core values.”

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Faculty Named Kaiser Permanente Family Physicians of the Year

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