The Sutter Health-Affiliated Medical Group Ombuds Resource
Independent. Impartial. Informal. Confidential.
If you experience any kind of workplace issue and you are not sure what to do or who to talk to, the ombuds team is here for you!
The Ombuds Resource currently serves physicians, APCs, and GME attendings and trainees. If you are a patient with a concern or complaint, please speak to a member of your healthcare team. You may also call Patient Relations at 1-888-850-4598.
We can help with any workplace issue, including:
|
|
In a confidential, off-the-record meeting, we will listen, explore different options for addressing your concerns, help you navigate relevant organizational resources, and coach you through how to effectively communicate your concerns to others should you choose to do so. We can also help facilitate informal discussions between two or more people when appropriate or work with groups experiencing conflict.
What is an ombuds? The term “ombuds” (pronounced “ahm–buhds”) comes from a Swedish term meaning “a person who has an ear to the people.” The ombuds team is an independent, impartial, informal, and confidential resource for Sutter Health physicians and APCs, as well as Sutter Health Graduate Medical Education attendings and trainees. The ombuds team has three ombuds (Jason Karim-Baker, Maureen Brodie and Misty Loetterle , see bios below) available to work with physicians, APCs, and GME attendings and trainees to effectively manage, address, and surface work-related issues. The ombuds team supplements and does not replace formal administrative channels.
Serving physicians, APCs, attendings, and trainees from the following groups:
- Gould Medical Group
- Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
- Sansum-Santa Barbara Medical Clinic
- Sutter East Bay Medical Group
- Sutter Medical Group
- Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods
- Sutter North Medical Group
- Sutter West Bay Medical Group
- Sutter Health Graduate Medical Education (attendings and trainees only)
FAQs:
For answers to frequently asked questions about the ombuds resource, please see this page: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
About the ombuds team:
Contact one of the ombuds below to discuss your concerns and explore options to move forward.
Jason Karim-Baker (jason-ombuds@mwi.org and 916-360-0583) has over 15 years of experience as a mediator, facilitator, trainer, and organizational ombuds in healthcare, higher education, and the federal government. He has supported thousands of employees and leaders through conflict coaching, mediation, and team interventions, helping them address challenges productively and strengthen resilience. Jason most recently served as the Lead Ombuds and Conflict Management Specialist with the U.S. Department of the Interior. He previously served as an Ombuds at UC Davis Health and the National Institutes of Health. Earlier in his career, he worked as a medical ethicist, guiding clinicians, patients, and families through complex conversations about care and values. Jason holds an M.A. in the History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine and is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP). He draws on his expertise to help professionals navigate high-stakes issues with clarity and compassion while fostering trust and collaboration. Schedule a time to talk with Jason by sending an email to jason-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 916-360-0583.
Maureen Brodie (maureen-ombuds@mwi.org and 530-902-7523) is an organizational ombuds with MWI. She has particular expertise in understanding the culture and addressing challenging dynamics in a healthcare environment, having worked at UC San Francisco for 14 years as an organizational ombuds. As a clinician-trained ombuds with a background in communication, Maureen has a unique perspective and appreciation for the increasing demands in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare delivery. She is an active member of the International Ombuds Association and a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP), adhering to the Standards of Practice in the field. While providing services in an impartial manner, Maureen is an advocate for respect, fairness, and inclusion for all members of an organization. Prior to her work at UC San Francisco, Maureen served as the Senior Mediator at UC Davis for 14 years, providing mediation training and services to campus and health system faculty, clinicians, trainees, and staff. Throughout her career as an ombuds, Maureen incorporates collaborative coaching and learning to normalize conflict with the goal to achieve productive, self-determined outcomes. Schedule a time to talk with Maureen by sending an email to maureen-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 530-902-7523.
Misty Loetterle (misty-ombuds@mwi.org and 415-793-7402) is an organizational ombuds, executive coach, organizational strategist, and conflict resolution specialist with more than two decades of experience supporting leaders and teams through high-stakes challenges across healthcare, higher education, and global organizations. As a Certified Organizational Ombuds with extensive experience in academic healthcare environments, she has provided services for faculty, staff, clinicians, trainees, and leaders. Her experience includes mediation, facilitation, training, and providing upward feedback. Her background includes leadership roles at the University of California, San Francisco, where she advised senior leaders on people strategy and organizational change while helping launch a new enterprise-wide department focused on equity and engagement. A Certified Executive, Career, Health and Wellness Coach and Certified Mediator, she has coached more than 300 leaders from 18 countries and delivered trainings on conflict management, communication, negotiation, and DEI. Misty holds an M.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Theater Arts Performance, and brings a creative, culturally attuned, and solutions-focused approach to helping individuals and organizations navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. Schedule a time to talk with Misty by sending an email to misty-ombuds@mwi.org or by calling 415-793-7402.
Contact
- Email: Email any member of ombuds at the email addresses provided here – jason-ombuds@mwi.org, maureen-ombuds@mwi.org or misty-ombuds@mwi.org.
- Please use email for scheduling only. Email and voicemail cannot be guaranteed to be confidential, so do not include any details about your questions, situation, or concerns. If you share the best way to reach you, an ombuds will follow up to schedule an appointment.
- Phone: Contact Jason at 916-360-0583, Maureen at 530-902-7523 or Misty at 415-793-7402 (direct and confidential phone and voicemail).
- Confidential web form: If you have a concern at work and would like to raise it in confidence, please feel free to fill out the web form below.
- If you would like to schedule an appointment with an ombuds team member, please include your preferred contact information and indicate which ombuds you would like to work with or whether you prefer to speak with the first available one. To share a concern anonymously, please do not include personally identifiable information. An anonymized summary of your comments may be shared with the organization unless you indicate otherwise on this form.
Any ombuds team member will get back to you within one business day.
Please note, we do not serve patients.