It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. David Druker, chief executive officer of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Druker, passed away on July 23, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. He was 68. Dr. Druker was a beloved colleague, friend, husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.
Throughout his almost three-year battle with lung cancer, he demonstrated great personal strength, perseverance, courage and selflessness. His influence was felt far outside the sphere of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Through his intelligence and passion, he improved the way that care was delivered throughout our region and country, through many national leadership roles. He nurtured open and productive relationships in the communities served by PAMF. He had a particular passion for children and education, and fostered longstanding partnerships with schools.
“David was a healer, a teacher, a visionary, and a mentor to all of us,” said Jeff Gerard, president of the Sutter Health Peninsula Coastal Region, of which PAMF is a part. “He had an ability to engage the people’s hearts and minds around a singular purpose of creating the very best medical care possible for the community. From the beginning, he promoted a culture of innovation, often being an early adopter of new technologies or creating new ways of delivering patient-centered care.”
Biographical Information
Prior to becoming CEO of PAMF in 1999, Dr. Druker served as chief operating officer of the PAMF from 1994 to 1999, and served as the regional executive officer of the Sutter Health Peninsula Coastal Region, which includes all of the Sutter Health hospitals and physician groups in San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County. He was a member of the Sutter System Management Team, which sets overall policy for Sutter Health. Dr. Druker served as the Executive Director of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic from 1989 to 1995 and was a member of the Executive Board of the Clinic from 1979 to 1995.
Dr. Druker was a board-certified dermatologist, having completed his residency at the University of Oregon School of Medicine in 1975. He received his undergraduate degree in economics at Harvard College, his M.D. from the University of Iowa College of Medicine, and completed an internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, followed by his dermatology residency. Following a year of private practice in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Druker and his family moved to Palo Alto, California, where he assumed a position in the Department of Dermatology at the Palo Alto Medical Clinic. He also served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Druker served as Chairman of the American Medical Group Association and prior to that was a Trustee of the American Group Practice Association and a member of the Board of the Unified Medical Group Association. He served as Chairman of the California Medical Group Association, and was a member of the Executive Committee of the California Association of Physician Groups (CAPG). He served as a Trustee of the California Medical Association, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of the American College of Physician Executives. He was a member of the Santa Clara County Medical Society, the California Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He also authored numerous papers both on subjects related to dermatology and subjects related to physician leadership.
In an interview shortly after he was named executive director of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic in 1989, he described his life as “one big accident. So much of what happens to us is the result of good luck and timing. I’ve been blessed with a lot of both.”
Dr. Druker lived in Los Altos Hills, California. He is survived by his wife Karen, two grown children, Daniel and Ellie, five grandchildren, and two sisters, Hannah and Leah.
Dr. Druker’s family has requested that philanthropic donations in his memory be made to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, 795 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I really enjoyed his bright smile everytime he came over for us to have meeting at San Aleso and he was a very down to earth person and will be missed dearly.
Having worked at PAMF for over 10 years, I believe that we have some of the greatest employees around who know how to care for patients and firmly believe Dr. Druker’s leadership was the biggest reason for attracting the best people in health care to PAMF, making it one of the most innovative medical groups in the country. I will miss him and I want to send peace to his family during their time of mourning.
David’s leadership and the legacy he leaves is a gift to thousands of people. He was a great friend and inspiration that will continue to influence the way people live their lives and receive health care. I send thanks and deep condolences to his family and colleagues.
It has been a privilege working at PAMF under Dr. Druker’s direction. His style of leadership is exemplary. His vision, compassion and sincerity are unparalleled. I join with countless others who will miss his continued involvement at the Clinic but his impact is immeasurable and will continue on. What a wonderful legacy!
What a nice man. I’m sad to learn that he is no longer with us.
David was a wonderful physician, leader and human being. I worked with him in my capacity as Chair of the Sequoia Hospital Board of Directors and he was always gracious, honest, fun and clever.
I will miss him as I’m sure those who knew him will as well.
My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
He saved my boyfriend’s life – back in the early 1980′s, when he diagnosed his melanoma. So, I am very grateful.
We have been patients of PAMF since the mid 80;s. I first met Dr Druker when he treated my basil cell issue. Although he later became CEO, we were always able to reach him for assistance at the Clinic. We will greatly miss his compassion and caring manner. Although I last spoke to him last year, he never let us know anything about his cancer. He wanted to know how we were doing. We send our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. God bless David.
Dr Druker was my dermatologist back in the 80′s. I remember him with fondness and was sad to hear of his passing. He was a great guy and a fantastic doctor. In the course of his treatment of me, there was an accident which gave him cause to worry. He handled it with a gentleness that left me with this lasting fondness after all these years.