Date of Award

Winter 1-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

Organizations connected with the healthcare system at the local or regional levels serve a purpose for the public. As a consumer, the public has to rely on the operational and sustainability of executives or board members to make sure local hospitals are functioning to their potential capacities. California Pacific Medical Center, a Sutter Health affiliate, bought St. Luke’s hospital in 2007; organizations and groups such as The Physicians Organizing Committee (POC) continue to focus on maintaining the hospital’s provision of basic medical care to its residents of the Mission District that are primarily middle to lower class.

This examination takes a look at the effectiveness of the POC and its campaign efforts towards St. Luke’s sustainability as a hospital undergoing a decrease in services and facing the possibility of shutting the hospital down. Secondly, the study aims to take a closer look at the POC from a position of a participant observer through a qualitative case study.

The purpose for examining the POC internally as a participant observer is to allow for a closer experience to gather more data. The potential benefits of an external approach to an actual participant and volunteer of the organization also include an understanding of the methodologies used by the organization and the approaches that are practiced by its members. The study will provide an in-depth examination of the operational work of the organization and how this aids or hinders its social-political campaigns.

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