Physicians As Partners

Physician Society

About the MemorialCare Physician Society

In the fall of 1996, MemorialCare Medical Centers committed to create an organization. It was a bold idea, but one that would surely make an impact. And, to ensure our success, we stated from the very start that all efforts would be led and directed by physicians. To us, they are partners uniquely linked to our hospitals. They are also leaders in our pursuit of evidence-based, best practice medicine.

Along the way there were detractors who declared that quality would not have an impact in the marketplace. They said that physicians were too pre-occupied with the competing priorities of the marketplace to dedicate themselves to best practices.

Clearly, we have proved the skeptics wrong. MemorialCare Medical Centers and its 1,400-plus partnering physicians are dominant regional health care providers. Along with our physicians, we have received many accolades for quality, pursued innovation and achieved soaring market growth. Additionally, we provide our physician partners with tools, such as bi-annual physician performance reports, which give feedback to physicians on our mission of clinical excellence, innovation and the pursuit of quality.

What began nine years ago as an extraordinary alliance of doctors and hospitals is now a well-recognized model for physician-hospital relationships. Today, health care systems across the country are attempting to emulate the MemorialCare Physician Society.

We welcome like-minded physicians to help us continue our remarkable story. As we see it, not all health care is alike and not all physicians are MemorialCare physicians. They are truly a special brand of health care provider.

Physician Testimonials

Why did I choose MemorialCare Medical Centers and the MemorialCare Physician Society?

I care for breast cancer patients and can confidently state that Saddleback Memorial has one of the finest breast centers in the region. My patients get top-notch care, especially from the various departments inside the hospital like radiology, the medical floors and the emergency department. I truly believe the physicians who are part of MemorialCare are stellar. They are dedicated to giving patients the best care possible.

Ken Deck, MD, surgeon, Saddleback Memorial

Long Beach Memorial provides outstanding care -- in every medical discipline: the emergency department, Todd Cancer Institute, rehabilitation medicine and, where I work, The Memorial Heart Institute. In my experience, it’s impressive to see so many medical professionals come together for one reason – putting the nation’s best treatments into practice.

Rex Winters, MD, cardiologist, Long Beach Memorial

Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach is truly an outstanding facility. Our patients and families are cared for by an extremely talented team. They work to put the nation’s best treatments into practice. Our best practice approach results in many positive outcomes. Ultimately, it means more healthy children and brighter futures all around.


Mark Roberts, MD, Medical Director, Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach