Through the Kaiser Permanente Institute for Health Policy, we help shape national health care policies and practices. We draw on expert knowledge from a variety of backgrounds— physicians and other health care providers, clinical and health services researchers, public health professionals, economists, policy analysts, and communications experts. We also collaborate with foundations, policy institutes, federal and state policymakers, and international experts.

Working together, we explore solutions to problems of health care delivery and access, and look for new ways to move research findings from the laboratory into the hospital, the clinic, or the community.

In 2009, the Institute began to look systematically to other countries for payment mechanisms, regulatory tools, governance models, and other health policy options that may eventually help shape U.S. health reform policy and its implementation.

The institute shares its work through kpihp.org and journal articles, books, and policy briefs.

In Washington, D.C., CommonHealth ACTION, a nonprofit public health organization, has been a vocal leader in addressing the social determinants of health. Now, with a $500,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente and funding from other organizations, CommonHealth ACTION has launched the Institute for Public Health Innovation. The Institute will bring together organizations, agencies, and groups from both public and private sectors involved in a wide range of activities—housing, nutrition, environmental protection, and more—to develop innovative strategies that improve the health of the public.

Around the world, leading practitioners and policymakers want to learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s approach to integrated total health care. Responding to this demand, we created KP International.  For a fee that offsets our costs, we make our people, experience, and knowledge available.

In 2009, our activities included:

• Six KP International programs conducted for 150 health leaders from more than 20 countries.
• Intensive seminars on Kaiser Permanente for health providers and officials in Portugal, Spain, and Brazil.
• Almost 50 tours of Kaiser Permanente facilities for international groups of health professionals from 30 countries.

Last year, we invested more than $81 million to educate health care professionals across our regions.

Last year, we invested more than $81 million to educate our health care professionals. In all, we trained more than 8,500 interns, medical students, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals. We even gave college scholarships to 100 high school seniors who are pursuing careers in health care.

• Interns and medical students trained
  For more than 60 years, Kaiser Permanente has trained interns and medical students. In 2009, we trained more than 2,700.

• Nurse practitioner and non-MD staff trained
  In 2009, we provided onsite training opportunities to more than 5,700 nurses, radiology and sonography technicians, and other allied health care professionals.

• Pharmacy postgraduate residency program in California
  There is a serious national pharmacist shortage, including a greater shortage of pharmacists trained and qualified to manage high-risk drug therapies for high-risk patients. In 2009, Kaiser Permanente supported 50 nationally accredited pharmacist postgraduate residency students.

• College Scholarships for Future Health Care Professionals
  In our Northwest Region, we awarded 100 scholarships to high school students who will pursue careers in medical or dental care. Many of these deserving students will be the first member of their family to attend college. We put a special emphasis on students who showed a definite financial need, who are members of an ethnic or racial group underrepresented in a health care profession, and who speak English plus a second language.