San Bernardino County last month entered into a contract with Dr. Ryan Zane to serve as a specialty services public health physician for the next three years, devoted primarily to looking after indigent AIDS and hepatitis patients.
According to Trudy Raymundo, the director of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, “Under the terms of the employment contract, Dr. Zane will provide specialty physician services at Department of Public Health federally qualified health centers at least three days per week. Dr. Zane is a specialty provider credentialed through the Inland Empire Health Plan for HIV [human immunodeficiency virus] and hepatitis C patients. In addition, he will provide these specialty services to jail patients at the day reporting center.”
Zane is to receive total annual compensation of $271,628, consisting of $192,608 in salary and $79,020 in benefits, for the period of June 9, 2018 through June 8, 2021.
The Department of Public Health contracts with physicians in multiple clinical areas, such as tuberculosis treatment, HIV prevention and care, primary care and reproductive health services. Physicians provide direct medical care to patients, and serve as subject matter experts in their areas of expertise. Physician support services include supervision and clinical oversight of mid-level practitioners – consisting of nurse practitioners and/or physician assistants – assisting in the development of policies and procedures, helping to establish productivity standards, and assisting the Department of Public Health with the development of long-term strategic plans.
According to Raymundo, “Contracts with physicians are necessary, as the work required by Department of Public Health programs may be part-time in nature and requires specific expertise in public health related fields.”