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Dr. Polk's administrative leadership and medical background has assisted Saint Alphonsus to streamline operations and implement programs that have enhanced overall patient care. He has led the oversight and coordinated hospital preparations for the last three JCAHO surveys, resulting in accreditation. He led the creation of the hospital's Patient Safety program with the integration of that program with risk management, performance improvement, and the safety of the environment of care. Dr.Polk currently provides oversight for medical staff services, the hospitalist program, case management, patient safety and medication safety, performance improvement, infection control, regulatory compliance and six sigma. He has had previous operations experience with Pharmacy, Emergency Department, Lifeflight, Radiology, Pathology and Laboratory services.
Prior to being named to his current position in Spring, 1998, Dr. Polk was in full-time practice in rheumatology at Boise Arthritis and Immunology Clinic and an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of Washington Department of Medicine.
Dr. Polk has many years of administrative service to the hospital, including serving as chairman of the Saint Alphonsus Department of Medicine from 1994-1996; president-elect of the hospital's medical staff in 1996 and medical director in 1997. Dr. Polk also served as the representative in rheumatology on the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee from 1994-1996 and was the representative for Idaho for the Committee on Rheumatologic Care for the American College of Rheumatology from 1993-1997.
Dr. Polk earned a bachelor's of science degree from Stanford University in biological sciences and a medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. | 