Amy Tong, Secretary of California Government Operations (pictured in the middle) was a special guest at the Center for Integrative Medicine celebration and shared her appreciation and support with Maureen Smith, senior director of philanthropy for Sutter Health in the East Bay, (far left), Brad Goodson, CEO, Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, (second from the right) and Dr. Amy Matecki, (far right) director of the hospital’s integrative medicine program.
Cancer Survivors Advocate for Advancing Integrative Medicine
By Clayton Warren, Vitals contributor
The Center for Integrative Medicine at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center held an event highlighting its commitment to whole-person health that integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture into both inpatient and outpatient settings. In partnership with Alta Bates’ philanthropy team, former patients, staff members and distinguished guests gathered at the Summit Campus in Oakland for an interactive journey into integrative medicine that included tours, demonstrations and inspirational testimonials.
Dr. Amy Matecki (left) was presented with a proclamation from Pengfei Gao, Counselor of the SF Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China.
Under the leadership of Dr. Amy Matecki, the Center of Integrative Medicine has integrated the best of Eastern and Western medicine and stands as a beacon of healing, combining research, education and compassionate patient care.
“Our unique approach blends conventional medicine with evidence-based complementary therapies to ensure our patients receive the most holistic care possible,” says Dr. Matecki. “Our mission transcends diagnosing diseases. We nurture overall well-being so that our patients can receive personalized treatments when and where they need them most.”
The integrative medicine team uses a “whole person” approach that ensures treatments address physical, psychological, social and spiritual health, enhancing the effectiveness of conventional medical treatments.
“It’s truly remarkable to walk through our hospital and outpatient clinics and see integrative medicine in action,” says Brad Goodson, CEO of Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. “Patients are receiving acupuncture for pain relief in the emergency room, new mothers being supported in their postpartum recovery in our labor and delivery department, and patients in our acute rehab department are benefiting from these therapies. We’re also proud to see this work happening side by side with our Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Program, bringing comprehensive, whole-person care to every corner of our hospital.”
Special guest Amy Tong, secretary of California Government Operations shared her appreciation and support for ABSMC’s integrative medicine program and offered a personal reflection about her mother’s cancer battle. Pengfei Gao, counselor of the consulate general of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, delivered a heartfelt thank you that also included an official proclamation and gift that was received by Dr. Matecki and Goodson.
Transforming Lives Through Research, Education and Patient Care
In addition to ensuring that local patients have access to essential complementary therapies, Alta Bates’ Center for Integrative Medicine enhances the overall field by conducting groundbreaking research and by offering training for the expert providers of the future.
In 2023, Alta Bates was the first Sutter hospital to launch a Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical training program for practicing acupuncturists and allopathic resident physicians. This program provides hands-on experience to learn effective pain management techniques in various areas, including acute care settings: the emergency department, intensive care unit, palliative care, stroke rehabilitation, birthing center, and the Comprehensive Cancer Center’s radiation oncology and infusion clinics.
“We are educating and training the next generation of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners through onsite programs—ensuring these vital services become more accessible to our entire community,” added Goodson. “This isn’t just about adding services; it’s about reimagining how we care for people—treating mind, body, and spirit.”
Cancer Survivors Advocate for Advancing Integrative Medicine
Bonnie Bouey, a long-time cancer survivor shared her personal journey of how she beat the odds of succumbing to stage 4 metastatic cancer with the support of her multidisciplinary clinical team and integrative medicine treatment that she received at Alta Bates. Bouey and other guests in attendance credited the integrative medicine team for making a world of difference during their cancer treatment and recoveries.
“Looking through the lens of a long-time cancer researcher, I firmly believe that the Center for Integrative Medicine is a critical resource, which holds out the promise of a definitive impact on the long-term survival of cancer patients,” said Shanaz Dairkee, senior scientist of cancer research at Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center. “I am myself at a loss for words to describe the amazing difference Dr. Matecki’s holistic approaches have made in my recovery from breast cancer, particularly in alleviating the pain associated with the disease, often accompanied with its current mainstream treatments as well.”
Congratulations to Dr. Amy Matecki and the entire Integrative Medicine team for supporting our East Bay patients for 20 years and championing a future where comprehensive, compassionate healthcare is accessible to all.
Help Advance Integrative Medicine
For those interested in making a gift to support the Center for Integrative Medicine’s mission to deliver life-changing patient care, advance groundbreaking research, and train the next generation of integrative medicine practitioners, please consider donating to the Center for Integrative Medicine Fund. To make a contribution, visit Give Today! or contact maureen.smith@sutterhealth.org
