The Chinese-American Physicians Society (CAPS), with a membership of about 150 East Bay doctors, is making a big difference in programs geared to Alta Bates Summit’s many Asian patients.

With the support of a $40,000 CAPS grant in 2000, the Medical Center opened a health resource center at Summit Health Clinic in Oakland’s Chinatown (Pacific Renaissance Plaza). The center provides free, translated health educational materials for community residents.

In 2002, the society contributed $20,000 toward a Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Center antismoking program. “Smoking is a big, big problem in the Asian community,” says CAPS Executive Director David Der, M.D., a general surgeon at Alta Bates Summit. “Because of the language problem, antismoking campaigns aimed at the general public are not always effective in the Asian community.”

Arlene Swinderman, coordinator of the Asian Outreach Program, applauds the efforts. “CAPS has been very involved with our Medical Center,” she says. “Thanks to its generous gifts and dedication, we are able to reach the diverse community we serve.”