Sutter Health-Affiliated Ombuds Resource
Confidential, impartial support for navigating workplace concerns and conflict. A trusted place to talk through challenges, explore options, and find constructive ways forward.
We currently serve all:
- Sutter Medical Group Affiliated Physicians and APCs
- GME Trainees and Attendings
- SRMC Medical Staff
We do not serve patients. If you are a patient with a concern, please contact your healthcare team or Patient Relations at 1-888-850-4598.
Meet Your Ombuds
Jason Karim-Baker
Ombuds Team Member
Jason is an experienced mediator, facilitator, and organizational ombuds who has supported thousands of employees and leaders across healthcare, higher education, and federal agencies. He brings a compassionate, practical approach to helping people navigate conflict, strengthen relationships, and move forward productively.
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Maureen Brodie
Ombuds Team Member
Maureen is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner with deep experience supporting healthcare environments and complex workplace dynamics. She helps individuals and teams address challenges constructively while fostering respect, fairness, and inclusion across organizations.
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Misty Loetterle
Ombuds Team Member
Misty is an organizational ombuds, executive coach, and conflict resolution specialist with over 20 years of experience supporting leaders and teams in healthcare and global organizations. She brings a collaborative, solutions-focused approach to navigating complex workplace challenges.
View full profile →How the Ombuds Resource Can Help
How We Can Help
- Listen and provide a confidential space to talk
- Help you clarify concerns and explore options
- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations
- Identify helpful resources and next steps
- Surface patterns and concerns anonymously to leadership
What We Do Not Do
- Conduct formal investigations
- Make decisions or enforce outcomes
- Advocate for any one person or Sutter Health
- Replace Human Resources or legal processes
- Receive official notice for the organization
- Keep records that identify you
Ways We Can Support You
In addition to one-on-one support, the ombuds offers a range of services to help individuals and teams navigate conflict and work more effectively.
One-on-One Conversations
A confidential space to talk through concerns, clarify options, and prepare for next steps.
Facilitated Conversations
Support for constructive, forward-looking conversations between individuals.
Team and Group Support
Facilitation and support for teams working through challenges, communication issues, or conflict.
Workshops and Training
Practical sessions on communication, feedback, conflict management, and workplace skills.
Organizational Insight
Identifying patterns and trends to inform improvements in systems, practices, and workplace culture.
What Makes Us Different
The ombuds operates according to four core principles that help create a safe, fair, and trusted experience.
Confidential
The ombuds will not share what you discuss, or even that you met, without your permission, except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm.
Impartial
The ombuds does not take sides for any individual or Sutter Health.
Informal
The ombuds is an off-the-record resource and does not participate in formal processes.
Independent
The ombuds is a third-party resource operating outside of management structures and is not a part of formal reporting channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ombuds Resource?
The Ombuds Resource provides an independent, confidential, impartial, and informal place to discuss workplace concerns, explore options, and think through next steps.
Who can use the Ombuds Resource?
All Sutter Health-affiliated Medical Group physicians, APCs, GME attendings and trainees, and SRMC medical staff may use this confidential resource. The ombuds typically respond within one business day.
Does contacting the ombuds give formal notice?
No. The Ombuds Resource is informal and confidential. Speaking with the ombuds does not place the organization on formal notice or start a formal process.
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More Questions
What does an ombuds do?
The ombuds listens, helps you think through options, prepares you for difficult conversations, and provides guidance on available resources. They do not investigate or make decisions.
What types of concerns can the ombuds help with?
Examples include interpersonal conflict, communication challenges, ethical or policy questions, difficult conversations, leadership or team dynamics, and navigating workplace concerns.
Will my visit cause change at Sutter Health?
The ombuds helps individuals explore options. Aggregated, anonymized trends may be shared with leadership to improve the work environment, but the ombuds cannot mandate action.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Confidentiality may be limited if there is an imminent risk of serious harm or suspected abuse. Otherwise, no identifying information is shared without permission.
Can I choose my ombuds?
Yes. You may choose the ombuds team member you prefer to work with.
How do I prepare for a meeting?
No preparation is needed. Come ready to share your concerns and goals for the conversation.
Still have a question? Contact the ombuds team.
Connect with an Ombuds Team Member
Whether you have a question, want to think through a situation, or need help preparing for a conversation, the ombuds team is here to support you.
What People Are Saying
Feedback from individuals who have worked with an ombuds.
“Excellent listener, non-judgmental, gave level-headed advice and helped me process a difficult situation.”
“How responsive and how quickly they were available.”
“I found my experience with the ombuds resource to be incredibly valuable. My ombuds person was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. They were able to help me work through and process my concerns. I could better organize, articulate and understand my own concerns, as well as feel less emotionally triggered by my grievances. They were able to help me find a way to get my concerns addressed by the organization while not burning bridges.”
Contact us
Contact an Ombuds Team Member
Submit a confidential request to connect with an ombuds. A member of the ombuds team will respond within one business day.
Your submission is confidential.
Standards and Governance
The ombuds resource operates under a charter approved by leadership and follows the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. View the charter →