Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Book Appointment
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Book Appointment
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Patient Stories
  • Athletic Passion Patient Care
Content

PATIENT STORIES Athletic Passion Patient Care

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation

At 6-feet, 3-inches tall with a naturally athletic build, SEBMF family medicine doctor Pasha Jackson, M.D., still looks like the linebacker who played for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2003 Rose Bowl and 2004 Sugar Bowl.

Humanity can happen in the exam room by caring for your patient.
Football sitting on football field

“Linebacker is a versatile position,’’ Dr. Jackson says. “It’s a thinking position, calling the plays and working with the defense, and you have to be large enough, fit enough and fast enough. I was energetic, and it spoke to me at the time.”

Profile photograph of Doctor Pasha JacksonWhile Dr. Jackson remains passionate about football, his main mission since joining the Sutter East Bay Medical Group last fall is caring for patients and collaborating with colleagues at SEBMF’s Richmond Care Center. “I’m happy to be here,” he says. “I had other options, but I saw that the need was greatest in this area. Primary care has been lacking, and I feel like a lot of good can be done here.” Also aiming to do good outside of the clinic, he intends to mentor or coach youth athletes in the community.

Dr. Jackson first fell in love with football in high school, as the game helped him connect with adult mentors and other teens. Born in Chicago, he was raised by a single father who moved the family from city to city as he worked different jobs, eventually landing in the Bay Area. “Football was a guarantee to be with a group of guys who could be a community,” Dr. Jackson says. “I like the connection you get. Also, I am a driven person, and football gave me real challenges to face and let me go beyond what I thought were limitations.”

Though he pursued science classes at the University of Oklahoma, football was his top priority. After college, Dr. Jackson signed with the San Francisco 49ers. But due to various injuries and the changing nature of National Football League contracts, he signed with a succession of teams during his years in the NFL. Then while playing professionally in Amsterdam in 2005, he tore a pectoral muscle.

As he recovered, Dr. Jackson decided it was time for a “complete departure from football,” he says. “For me, that was medicine.”

Dr. Jackson enrolled in the Spanish emersion program at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) in Havana. Part of the Cuban healthcare system, the international school was founded to educate physicians who grew up in poor communities and would commit to practicing in medically underserved areas.

Although studying medicine in a new language was daunting, Dr. Jackson really valued the experience. He loved the ELAM’s internationalism and hands-on approach, which lets students observe and assist physicians at any hospital in Cuba.

Plus, he picked up critical skills and philosophies that he practices today. “ELAM stresses humanity, and that’s what I hope I bring to Sutter,” Dr. Jackson says. “Humanity can happen in the exam room by caring for your patient, which means listening to them, looking away from the computer and taking time to read between the lines.”

Related Stories

It's in our DNA to help

When Bob and Mel began to put together their estate in 2017, they knew they had to continue their legacy of giving to the hospital they know and love.

Philanthropy-Funded Telestroke Averts Tragedy

While it’s still a journey to full recovery, Arthur credits Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s initial response for saving his life.

Excellence in Respiratory Care Clinics

Respiratory Care Clinics (RCC) are created at PAMF to handle COVID-19 cases while keeping patients and staff safe.

Riding to Recovery

Patti considers riding her horse, Dante, lifesaving therapy.

Palo Alto Outpatient Palliative Care Expands Across Sutter Health

Outpatient Palliative Care celebrates 10 years at PAMF, extends to Northern Alameda County.

See all Donor Stories

Disclaimer

Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice.

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Book Appointment
  • Request Medical Records
  • Donate Now
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News and Media

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences