ZSFG Department of Medicine Newsletters

Main Story: Physician-scientists have a foot in two worlds: they conduct research inspired by unsolved problems facing their patients, then help translate lab discoveries back to the clinic. Their deep understanding of these different realms gives them unique perspectives on identifying important research questions and applying exciting lab discoveries to patient care. The ZSFG Department is fortunate to have a number of these highly talented faculty and a new research building, PRIDE Hall. This issue features three of our physician-scientists.

Spotlight: Beth Harleman, Leigh Kimberg, Larissa Thomas, Lisa Winston

Main Story:  "We are celebrating Women’s History Month by sharing the story of an innovative, grass roots leadership development program for women-identifying trainees in Internal Medicine. WiLD was created to address concerns of unequal treatment of women trainees in clinical settings, including at our own hospital. In surfacing and addressing these concerns, our residency program and ZSFG served as an incubator in advancing gender equity in medicine. ZSFG ICU faculty actively participated in discussions and trainings to identify and address unequal treatment of trainees on rounds. Two ZSFG faculty education leaders in the residency program, Dr. Vanessa Thompson and I, worked with colleagues and residents to develop WiLD. This meaningful program has since grown to offer development, support, and networking to trainees across UCSF in support of gender equity." - Beth Harleman, MD, Vice Chief, ZSFG DOM

Spotlight: Warm Hearts, Peter Hunt

Main Story:  This year marks the 150th anniversary of the partnership between ZSFG and UCSF, as well as a new chapter in this thriving collaboration: in May 2022, Elena Fuentes-Afflick, MD, MPH, was appointed Vice Dean of the UCSF School of Medicine at ZSFG. 

The role of the ZSFG Vice Dean’s Office is to represent all aspects and units of the University on the ZSFG campus in fulfilling the academic missions of providing outstanding clinical care, educating trainees,and conducting groundbreaking research. This issue introduces and highlights Dr. Fuentes-Afflick and members of her leadership team and how they support the departments at ZSFG, including Medicine, to succeed in their missions. Featuring: Elena Fuentes-Afflick, Margaret Damiano, Jake Blackshear, Grace Fernandez, Roger Mohamed, Ronald Campbell

Spotlight: Black History Month, Elena Fuentes-Afflick, Babak Javid, Larissa Thomas, Ward 86 Anniversary, UCSF International Women's Day events in March

Main Story:  An annual state of our ZSFG Department of Medicine. Areas focused on include mission, values, and vision; leaders and workforce; clinical operations; clinical programs; finances; performance improvement; education and our leaders; diversity, equity, and inclusion; workforce care and development; research; ZRAB building; and looking forward. 

Main Story:  As we experience the beauty and splendor of this winter holiday season, we should be grateful for the community we have in our ZSFG Department of Medicine.  In this issue we share expressions of appreciation and hopes for the new year by people across the department. Thank you to all who contributed your messages and photos. I appreciate that all of us inspire each other to make our work more meaningful and impactful.  You are amazing. We are making our community and the world a better place. Have a joyful winter holiday season!  

Main Story: ZSFG cares for residents of San Francisco, many of whom have health and social issues which increase the complexity of their care. Fortunately, ZSFG has a number of interventional specialists who provide potentially life-saving procedures which are less invasive alternatives to surgery. These state-of-the-art approaches require a high level of training, skill and teamwork. In this issue we feature some of the latest innovations in interventional cardiology and endoscopy. Featuring: John MacGregor, MD, PhD; Lukas Zier, MD; Patrick Avila, MD

Spotlight: Native American Heritage Month, ZSFG DOM Clothing Drive, UCSF/ZSFG/OSR Toy Drive

Main Story: Climate change is one of the most important public health crises of our day. The impact of this threat may fall most heavily on populations such as the patients we treat at ZSFG and similar ones globally. This month, the Annals of Internal Medicine highlighted this focus in an American College of Physicians Position Paper on Environmental Health. In this issue we highlight faculty members who are taking leadership roles in addressing this challenge. .Featuring: Sheri Weiser, MD; Neeta Thakur, MD; Anna Chodos, MD

Main Story: Each year, our department honors staff who excel beyond expectations in the areas of Administrative Service, Leadership, Patient Care, and Research. Staff are nominated by colleagues, reviewed by a committee of staff and faculty, and finalized by department leadership. This year's awardees hold a wealth of professional and personal experience in creating compassionate care. All demonstrate a dedication to our mission of serving our community with excellence. We recognized awardees in a virtual ceremony on Friday, September 25, 2022. Featuring: Asher O'Donnell, Rahitha Maria Thomas, Dave Graham-Squire, Ghezal Saffi

Spotlight: Latinx Heritage Month, flu shots and COVID boosters

Main Story: California and the U.S. are becoming increasingly diverse, yet Black and Latinx communities are underrepresented both in medical schools and the health professions. It is vital to have clinicians and researchers who come from the communities most affected by health disparities as illuminated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To meet this challenge, faculty members in the ZSFG Department of Medicine lead several innovative programs which help high school and college students from communities underrepresented in medicine develop science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills and provide early exposure to medicine and research. With their deep lived experience of health inequities, community connections, and cultural wealth, these youth will transform the future of medicine. Featuring: Antonio Gomez, MD; Neeta Thakur, MD; Delphine Tuot, MD; Raymond Hsu, MD; Alicia Fernández

Spotlight: David Chia, MD; Meghan O'Brien, MD; Edgar Pierluissi, MD

Main Story: This month we welcome our new chief residents, who ascended to their new roles after finishing  UCSF’s three-year internal medicine residency program last month. In this 2022-2023 new academic year, these exceptional young physicians will help teach, support and mentor the 180 interns and residents who rotate through the Medicine inpatient and outpatient services at ZSFG.
Our chief residents are Cati Crawford, MD, for ambulatory care, and Jessie Holtzman, MD, and Veronica Manzo, MD, MS, for inpatient care. They bring passion and radiance for caring for vulnerable populations, helping trainees connect with the joy of learning, and transforming systems of care.

Spotlight: Welcome to New ZSFG DOM Faculty