ZSFG Department of Medicine Newsletters

Main Story: During Women's History Month, we honor the extraordinary contributions of all the women in the ZSFG Department of Medicine. This issue features six outstanding women as exemplars who demonstrate remarkable achievements in the area of research, education, administration, clinical care and performance improvement. Featuring: Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, MD; Sarah Goglin, MD; Jep Poon; Michele Tana, MD; Laurae Pearson; Delphine Tuot, MD.

Tribute: Anitha Toke, MD and Teri Liegler, PhD

Spotlight: ZSFG Women in Research - Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigators - Oanh Nguyen, MD, MAS; Isabel Rodriguez-Barraquer, MD, PhD; Sara Suliman, PhD, MPH 

Main Story: A core pillar of the ZSFG Department of Medicine’s mission is to be a trusted authority in the public sphere, particularly to shape policy to promote health equity. Two of our faculty members recently led national efforts to improve the health and healthcare of patients with diabetes and kidney disease, producing landmark reports which will transform lives. Featuring: Dean Schillinger, MD; Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA; Cynthia Delgado, MD.

Spotlight: Black History Month at UCSF; SFGH Foundation's Hearts in SF honoring Sue Carlisle, MD, and Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA named as 2022 Hero. 

Main Story: Almost two years into a pandemic of epic proportions, our talented faculty, staff and trainees have shown what dedication, teamwork and caring for each other can yield in fulfilling our mission. Here, we report on the state of the UCSF Department of Medicine at ZSFG. 

Main Story: In this issue, we celebrate ZSFG Department of Medicine programs that illuminate community connection and care. Ignited with a spark of an idea, these initiatives have grown with shining impact, demonstrating our deep commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and access. Featured: Nynikka Palmer, DrPh, MPH; Neeta Thakur, MD; Cindy Curiel, Marina Schechter, Brie Williams, MD.

Spotlight: Nora Goldschlager, MD; Brie Williams, MD

Main Story: The ZSFG Department of Medicine, with $145 million in FY22 awards, is a powerhouse of clinical research. Our extraordinary clinical research coordinators work behind the scenes to enroll patients, coordinate study visits, collect biosamples and qualitative data, and more. Like Swiss Army knives, clinical research coordinators possess a broad range of abilities, including organizational skills, attention to detail, facility with both words and numbers, and the ability to communicate clearly, ethically, and compassionately with patient populations that are underrepresented in research.This month we highlight a few of our outstanding clinical research coordinators: Paul Couey, Shreya Swaminathan, Deanna Lee, Viet Nguyen, Alexandra Velasquez.

Spotlight: Dean Schillinger, MD; Anna Chodos, MD, MPH and Health at Home; Commonwealth Club Distinguished Citizens 2021 - Alicia Fernandez, MD; Margot Kushel, MD; Monica Gandhi, MD; Diane Havlir, MD; Carina Marquez, MD

Main Story: The number of older adults is increasing in the U.S. So is the number at ZSFG. The percentage of patients age 65 or older at ZSFG has increased from 13% in 2014 to 18% in 2021.  Now, over 16,000 patients at ZSFG are age 65 or older. Older adults want to age gracefully, preserving cognitive function, physical abilities and independence.  We asked our geriatricians, specialists trained to evaluate and manage the healthcare needs and treatment preferences of older people, about their work at ZSFG.  

Spotlight: Flu vaccines, UCSF Diversity Month

Main Story: ZSFG Department of Medicine Staff Excellence Awards 2021. Each year, our department honors staff who have excelled beyond expectations in the areas of Administrative Support, 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 recipients reflect an exemplary commitment to care and innovation, with two awardees selected in each category. All demonstrate a dedication to our mission of serving our community with excellence. We recognized award recipients in an online ceremony on Friday, September 10, 2021. 

Spotlight: Flu vaccines, Women in Medicine Month and Latinx Heritage Month, Paul Blanc, MD; Jennifer Mandal, MD; Mike Reid, MD; Binh An Phan, MD; Dean Sheppard, MD; Payam Nahid, MD; In Memoriam - Anitha Toke, MD

Main Story: Chief residents are an important cornerstone in the education and leadership of the many residents in the UCSF Department of Medicine. Selected for their exceptional clinical and leadership skills, chief residents have multiple roles. In this issue, we recognize the talent and diversity that present, recent, and past chief residents have brought to the DOM at ZSFG over six decades with Chiefs of Medicine Norman Sweet, MD; Henry Brainerd, MD;  Hibbard Williams, MD; Merle Sande, MD; Talmadge King, MD;  and Neil Powe, MD. Many remain at UCSF and others are making important contributions to patient care and American Medicine elsewhere. We asked past chief residents about their most meaningful experiences while in the position and advice they would bestow upon current residents starting their medical careers. 

Main Story: At the beginning of this 2021-2022 academic year, we welcome our three new chief residents. These outstanding, dedicated young physicians are recent graduates of our internal medicine residency program who will help teach, mentor, and support the 180 interns and residents who rotate through the Department of Medicine at ZSFG. Raphaela Lipinsky DeGette, MD, MS, and Adalí Martínez, MD, MPH, will focus on inpatient care, and Andreas Mitchell, MD, MPP, will focus on ambulatory care. 

Spotlight: ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty and staff honors and announcements including: Diane Havlir, MD; Anna Chodos, MD; Lucas Zier, MD; Leonard Telesca; Andrew Kim, MD; Jillian Kadota

Main Story: The ZSFG Department of Medicine is fortunate to have several emeriti faculty, who choose to contribute after retirement. This month we honor three emeriti faculty who are sharing their wisdom and applying a wealth of experience to advance our missions. We also celebrate all of our emeriti faculty in a photo tribute (see last page). Highlighted: Morrie Schambelan, MD; Jacqueline Tulsky, MD; Henry "Chip" Chambers, MD

Spotlight: ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty recipients honors and announcements including: Diane Havlir, MD; Marcela Zhou Huang, MD, MPH; Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, MD, MS; Monica Gandhi, MD; Dean Sheppard, MD; Vivek Jain, MD; Beth Harleman, MD; Emily Silverman, MD; Ashley McMullen, MD.