ZSFG Department of Medicine Newsletters
Browse through our newsletters archived by academic year
Volume 7: Academic Year July 2023 - June 2024
Volume 7, Issue 1, July 2023
Leading Our Learners: The 2023-2024 Chief Residents
Main Story: This summer we welcome our new chief residents, who just completed their third postgraduate year in our internal medicine residency program. This academic year, these outstanding young physicians will help mentor, support, and teach the 180 interns and residents who rotate through the Department of Medicine at ZSFG. Featuring: Brittany Abel, MD, Marcela Zhou Huang, MD, MPH, and Jack McGregor, MD
Spotlight: Saate Shakil, MD, Morgan Philbin, MD, Ilana Garcia-Grossman, MD, Rebecca Abelman, MD, Ayesha Appa, MD, Lurit Bepo, MD, Maxwell Birger, MD, Veronica Manzo, MD, Ran Catherine Xu, MD, Stephanie Holm, MD, PhD, MPH, Michael Lee, MD, Rahul Kumar, PhD, Laura Plantinga, PhD, and Abraham Nelson, Executive Analyst
Volume 6: Academic Year July 2022 - June 2023
Volume 6, Issue 12, June 2023
Cultivating Humility and Leadership
Main Story: ZSFG is one of the premier public hospitals in the country. It serves some of the community’s most vulnerable patients, and has developed innovative approaches to care which have become national and international models. This issue features two stellar educational programs led by faculty and/or based, in the ZSFG Department of Medicine. Both help trainees become innovative leaders as they care for underserved patients and work to transform health care systems. Featuring: Katie Brooks, MD, Alexander Logan, MD, and Joan Addington-White, MD
Spotlight: Alex, Logan, MD, Dean Schillinger, MD, David Chia, MD, Jaya Mallidi, MD, and Jep Poon
Volume 6, Issue 11, May 2023
Recognizing Our Talented Colleagues
Main Story: The Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General celebrates our talented, innovative, and dedicated members through the 2023 ZSFG Medicine Service Awards. These awards are an opportunity to express gratitude for faculty commitment to the hospital and department’s goals. Peers, through comments, provided nominations. Featuring: Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, Christy Soran, MD, MPH, Sithu Win, MD, MPH, Joan Addington-White, MD, Bethlehem Churnet, MD, Michael Peluso, MD, MHS, MPhil, Jonathan Graf, MD, Samuel Lee, MD, Mandana Khalili, MD, MAS, Tom Bersot, MD, PhD, Antionette Griffin, RN, MS, Megha Ambati, MD, Meghan O’Brien, MD, MBE
Spotlight: STAR Achievement Awards featuring: Michele Casadei, Erin Hartman, Layan Kaileh, Kelly Kiser, Tiana Moore, Pamela Olsen, Lea Troeh. SPIRIT of DOM Awards featuring: Jordan Cuby, Ivan Leung. Other Awards featuring: David, Chia, MD, Priscilla Hsue, MD, Jaya Mallidi, MD, Fiona Ng, Neil R. Powe, MD
Volume 6, Issue 10, April 2023
Empowering Physician-Scientists at ZSFG
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
Volume 6, Issue 9, March 2023
Celebrating Women's History Month: Working Towards Gender Equity in Medicine
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
Volume 6, Issue 8, February 2023
The Vice Dean's Office: Advancing UCSF's Mission at ZSFG
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
Volume 6, Issue 7, January 2023
Strength In Numbers And Impact
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.
Volume 6, Issue 6, December 2022
A Season For Appreciation And Gratitude
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!
Volume 6, Issue 5, November 2022
Interventionalists: Engineering Heart and Gut Health
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
Volume 6, Issue 4, October 2022
Addressing The Health Impacts of Climate Change
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
Volume 6, Issue 3, September 2022
Celebrating Our Dedicated Staff With Heart
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
Volume 6, Issue 2, August 2022
Reaching Back To Prime The Pipeline
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
Volume 6, Issue 1, July 2022
A Love Supreme: Learning, Teaching, and Leading
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
Volume 5: Academic Year July 2021 - June 2022
Main Story: In addition to their incredible work in clinical care,research, education and advocacy, the faculty and staff of the ZSFG Department of Medicine have an astonishing wealth of other talents. Some of these talents are in creative artistry in its many forms – painting, crafting, drawing and singing. This month we share the artistic endeavors of four members of our department whose life passions complement and balance the roles for which they are best known at ZSFG.Featuring: Julia Kay; Robert Brody, MD; Constance Wu, MD; Kamran Atabai, MD
Spotlight: Alexandra Velasquez; Mimi Margaretten, MD; Steven Deeks, MD; Priscilla Hsue, MD; Carina Marquez, MD; Nynikka Palmer, DrPH, MPH
Honoring Our Extraordinary Teammates
Main Story: The Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General celebrates our talented, innovative, and dedicated members through the 2022 ZSFG Medicine Service Awards. These awards are an opportunity to express gratitude for faculty commitment to the hospital and department’s goals. Peers, through comments, provided nominations.Featuring: Vivek Jain, MD; Bethlehem Churnet, MD; Marlene Martin, MD; Soraya Azari, MD; Scott Steiger, MD; Gabe Ortiz, MD; Priya Shete, MD; Surabhi Nirkhe, MD; Courtney Lyles, MD; Barry Zevin, MD; Will Huen, MD; Camille Beaudoy, PharmD; Alan Wu, PhD; Joseph Caballero, PT
Spotlight: STAR Achievement Staff Awards featuring: Melissa Akers, Zahra Atai, Douglas Black, Cissie Bonini, Jennifer Evans, Raeni Miller, Kenny Perez, Kevin Reeder, Francine Rios-Fetchko, Kara Young
Volume 5, Issue 10, April 2022
Dos largos Años: Reflecting back, looking forward
Main Story: Last month marked two long years (dos largos años) since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The ZSFG Department of Medicine rose to this unprecedented challenge – discovering more about this mysterious new disease, caring for the patient populations hit hardest, and pioneering new treatments and approaches to care delivery that helped San Francisco achieve among the lowest mortality rates of any American city. This was an enormous team effort, and every person at ZSFG continues to play a vital role in caring for our patients and communities. We invited four members of our Department to reflect on lessons learned, how they can be applied in the future, and what the road ahead might look like. Featuring: Lukejohn Day, MD; Carina Marquez, MD; Vivek Jain, MD; Raeni Miller
Special Section: ZSFG DOM Physician COVID-19 Clinical Service Recognition Awards: Kamran Atabai, MD; Katie Brooks, MD; Judy Cheng, MD; Lukejohn Day, MD; Antonio Gomez, MD; Mary Gray, MD; Carolyn Hendrickson, MD; Mark Jacobson, MD; Vivek Jain, MD; Mandana Khalili, MD; Margot Kushel, MD; Michael Lee, MD; Annie Luetkemeyer, MD; Jaya Mallidi, MD; Mimi Margaretten, MD; Zaw Muang, MD; Lisa Ochoa-Frongia, MD; Anne Rosenthal, MD; Ramin Sam, MD; Justin Sewell, MD; George Su, MD; Vanessa Thompson, MD; Lisa Winston, MD; Christina Yoon, MD
Volume 5, Issue 9, March 2022
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
Volume 5, Issue 8, February 2022
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.
Volume 5, Issue 7, January 2022
A Department Leading Resolutely With Care
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.
Volume 5, Issue 6, December 2021
Illuminating the Impact of Community Connection
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
Volume 5, Issue 5, November 2021
Coordinating Clinical Research Exquisitely
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
Volume 5, Issue 4, October 2021
Excellence in Caring for Older Adults
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
Volume 5, Issue 3, September 2021
Celebrating Our Dynamic and Caring Staff
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
Volume 5, Issue 2, August 2021
Inspiring Chief Residents Throughout the Years
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.
Volume 5, Issue 1, July 2021
ZSFG Medicine Chief Residents: Supporting Our Learners
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
Volume 4: Academic Year July 2020 - June 2021
Of Noble Status: Emeriti Faculty
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.
Celebrating the Talents of Our Team: ZSFG Medicine Faculty Awards
Main Story: The Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General celebrates its hard-working,
talented and dedicated members through the 2021 ZSFG Medicine Service Awards. These awards are an opportunity to express gratitude for faculty commitment to the hospital and department’s goals. Peers, through comments, provided nominations.
Additional: STAR Achievement Staff Awards
Volume 4, Issue 10, April 2021
Research and Equity Reinforced by Epic
Main Story: ZSFG is home to world-class care teams and scientists, and the August 2019 launch of the Epic electronic health record (EHR) opened up new opportunities to improve patient care, health equity, and research. Epic replaced more than 20 older EHR systems, enabling clinicians to easily share notes, lab test results, and other information with others caring for the same patient across the San Francisco Health Network (SFHN).
Spotlight: Faculty honors, announcements, and events including: Larissa Thomas, MD; Digital Health Equity Summit; Courtney Lyles, PhD; Urmimala Sarkar, MD; Amy Ou, MD; Alicia Fernandez, MD; Jessica Holtzman, MD; Veronica Manzo, MD; Catherine Crawford, MD
Guiding the Way to Better Health: ZSFG Patient Navigation
Main Story: Under the best of circumstances, it can be difficult for patients to find their way through the complex health care system – but many can fall through the cracks if they struggle with additional challenges, such as poverty, limited English proficiency, or social isolation. Patient navigators help remedy this dilemma, providing practical resources and a reassuring presence to patients throughout their journey. ZSFG has several outstanding patient navigation programs, each tailored to meeting patients where they are in their lives. Navigators interviewed include: Laurel Puffert; Barbara Cicerelli, MPA; Rebeca Garcia, MPH.
Spotlight: PRISE Center launch and faculty honors including: Adithya Cattamanchi, MD, MAS; Margaret Handley, PhD, MPH; Alicia Fernandez, MD; Urmimala Sarkar, MD; Margot Kushel, MD; Diane Havlir, MD; Carina Marquez, MD.
Volume 4, Issue 8, February 2021
ZSFG Research And Academic Building: A Future Home For Research Becomes A Reality
Main Story: UCSF's state-of-the-art Research and Academic Building (RAB) at ZSFG is scheduled for move-in in 2023. ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty and staff who serve as co-chairs on planning workgroups are interviewed including Urmimala Sarkar, MD, MPH; Laurae Pearson; Gideon St. Helen, PhD; Peter Hunt, MD; Rebecca Hoh, MS, RD.
Spotlight: ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty recipients of awards and honors including: Emily Silverman, MD; Marlene Martin, MD.
Volume 4, Issue 7, Special Edition - January 2021
A Dedicated Department In A Challenging Time
Main Story: A special State of the Department issue highlighting achievements and marking progress in achieving goals. Areas of focus include ZSFG Department of Medicine mission, values, and goals; leaders and workforce; clinical operations; performance improvement; education; COVID-19 response; anti-racism; clinical expansion; research; challenges; and the future.
Volume 4, Issue 6, December 2020
Caring For Our Community With Outreach And Action
Main Story: In this issue we celebrate initiatives at ZSFG Department of Medicine that exemplify our commitment to the community, including the EatSF program, patient and staff voter outreach, and the annual toy drive. Faculty and staff interviewed include: Hilary Seligman, MD; Ilana Garcia-Grossman, MD; and Olive Giovannetti.
Volume 4, Issue 5, November 2020
Cultivating The Quintessential Physician: The Bridges Coaches Program
Main Story: UCSF School of Medicine's Bridges Curriculum engages clinician-educators in a program that helps medical students develop the professional and personal skills essential for becoming a doctor. ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty Bridges coaches include: Binh An Phan, MD; Lawrence Haber, MD; and Sarah Goglin, MD.
Spotlight: ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty recipients of awards and honors including: Eric Goosby, MD; Philip Hopewell, MD; Marlene Martin, MD; Neil Powe, MD, MPH, MBA. San Francisco Health Commission honored all ZSFG Hospital Staff members and recognized the Infection Control team including Lisa Winston, MD; Vivek Jain, MD; Antonio Gomez, MD; Jessica Chuang, MD.
Volume 4, Issue 4, October 2020
Gratitude For Navigating The Unforeseen: COVID-19
Main Story: Reflections of ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty and staff in divisions and workgroups on the frontlines of COVID-19, in their own words, including: Jessica Chuang, MD; Gabriel Chamie, MD; Melody Davenport-McLaughlin; Elizabeth Imbert, MD; Annie Luetkemeyer, MD; Justin Moore, PhD, MPA; David Pearce, MD; Jason Rahman; Sumant Ranji, MD; Lisa Winston, MD.
Spotlight: Registration open for Promoting Research in Social Media and Health Symposium (PRISM), December 3-4, with ZSFG DOM faculty Urmimala Sarkar, MD, MPH and Courtney Lyles, PhD, on the steering committee.
Volume 4, Issue 3, September 2020
Celebrating Our Innovative & Amazing Staff
Main Story: ZSFG Department of Medicine Staff Excellence Awards 2020 recipients, including Julius Cervania; Rebecca Crowder; Jon Oskarsson, RN; and Binh Tran.
Spotlight: Flu shots available at ZSFG; ZSFG DOM faculty recipients of awards and honors: Sarah Goglin, MD; Meghan O'Brien, MD; Binh An Phan, MD; Harina Sarathy, MD; Neeta Thakur, MD; Antonio Gomez, MD; Scott Steiger, MD; Vanessa Thompson, MD.
Volume 4, Issue 2, August 2020
Epic At One Year: A Magnificent Team Effort
Main Story: Epic, the enterprise-wide electronic health record (EHR), has accelerated communication and outstanding care at ZSFG. We look at this first year of implementation, interviewing Neda Ratanawongsa, MD, MPH; Seth Goldman, MD; and George Su, MD.
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM faculty recipients of awards and directorships: Nora Goldschlager, MD; Scott Steiger, MD; Anna Chodos, MD.
Welcome To Our New Chief Residents
Main Story: This month we welcome our new chief residents, Lurit Bepo, MD, MPH; Thuy Trang Jennie "TJ" Nguyen, MD; and Saundra Nguyen, MD, MPH.
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM faculty recipients of awards and directorships: Suneil Koliwad, MD, MPH; Courtney Lyles, PhD; Priscilla Hsue, MD; Adithya Cattamanchi, MD; Alicia Fernandez, MD; Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH; Beth Harleman, MD, named Vice Chief of Medicine at ZSFG.
Volume 3: Academic Year July 2019 - June 2020
Nurturing A Partnership of Equals: University and City
Main Story: The shared mission of UCSF and San Francisco Department of Public Health, featuring interviews with ZSFG CEO Susan Ehrlich, MD; Vice Dean of UCSF School of Medicine at ZSFG Sue Carlisle, MD; and Chief of the Medical Staff at ZSFG Claire Horton, MD.
Spotlight: Vigil for George Floyd, Talmadge E. King Jr, MD receives the Elliot Rapaport Award; Catherine Crawford, MD, receives the Krevans Award; Lisa Winston, MD, elected ZSFG Chief of Staff
Celebrating the Talents of our Team
Main Story: ZSFG Medicine Faculty Award recipients, including Sumant Ranji, MD; Megan O'Brien, MD; Elaine Khoong, MD; Jessica Beaman, MD, MPH; Jonathan Davis, MD; Sarah Leyde, MD; David Chia, MD; Binh An Phan, MD; Joseph Clement, MS, RN, CCNS; Hana Lim, MD; Glenn Egrie, MD.
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM faculty recipients of national and university awards including Antonio Gomez, MD; Alicia Fernandez, MD; Priscilla Hsue, MD; Nynikka Palmer, MD; Dean Schillinger, MD; Claire Horton, MD.
Volume 3, Issue 10, April 2020
Navigating Social Media with Grace
Main Story: Considering the positive and negative impact that healthcare providers and leaders can have in harnessing social media featuring interviews with Department of Medicine Associate Chair for Faculty Experience Beth Harleman, MD and Chair of UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS.
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM recipients of 2020 Chancellor Award for Exceptional University Management, Laurae Pearson and Clarice Estrada; Academic Senate Distinction in Mentoring Award recipient Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH.
Dedicated and Prepared to Protect
Main Story: ZSFG's Infection Prevention and Control Program and Occupational and Employee Health Services work to protect from COVID-19, featuring interviews with Co-Medical Director of ZSFG Infection Prevention and Control Program Vivek Jain, MD; Infection Prevention and Control Program Manager Elaine Dekker, RN; ZSFG OEHS Medical Director Jessica Chuang, MD, MPH, and Chief of the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Paul D. Blanc, MD.
Volume 3, Issue 8, February 2020
Caring For An Expanding Number Of Inpatients
Main Story: Since ZSFG opened the new hospital in May 2016, the number of inpatients has increased by about 7 percent per year. This issue looks at challenges, sharing the load, optimizing resident experiences, and realizing performance improvement. Interviews with ZSFG Department of Medicine faculty include Sumant Ranji, MD; David Chia, MD; Lisa Winston, MD.
Spotlight: The Addiction Care Team, led by Marlene Martin, MD, and Hannah Snyder, MD, was awarded a $ million donation.
Volume 3, Issue 7, January 2020
A New Year, A Dynamic Department
Main Story: It's a new year and 2020! This is an opportunity to affirm our values, review the state of our department, highlight achievements, and mark our progress in achieving our goals. This issue is devoted to key points of information for our department.
Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2019
Cultivating Leaders of Care at ZSFG
Main Story: To help leaders work most effectively in this complex environment, Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA, Chief of Medicine at ZSFG and Constance B. Wofsy Distinguished Professor, and Dr. Harleman established the Clinical Leaders Professional Development Program at ZSFG. This fall, 16 leaders nominated by their division chiefs met once a month for three-hour sessions on topics including personality type and leadership, the power of inquiry, the matrix structure of UCSF and DPH, approaches to conflict, diversity and inclusion. Featuring: Beth Harleman, MD; Vivek Jain, MD; Carolyn Hendrickson, MD; Sarah Kim, MD
Spotlight: ZSFG Research and Academic Building; Cynthia Nagendra; Paula Lum, MD, MPH; John Imboden, MD
Volume 3, Issue 5, November 2019
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure
Main Story: In 1736 when fire endangered the city of Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” for fire awareness and prevention, something we are now all too familiar with in California. We have many “fires” due to illnesses that threaten the health of our patients here in San Francisco, as well as across the U.S. and the world. We feature two leaders at ZSFG Medicine who are working upstream to “nip in the bud” diseases that cut human lives short and diminish quality of life: Diane Havlir, MD; Dean Schillinger, MD
Spotlight: The Addiction Care Team, led by Marlene Martin, MD, and Hannah Snyder, MD, was awarded a $ million donation.
Volume 3, Issue 4, October 2019
Specialty Centers Provide Innovation and Access to Care
Main Story: For half a century, the ZSFG Renal Center has provided life-sustaining treatment for some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents, while discovering new ways to improve the care of patients with kidney disease. Featuring: Anitha Toke, MD
Cardiac imaging has many tools, each with strengths and limitations. Since Sithu Win, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, was recruited to direct the ZSFG Division of Cardiology’s Echocardiography and Non-Invasive Cardiac Laboratory, his team has increased this toolkit and improved access.
Spotlight: Palliative Care Program; Diane Havlir, MD; POP-UP program at Ward 86
Volume 3, Issue 3, September 2019
Honoring Our Staff for Dedication and Passion
Main Story: ZSFG Department of Medicine (DOM) celebrated staff on September 13, 2019 with the annual Staff Appreciation Day. The event culminated with the presentation of this year's Staff Excellence Awards for Administrative Support, Leadership, Patient Care, and, new this year, Research. Featuring: Jep Poon, Carlo Juárez, Erin Collins, Paul Couey, Kristina Bello
Spotlight: Edward Wiedemann, Brandi Moretz, Brooks Bigart
Volume 3, Issue 2, August 2019
Caring for Patients and Providers
Main Story: Founded in 2002, CARE provides health education, resources, and a welcoming community to any SFDPH patient living with cancer. It is open to people of any gender and cancer type, at any stage of illness or survivorship. Featuring: Terence Friedlander, MD; Sofia Sojourner Newton, MPH; Gabriela Quezada-Pérez.
Emily Silverman, MD, founded The Nocturnists, a series of live storytelling events and podcast. The stories, filled with compassion and sometimes humor, feature health care professionals grappling with thorny issues such as medical errors, experiences with depression, and frustration with patients who are unable to follow a care plan.
Spotlight: Neal Benowitz, MD; Katherine Lupton, MD; Payam Nahid, MD; Hilary Seligman, MD
Volume 3, Issue 1, July 2019
Welcome to Our New Chief Residents
Main Story: Chief residents are outstanding graduates of our internal medicine residency program who spend an additional year in leadership roles, helping to teach, mentor and support the 180 interns and residents who rotate through the Department of Medicine at ZSFG. They bring deep knowledge of the challenges of residency, as well as fresh perspectives about how to make the experience even more meaningful and rewarding. Featuring: Kathryn Sullivan, MD; Tyler Mains, MD; Albert Liu, MD
Spotlight: Brian Graham, MD; Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH; Peter Hunt, MD; Mallory Johnson, PhD; Terence Friedlander, MD
Volume 2: Academic Year 2018 - 2019
Volume 2, Issue 10, June 2019
Strengthening and Diversifying the Pipeline for Medicine
Main Story: A dynamic partnership between ZSFG Pulmonary Division and UC Berkeley Biology Scholars Program supports aspiring undergrads. Featuring: Aisha Jama; Antonio Gomez, MD; Kristin Hildreth, Semhar Teklu
Spotlight: Krevans Award recognizes Arturo Gasga, MD; Rapaport Award recognizes Jeffrey Critchfield, MD
Volume 2, Issue 9, May 2019
The Special Talents of our Remarkable Faculty & Staff
Main Story: 2019 ZSFG Medicine Faculty Awards and ZSFG Staff STAR Achievement Awards. Featuring: Alicia Fernandez, MD; Lucas Zier, MD; Devora Keller, MD; Jack Chase, MD; Urmimala Sarkar, MD; Reena Gupta, MD; Kelly Han, MD; Jehan Budak, MD; Larissa Thomas, MD; Oanh Nguyen, MD; Beth Harleman, MD; Susan Lau; Stephen May; Raeni Miller; Justin Moore; Nadia Nardone; Vanessa York
Spotlight: ZSFG Medical SPOT Awards, ZSFG Milestone Service Recognition
Main Story: Homelessness is one of the nation’s most vexing problems, and the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations (CVP), based in the ZSFG Department of Medicine, has launched the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative to help address this epidemic. More than five million children worldwide die each year of treatable diseases such as malaria and pneumonia – but Ari Johnson, MD, and his colleagues are working to change that. Featuring: Margot Kushel, MD; Ari Johnson, MD
Spotlight: Payam Nahid, MD; Emily Silverman; Talmadge King, MD; Gallup Staff Engagement Survey, ZSFG RAB
Volume 2, Issue 7, March 2019
Main Story: While ZSFG has always been dedicated to serving vulnerable populations, in recent years the institution and the ZSFG Department of Medicine have deepened their commitment to creating an environment that goes beyond equality to equity. Featuring: Jeffrey Critchfield, MD; Marlene Martin, MD; Tosan Boyo, MPH
Spotlight: UCSF Diversity and Inclusion Staff Certificate Program ZSFG graduates - Yazmin Carrasco, Jena Desai, Justin Moore, Kay Wallis, Edward Wiedemann
Volume 2, Issue 6, February 2019
Main Story: While ZSFG has always been dedicated to serving vulnerable populations, in recent years the institution and the ZSFG Department of Medicine have deepened their commitment to creating an environment that goes beyond equality to equity. Featuring: Jeffrey Critchfield, MD; Marlene Martin, MD; Tosan Boyo, MPH
Spotlight: UCSF National Clinical Scholars Program; Margot Kushel, MD
Volume 2, Issue 5, January 2019
Medicine Faculty Help Guide All of Us
Main Story: This past year four faculty members in the ZSFG Department of Medicine assumed key leadership roles across our medical center. In this issue of our newsletter, we describe each position and the leaders reflect on their future goals and expectations. We are proud to see them making a difference in our culture and charting paths toward high value care. They need our engagement. Let’s ensure their success! Featuring: Lukejohn Day, MD; Claire Horton, MD; Gabe Ortiz, MD; Delphine Tuot, MD
Spotlight: EPIC Provider Training for Go-Live
Volume 2, Issue 4, December 2018
Cultivating Primary Care Leaders
Main Story: The ZSFG primary care track of the UCSF Internal Medicine Residency Program (also known as SFPC) is a jewel for ZSFG and the Department of Medicine. For over 35 years, it has been an exemplary in training some of the nation’s most promising young doctors to provide outstanding primary care to underserved populations in a comprehensive, coordinated and continuous way. It prepares them to become the next generation of pioneers in research, education and advocacy. Featuring: Joanie Addington-White, MD; Soraya Azari, MD
Spotlight: David Chia, MD; In Remembrance - Richard (Dick) H. Fine, MD
Volume 2, Issue 3, November 2018
Developing Human Capital in Research
Main Story: K12 awards are career development awards granted to institutions by National Institutes of Health (NIH) that provide critical funding to newly-trained clinicians who are transitioning from fellowship into junior faculty awards. This is a particularly vulnerable time in career development, often when young researchers have exhausted limits on eligible years for continuing fellowship support through the NIH, but are not yet prepared to start their own labs or programs. Senior faculty in the ZSFG Department of Medicine have been successful in garnering three such awards to support young scientists at UCSF on their journey in development of independent research skills and experience in a fundamental science. Importantly, they do this within the framework of interdisciplinary research and development programs at UCSF. Featuring: Adithya Cattamanchi, MD; David Erle, MD; Laurence Huang, MD
Spotlight: Margot Kushel, MD; Brooks Bigart
Volume 2, Issue 3, October 2018
Problem Solving Heroines and Heroes
Main Story: ZSFG Medicine division and clinic managers work hand-in-hand with their division chiefs and the ZSFG Department of Medicine administration to carry out our mission in ways both big and small. Working often unnoticeable, these heroines and heroes are a resource for everyone in their divisions. They problem solve and can provide answers, ideas and suggestions for a wide variety of issues. This month we profile three of our extraordinary managers. Featuring: Clarice Estrada, MPA; Jon Oskarsson, RN, BScN, MN; Jennifer Thomas, MPH
Spotlight: Addiction Medicine Fellowship; Paula Lum, MD; Sarah Goglin, MD; Binh An Phan, MD, Clarice Horton, MD
Volume 2, Issue 2, August - September 2018
New Leaders at the Frontiers of Medicine
Main Story: Three amazing faculty members assumed leadership roles in the ZSFG Department of Medicine in the last several months. Four remarkable Department of Medicine staff were honored for their outstanding service. We share their background and their passion for being part of the ZSFG and UCSF community.. Featuring: Joel Ernst, MD; Terence Friedlander, MD; Margot Kushel, MD
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM Staff Awards - Raymond Yi, Eva Lo, Vanessa York, Mary Ellen Kelly
Volume 2, Issue 1, July 2018
Welcome to our Incoming Chief Residents
Main Story: Three amazing faculty members assumed leadership roles in the ZSFG Department of Medicine in the last several months. Four remarkable Department of Medicine staff were honored for their outstanding service. We share their background and their passion for being part of the ZSFG and UCSF community.. Featuring: Matt Hickey, MD; Ashley McMullen, MD; Jennifer Olenik, MD
Spotlight: New DOM Faculty Members
Volume 1: Spring 2017 and Academic Year 2017 - 2018
Volume 1, Issue 12, May - June 2018
Awards Illustrate Talent in ZSFG Medicine
Main Story: Each year the UCSF Chancellor, the Dean of the School of Medicine, and the Department of Medicine recognize exceptional people for their contributions. ZSFG Medicine faculty and staff were among those honored. Featuring: Beth Harleman, MD; Rebecca Hoh, MD, RD; Michael Chen, JD; Melody Davenport-McLaughlin, BA; Andrew Kerkhoff, MD, PhD; Thienkhai Vu, MD, PhD; Dhruv Kazi, MD; Courtney Lyles, PhD; Lisa Ochoa-Frongia, MD; Jessica Beaman, MD; Deborah Borne, MD; Beth Harleman, MD; John Imboden, MD; Dawnee Wong; Doug Black; Karishma Oza; Lila Sheira; Jeanna Wallenta; Cissie Bonini; Sarah Lisker; Susan Lau; Peggy Weix
Volume 1, Issue 11, April 2018
PhDs: Partners in Public Health
Main Story: Our PhDs are an integral part of the vibrant academic community in the ZSFG Department of Medicine. Steeped with training in fields such as behavioral science, biochemistry, biophysics, environmental health, epidemiology, genetics, health services, infectious diseases, immunology, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, statistics and toxicology, they push the boundaries beyond what we currently know about science. With astounding creativity they are making impactful contributions to human knowledge and health. In this edition, we highlight three of the many impressive PhDs in our department. Featuring: Cheryl Stoddart, PhD; Gideon St. Helen, PhD; Courtney Lyles; PhD
Spotlight: PhDs in the ZSFG Department of Medicine
Volume 1, Issue 10, December 2017
Main Story: Dr. Payam Nahid has collaborated with partners in Vietnam to establish a clinical trials unit in Hanoi as part of the TB Trials Consortium, an international network funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2013, Dr. Reena Gupta has partnered with SEWA Rural, a nonprofit in the western Indian state of Gujarat, to improve the health of SCD patients. Dr. Grant Dorsey has worked to improve malaria treatments in collaboration with Philip Rosenthal, MD, Professor of Medicine and Moses Kamya, MMed, MPH, PhD, now Chair of the Department Medicine at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Featuring:Payam Nahid, MD; Reena Gupta, MD; Grant Dorsey, MD, PhD, MPH
Spotlight: Global foci of ZSFG DOM faculty research and work
Volume 1, Issue 9, November 2017
LEAN Thinking in a Learning Healthcare Environment
Main Story: Quality improvement at ZSFG: A3 Thinking Training; data driven improvement; consistent team pairings; hospital post-discharge follow-up. Featuring: Will Huen, MD; Reyland Manatan; Claire Horton, MD, MPH; Lukejohn Day, MD
Spotlight: Monica Gandhi, MD; Elizabeth Murphy, MD; Terence Friedlander, MD; Rebecca Schwarz
Volume 1, Issue 8, October 2017
Main Story: Model ZSFG, which provides 30 UCSF medical students with deep clinical experiences and training in caring for vulnerable populations; UCSF Bridges Curriculum; ZSFG Residency Innovations. Featuring: Margaret Wheeler, MD; Margo Vener, MD; Catherine R. Lucey, MD; Larissa Thomas, MD
Spotlight: Academy of Medical Educator Faculty Members; SOM Bridges coaches; Emily Silverman, MD
Volume 1, Issue 7, August 2017
ZSFG Innovation Making Its Mark
Main Story: Tackling unconscious bias in resident training; Oncology PLUS program; ARISE program; RAPID program. Featuring: Antonio Gomez, MD; Courtney Broaddus, MD; Anne Kinderman, MD; Leigh Kimberg, MD; Susa Coffey, MD
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM Staff Award winners - Alice Lee, Dawnee Wong, Susie Lau, Peggy Weix; Electronic Health Record contract
Volume 1, Issue 6, July 2017
Chiefs Eager to Lead, Support Residents
Main Story: Every year residency leadership turns to new chief residents who bestow lessons learned
from their own experiences on incoming interns and residents. Th is summer, our 2017-18 chief residents — for Inpatient Medicine, Ambulatory Care, and Quality and Safety — have goals steeped in improving resident well-being
and learning for the Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General.. Featuring: Grant Smith, MD; Tejaswi Kompala, MD; Amanda Johnson, MD; Christy Soran, MD
Spotlight: Larissa Thomas, MD; Binh An Phan, MD; Michele M. Tana, MD; Debra Garcia
Volume 1, Issue 5, June 2017
Main Story: Zuckerberg San Francisco General Department of Medicine’s success is built upon the work of its
employees, hundreds of which are staff members. This month, the DOM recognizes the tremendous — and life-saving work – of its staff . Fulfilling the Department of Medicine’s mission of exceptional clinical, research and
educational work, the staff at ZSFG promotes the ideals of the institution through diverse backgrounds and training. The staff ’s outstanding work is represented by these six individuals. Featuring: Elaine Dekker, Christopher Baker, Tamara Clark, Karla Iniguez, Violet Garcia, Eva Lo
Spotlight: ZSFG DOM Gallup Poll results; DOM STAR Achievement Awards winners at ZSFG - April Marie Gidda, Gato Gourley, Susan Lau, Stephen May, Tessa Napoles, Lila Sheira, Jeanna Waallenta; SPOT Awards
Volume 1, Issue 4, May 2017
Medicine Awards Showcase Talent
Main Story: Every year the Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General celebrates its hard-working, talented and dedicated members through the ZSFG Medicine Service Awards. Th ese awards are an opportunity for the department to express gratitude for faculty commitment to the hospital and department’s
goals. Featuring: Lisa Winston, MD; Antonio Gomez, MD; Seth Goldman, MD; Jeremy Tietjens, MD; Joe Roll, MD; Sharad Jain, MD; Ann Bolger, MD; Christina Wang, PharmD
Spotlight: Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS; Laurence Huang, MD; Binh An Phan, MD; Dean Sheppard, MD
Volume 1, Issue 3, April 2017
Expanding on DOM's Research Success
Main Story: Research is a vital activity at Zuckerberg San Francisco General and fundamental to the
mission of the Department of Medicine. It has fueled the past excellence of the hospital and it
represents tremendous possibilities for the future. Featuring: David Erle, MD; Diane Havlir, MD; Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA
Spotlight: Neeta Thakur, MD; Brian Greenhouse, MD
Volume 1, Issue 3, April 2017 - Appendix
UCSF Rallies for Science & Research
Main Story: With threats of cuts to federal scientific funding, April 22’s Earth Day took a new meaning for those in the science community. At the University of San Francisco Mission Bay campus, a rally and teach-in– deemed Stand Up for Science – gathered hundreds of doctors, researchers and school administrators to affirm the need and significance of science in America. Featuring: Sam Hawgood; Esteban Burchard, MD; Suneil Koliwad, MD
Volume 1, Issue 2, March 2017
Main Story: In recognition of International Women’s Month, the Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General celebrates the contributionsof all our women and devotes this newsletter to a handful of our many extraordinary women in the Department. Five of these women, proclaimed as “Champions” by Dr. Neil Powe, exemplify the world-class work consistently performed by all in research, clinical care and education at ZSFG. Featuring: Elise Riley, PhD; Niharika Dixit, MD; Jinoos Yazdany, MD, MPH; Heather Harris, MD; Priscilla Hsue, MD
Spotlight: Constance B. Wofsy's lasting impact
Volume 1, Issue 1, February 2017
Supervisors Approve Research Building
Main Story: During February’s ceremony at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, San Francisco Mayor
Ed Lee signed legislation approving the construction of the UCSF research and academic building at the hospital. Earlier this month,the building plans received an unanimous vote from the Board of Supervisors. Ward 86 opens Golden Compass Program. CVP celebrates its 10th anniversary. Featuring: Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA; Mayor Ed Lee; Diane Havlir, MD; Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS; Dean Schillinger, MD
Spotlight: Dean Schillinger, MD; Vanessa Thompson, MD; Bryan Greenhouse, MD; Eric Goosby, MD