Vice President, Clinical Services, Office of the COO

Here is what Toni's nominators had to say about her: 

Toni leads with vision, but it’s her unassuming, engaging, and grounded presence that sets her apart. As VP of Clinical Services, she has helped build and lead the Patient Capacity Management Center into a systemwide nerve center that strengthened patient flow, safety, and access across UCSF Health. What truly sets Toni apart is how she pairs high-level strategy with investment in the people who keep the system moving.

In Radiology, we’ve experienced that impact firsthand. Toni has pushed us beyond what we thought was achievable, especially in a season where constraints and budget pressures can make progress feel invisible. She didn’t just set the bar higher; she worked alongside us to remove barriers where she could and to resource the work in practical ways. She often seemed to intuit what would unlock momentum: the right support, the right space to pilot an idea, the right connection, the right nudge. Even when outcomes have been uneven or hard to feel day to…

Ria Tandon is a junior in high school and a certified breath coach in pranayama, an ancient breathwork system from India. She was first introduced to pranayama through her father, who turned to ancient Eastern medicine after struggling for years with a rare medical condition. Through Ayurveda, meditation, and pranayama, he experienced profound improvements in his health. Watching his journey and transformation inspired Ria to explore these practices more deeply herself.

In seventh grade, Ria and her father completed a pranayama teacher training together with his teacher in India. Since then, she has maintained a consistent breathwork practice and has experienced significant mental and physical benefits. Like many teens, Ria faced stress and anxiety, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning. Pranayama became a powerful tool that helped her stay calm, focused, and resilient during challenging times.

As a lacrosse player, she has also seen measurable improvements in her athletic performance and endurance through breathwork. Inspired by the positive impact pranayama has had on both her father’s health and her own life, Ria is passionate about sharing this practice…

Nancy Pargot, a Fidelity Workplace Financial Consultant, has more than 19 years with the company and has been dedicated to the University of California since 2011. She was previously an account executive for Fidelity’s Personal and Workplace Investing Group. A registered securities representative, Nancy holds a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in business from Washington University in St. Louis.

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Christine B. Chung, MD is a Professor of Radiology and Chair of the Department of Radiology at UC San Diego. A clinical translational researcher and director of UCSD’s Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Group, Dr. Chung has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and edited three textbooks in musculoskeletal radiology. She has a strong track record of NIH and VA funding and has been recognized with numerous honors, including the President’s Medal of the International Skeletal Society—where she became the second female president in its 50-year history—and the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy for Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research, awarded to faculty in the top 10% of the field.

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Regulatory Specialist, Department of Regulatory Affairs

Here is what Sara's nominator had to say about her: 

Sara continued to go above and beyond to ensure regulatory compliance. For years, Sara has helped guide teams to ensure accreditation. We could not have maintained our stroke certification without her. 

Nominated by: Rebecca Hidalgo Salomon

Sara's Bio:  

I began my career as an ICU nurse and later transitioned into the PACU, drawn to the intense, high-acuity critical care environments and the opportunity to care for patients in their most vulnerable moments. Those experiences taught me the importance of reliable systems, teamwork, communication, and consistent workflows in supporting staff under pressure. I later stepped into leadership as a nurse manager, where my passion shifted from individual patient care to empowering our teams and creating a supportive environment for staff to thrive. 

My journey ultimately led me into regulatory, where I now focus on strengthening organizational readiness, safety, and compliance. At UCSF, I’ve collaborated with various departments to streamline processes…

Registered Nurse, UCSF Interventional Pulmonary Clinic at Mount Zion 

Here is what Maureen's nominators had to say about her:

Maureen is THE FACE of a UCSF nurse! She is incredible from her clinical knowledge to her advocacy for patients, fellow staff (clinical and administrative), to the doctors she works for. She thinks about everything from the macro to the micro level of details and how everything can work together to improve care for patients. Her fierce passion for healthcare creates an environment where you are being elevated to be the best you can. She coordinates seamlessly with many different disciplines and is resourceful to finding answers for patients and for staff should we need. At the core, she is such a beautiful human soul that deserves to be spotlighted!

Nominated by: Jennie Vu

I am nominating her because she is an exceptional nurse who consistently goes above and beyond for her patients. She always puts their needs first, treating each person with kindness, respect, and genuine compassion. Her ability to listen, comfort, and provide thoughtful care makes a real difference in the lives of those she serves. She not only…

Senior Director, Patient Care Services, UCSF Health Stanyan & Hyde Hospitals 

Here is what Patricia's nominator had to say about her:

Patricia is an exceptional leader and advocate for nursing. She has been integral to the SMSF acquisition and integration into UCSF Health. Her positivity, thoughtful approach, and visibility during the transition and beyond has been essential to maintain hospital operations. During this complex transition, she has continued to mentor and grow frontline leaders, support quality, and maintain engagement from all levels of staff. She leads with her heart and her efforts deserve recognition!

Nominated by: Tristin Penland

Patricia’s Bio:

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Radiology Administrative Supervisor, Department of Radiology

Here is what Whitney's nominator had to say about her:

Whitney Higbee embodies leadership, resilience, and excellence at UCSF Radiology. As the Radiology Admin Manager, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring that operations run seamlessly, balancing complex administrative demands with a people-…

Associate Director of Clinical Operations, UCSF Cancer Services on the Peninsula

Here is what Maritess's nominator had to say about her:

I would like to nominate Tess for her extraordinary leadership accomplishments within our team. She is an incredible leader, always placing exceptional patient care at the forefront while somehow managing to also maintain the wellbeing of her staff, in all the forms that looks. She is the living example of UCSF PRIDE Values. Since joining the Peninsula team a short several months ago, she has evolved clinical operations, opened a second infusion center, and recruited for a dozen positions. With the collaboration of her leadership team, she has endured all the challenges put forth on this venture including but not limited to strikes, power outages, and unique staffing challenges. She is a mentor for future nurse leaders. Tess is always smiling on even the hardest of days. I truly cannot think of anyone more deserving of this spotlight!

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Associate Professor of Radiology | Chief, Breast Imaging Division

UCSF Department of Radiology

Here is what Tatiana's nominator had to say about her:

I’m pleased to nominate Dr. Tatiana Kelil for the Women of UCSF spotlight. Dr. Kelil is Associate Professor in Radiology and interim Division Chief for Breast Imaging at UCSF. She brings together clinical excellence, innovation, and a clear dedication to patient care.

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