Assistant Professor, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

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

 "Amanda is absolutely committed to maternal mental health and builds strong partnerships across psychiatry, OB, and the community. She is amazing."

  - Christina Mangurian, MD, MAS, Professor, Psychiatry

 Amanda's Bio:

I started at UCSF as a medical student in 2006 (I still have my acceptance letter in a plastic sleeve - this says a lot as I am notorious for throwing most things away) and stayed for an extra year to do a Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellowship. After graduating in 2011, I matched at Stanford for residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology and then fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. When I was interviewing for jobs after fellowship, I felt like I was returning home the day I interviewed at UCSF and was thrilled to accept a faculty position in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. My primary clinical location is at Mission Bay where I care for patients with complicated pregnancies, particularly those with neurologic disorders. In addition to my clinical role, I am the Medical Director of Perinatal Mental health and co-direct our Perinatal Wellness Program which provides embedded mental health services to pregnant people receiving perinatal care at UCSF. It is an honor to be part of this institution and Women’s Health at UCSF.

Do you have a favorite song?  

Currently, my favorite song is “The Mother” by Brandi Carlile. I love this beautiful tribute to motherhood because it speaks to the grit that parenting requires, and celebrates LGBT families like my own. As for an anthem? “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.

What’s a favorite movie or TV Show you’ve watched recently?

I recently started the Netflix series Grace and Frankie. The storylines and characters are hilarious yet poignant and the acting, especially by Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, is amazing.

What’s on your reading list?

You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience, edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown.

What advice would you give yourself early on in your career? To a woman entering your field today?

I wish I had recognized the importance of nurturing different mentoring relationships earlier in my career. It was not until fellowship that I came to appreciate that the mentor-mentee relationship is a two-way street, and requires effort from both parties to flourish. Being a good mentee is just as critical as being a good mentor. Additionally, it took me a long time to figure out the importance of having different mentors for different aspects of my life. We all need mentors who can guide us in our clinical work, research endeavors, educational pursuits, and personal lives. Most importantly, we need to identify mentors we can trust with our stories and be our full selves with. To the women coming up in the world: Own your story and find mentors who will support and champion you as you write it.

Meet other outstanding women of UCSF Health through Our Spotlight.