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Our Stories

Storytelling is what connects and brings us together. So let’s celebrate, inspire and empower each other by sharing our stories.

December 3, 2024

Associate Director, Nutrition & Food Services Mission Bay

Leila's Bio 

I started my healthcare career when I joined the Nutrition & Food Services (NFS) team in 2010. I obtained my undergraduate degree from UC Irvine, followed by my master’s degree in nutritional science from Cal State Long Beach, and credentials as a Registered Dietitian. Fresh out of graduate school and excited to begin my career in nutrition, I joined UCSF as a Nutrition & Procurement Supervisor. In this role I oversaw food & supply purchasing and developed my people management skills. I was involved in menu planning, nutritional analysis, and contributing to our sustainability goals. I have grown within our department in various leadership roles each providing me opportunities to further my career goals, think outside the box when faced with obstacles, and to be an advocate for my team and our patients. I helped implement and enhance our Room Service Dining program. This allows patients to select the foods they want from our robust menu and have it delivered to them at a time that is ideal, which has resulted in an overall better patient experience and improved nutrition outcomes. During my time as Patient Food Service Manager, I had the unique opportunity to help open the Mission Bay hospital location and contributed to its ongoing success.

Currently as the Associate Director for Nutrition & Food Services at Mission Bay, I have the pleasure of collaborating with an amazing team, improving food systems to adapt to the ever-changing...

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December 3, 2024

Operations Manager, Neurosciences Service Line

Jessica's Bio  

Jessica is a San Francisco native and is thrilled to be back in the Bay Area after living and working in Houston, Texas for several years. Jessica started her healthcare career as a Research Coordinator in health services research on an interdisciplinary team at the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt), at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Working with this team sparked her interest in health IT, patient safety, and healthcare delivery. In this role she learned how to work cohesively with a multidisciplinary team, something that has stayed with her throughout her career in both research and operations. Jessica also had the opportunity to contribute to several papers and grants, present abstracts at conferences, and publish a first-author publication on patient portals and health apps. While working as a Research Coordinator, she returned to graduate school for her MPH in Healthcare Management from the University of Texas-Houston School of Public Health. After finishing her MPH, she completed an Administrative Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine. During her fellowship Jessica had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects with several departments including the COVID Incident Command Center. Following her fellowship, she served as the Business Operations Manager for Abdominal Transplant in the Department of Surgery and as the Senior Business Operations Manager for the Department of...

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December 3, 2024

Vice President of Health IT Operations, UCSF Health

Here is what Heidi’s nominator had to say about her:

Heidi Collins, VP of Health IT Operations is an influential and transformative leader who truly leads by example. She has always supported diversity and equity within her team and was one of the first executive sponsors of the clinical systems and health informatics anti-racism committee. She is extremely knowledgeable and effective and has led several complex IT initiatives to success with her unique ability to empower her team. I have always admired how she handles challenges with ease, can provide sound guidance and advice, and can motivate her team to use their talents and strengths to achieve their goals.

Nominated by: Sana Sweis

Heidi’s Bio

I have 25 years of experience as a healthcare administrator. The first half of my career was in finance and operations at the Mass General Brigham health system in Massachusetts. My final role there was as the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Physician Services for Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

I returned to California and began working for UCSF 12 years ago, starting as the Business Applications IT Director, just one month before the enterprise-wide APeX Electronic Health Record go-live. In 2015, I was promoted to Vice President of Clinical Systems, overseeing the technology that supports care delivery, including expanding Epic across...

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October 30, 2024

Program Manager, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

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

“She is an incredibly hard worker, warm, inclusive, and with deep knowledge of UCSF.  She has been here for over 15y and serves as my program manager, overseeing ARCHES, my public psychiatry fellowship, and my lab.  EVERYONE who meets her appreciates her congeniality, outstanding communication, and capacity to support all members of our community.  She is a star!”

Nominated by: Christina Mangurian, MD, MAS

Claudine's Bio

I began my career at the San Francisco VA Medical Center as the Lab Manager for the Behavioral Medicine Research Center, and in 2008 I joined the UCSF Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences as a Senior Clinical Research Coordinator for the Over-60 Program. I currently serve as the Program Manager for the PReMIUM Lab and the ARCHES Program under the leadership of Vice Dean Christina Mangurian, MD, MAS. In my 16 years at UCSF, I have led programs and initiatives with a singular mission: improving access to health care and mental health services for historically excluded communities. I have been so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside extraordinary faculty,...

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October 1, 2024

Music Therapist Board Certified BCH Oakland Hematology/Oncology & Surgical

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

“Lauren is a credit to the field of music therapy. She is an excellent clinician who makes a meaningful difference with her patients in HEM/ONC. Her involvement in BCHO's work towards anti-racist practice is excellent. She regularly speaks on the intersection of therapy, identity, and navigating systems to groups of various backgrounds. Lauren is the "go-to" for interviews and presentations. She is truly changing the way clinical work is done at Children's Oakland and within the profession of music therapy.” 

Nominated by: Rebecca Hames 

 

 

Lauren's Bio: 

Lauren has worked in the music therapy profession for 11+ years, gaining experience in pediatrics, mental health, special education, and palliative/hospice.  Prior to children's she pioneered music therapy services at a variety of Bay Area pediatric units including work in private practice. Her...

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October 1, 2024

 Director, Neurological Surgery

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

"Janice is relentless in her pursuit of building community and partnerships which foster diversity and inclusion for her team and the patients we serve with the goal of leveraging their voice through advocacy and allyship. Outside of UCSF, Janice is a CASA volunteer and champions children in foster care."

Nominated by: Gita Patel 

Janice's Bio

I started my career in healthcare almost 25 years ago at Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. I enjoyed many roles as a Pediatric ICU Nurse, Hematology/Oncology Nurse Practitioner, and Heart Center Service Line Director. I joined the UCSF Parnassus Team in 2019 and was the Admin. Director for the Urology Faculty Practice, Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, and General Surgery. For the past 3 years I have been thrilled to be a part of the Neurosurgery family.  The opportunity to be on the Neurosurgery team fills me with excitement as it allows me to shape the future of the department, spearhead critical initiatives, and collaborate with top-tier Neurosurgeons, Neuro-Oncologists, staff, and dedicated managers. My...

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August 30, 2024

Stroke Program Coordinator, Department of Neurosciences

Here's what Rebecca's nominator had to say about her:

“I have had the pleasure to work with Rebecca on multiple occasions. Most recently we were able to organize a UCSF/ZSFG stroke community event providing stroke education and blood pressure readings to the community. We rallied 28 volunteers and were able to touch over 150 persons at the Alamany Farmers market. Rebecca gives her all and is such a collaborative, kind, spirit.  She is an unsung hero.”

Nominated by: Sara Cole

“She goes above and beyond in all that she does. She took me under her wing and mentored me. I have seen her give 110% to her patients, peers and the stroke program. No one works harder or cares as much as her.”

Nominated by: David Yablonsky

Rebecca's Bio

Rebecca Hidalgo Salomon is an advocate and a dedicated leader within the UCSF Health community, she is committed to advancing patient care and driving meaningful change. Rebecca has been at UCSF for just over two years, where she has thoroughly enjoyed her role in the Stroke Program. Rebecca’s role involves leading initiatives to enhance stroke care, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving improvements in patient outcomes. A significant part of her work includes spearheading process improvement LEAN initiatives, fostering innovation, elevating care standards, and cultivating a collaborative environment...

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August 30, 2024

 Hospital Assistant III, Neuroendovascular Surgery (NES)

Here's what Beatrice's nominator had to say about her:

Per Dr. Steven Hetts & NES attendees: Beatrice is extremely conscientious, caring, and patient oriented. She quickly achieves rapport with patients and their family members, making them feel comfortable in the health care setting. She is a commensurate team player, patiently working with our nurses, technologists, nurse practitioners, office staff, and physicians in a very busy and complex service environment.

From Alpana & NES Nurse & Technologist team: Beatrice consistently and effortlessly embodies the UCSF PRIDE values as a hospital assistant. Her unwavering dedication to her role and her exceptional work ethic are a testament to her deep commitment to UCSF's mission. Every interaction she has with patients and colleagues is marked by a profound sense of Professionalism and Respect. Whether she is assisting a patient or offering support to a fellow team member, Beatrice radiates a warmth and kindness that elevates the atmosphere around her.

Her Initiative is one of her most remarkable qualities. Beatrice never waits to be asked – she instinctively knows where her help is needed and is quick to step in. From ensuring that patients are comfortable to anticipating the needs of her colleagues, she goes above and beyond, always willing to take on more for the betterment of those around her.

Beatrice's compassion and empathy are deeply...

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August 2, 2024

Pediatric Infection Preventionist

Bio:

Carolyn Caughell brings over a decade of expertise to her role as a Pediatric Infection Preventionist (IP) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). During her tenure spanning 12 years at UCSF, she has been a lead Pediatric IP for Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco.  Collaborating closely with medical and hospital leadership, Carolyn has helped implement the best infection prevention protocols.  She is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of patient care and adherence to evidence-based practices and published guidelines.  Specifically, Carolyn has focused on pediatric surgical site infection (SSI) prevention and the meticulous reprocessing of reusable medical equipment, consistently aligning procedures with manufacturer’s instructions for use (MIFUs).   Before working in Infection Control, she worked at Children’s Hospital, Oakland, CA within their Hospital Research Institute and as a Neonatal Nurse in the NICU.  

 

Carolyn is deeply engaged in the fields of infection prevention and public health, holding active memberships in both SHEA and APIC. Her commitment to advancing these causes is evident through her roles, including serving on the SHEA Public Policy & Government Affairs Committee (PPGA) and the CDPH Healthcare-Associated Infection...

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August 2, 2024

 

 

Chief of Staff UCSF Police Department

Here's what Ailene's nominator had to say about her:

"Ailene has worked tirelessly to improve the UCSF environment, in her role supporting campus safety initiatives and beyond her role on equity, inclusion and belonging. She's lighting the path to bring restorative justice to our community and helping to tear down systems that get in the way. Her passion is inspiring!”

Nominated by: Kim LaPean 

Ailene's Bio

Ailene Estalilla is an advocate, problem-solver and strategist.  In her current role as Chief of Staff and Director of Compliance for the UCSF Police Department, Ailene is responsible for strategic, operational and cultural agendas calling for considerable changes in policing and public safety for UCSF.  As a part of the leadership team, her most important objective is shaping a healthy, engaging, inclusive and high performing culture.  In 2021, Ailene led the inaugural Vendor Diversity Event for UCSF Real Estate, laying a foundation for Real Estate’s commitment to their current supplier diversity program.  She also created the first ever Job Readiness Program for the Security Services Division of the Police Department, partnering with non-profit organizations in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco.   

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