Senior Lean Consultant, Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy lots of outdoor activities with my husband including hiking, camping, backpacking, snowboarding, and scuba diving. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, traveling to new places, cooking, and baking. I love trying different types of food, especially anything local to an area when I travel.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
I would go back to Iceland and hike up to the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It was a large flat opening at the top of a mountain where you could spin 360 degrees and see snow capped mountains, glaciers, and beautiful green grass rolling hills. I would just hang out up there all day soaking up the beauty of nature.
What advice would you give to a woman entering your field today?
Always push yourself to be the best person you can be in your role and find the people who you can keep as lifelong mentors. It is wonderful to have successful people supporting you and cheering you on throughout your career. Be uplifting to your female...
Research Specialist and Clinical Psychologist, Hellen Diller Cancer Center
What's an issue you think remains overlooked or under-addressed in terms of women in the professional world?
Childcare! The United States lags far behind our peer countries in subsidizing childcare and supporting people with children. This is of course an issue that affects men as well, but at least for now, childcare responsibilities disproportionately fall to women. We need universal paid leave and subsidized, reliable, and affordable childcare for women to fully reach their professional and personal potential.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
I’d go back in time and just spend one more regular day with my mom.
What brought you to healthcare? Can you tell us about your professional journey?
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology during a recession, I struggled to find work that was fulfilling and secure. So, I went to graduate school and earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, leading me to a fulfilling career at UCSF for the past 20 years. I was...
Director, Pharmacy Operations
What do you like to do outside of work?
Anything outside! Golfing, hiking, and exploring new neighborhoods are a few of my favorites.
Why did you decide to join the Women of UCSF Health's Committee?
Having a group of women who are dedicated to supporting each other and paving the way for future women in healthcare is a group I am proud to be a part of. I’m excited to have the opportunity to highlight my colleague’s successes and build professional relationships with other Women of UCSF Health!
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
I am our System Wide Pharmacy Operations Director. A few favorite parts about my job are the amazing people I get to work with every day, collaborating with many other departments and campuses daily, and implementing change that sets new standards for UCSF and our pharmacy profession.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career?
Don’t be afraid of the ideas and paths that scare you. They often provide the most...
Senior Quality & Safety Program Manager, Cancer Center Administration
What do you like to do outside of work?
I like going to delicious places to eat with my family and sharing my curiosity for new food with my kids.
What's an issue you think remains overlooked or under-addressed in terms of women in the professional world?
Underestimation of capacity and work ethic by shear virtue of having a family.
What advice would you give to a woman entering your field today?
Be nothing less than your authentic, fierce self. Lead with love and your unique strength.
What’s a favorite movie or TV Show you’ve watched recently?
Mission Impossible
Why did you decide to join the Women of UCSF Health's Committee?
I joined the Women of UCSF Health’s Committee because I think it important that women at UCSF are committed to elevating and...
Educational Liason, Outpatient Services
What do you like to do outside of work?
I joined a group of amazing women, who come from a variety of backgrounds. We gather regularly to talk about books, have brunch, go on trips; and discuss empowering women. The group was started by a woman-owned small business that saw the need for women to support each other in a way that made them think about their lives and the impact they have on others. I never knew how much I needed to meet a group of women like this until I met them!
What’s on your reading list?
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
The Last Confessions of Sylvia P. by Lee Kravetz
Live with Your Heart Wide Open by Steve Flowers and Bob Stahl
Where the Children Take Us by Zain E. Asher
Why did you decide to join the Women of UCSF Health's Committee?
...
Clinical Research Management Analyst, Office of Clinical Trial Activation
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
A beach vacation, anywhere, anytime!
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
Clinical Research Management Analyst – it is great to be working behind the scenes to make clinical research work at UCSF.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career?
Negotiate your salary!
Executive Director, Women's Health, Faculty Practice Office
Anais' Bio:
I emigrated from Mexico at a very young age. I was met with barriers from having to learn English to figuring out how to pay for college. At 18, using my savings, I completed a Medical Assistant program which started me on a journey into healthcare. I will never forget the moment I stepped foot into the 400 ACC building at Parnassus and how privileged I felt to be there. I was given the opportunity to work in Ambulatory at DGIM as a Per-Diem Medical Assistant. With the amazing leadership and the encouragement from the exceptional Physicians and Nurse Managers I worked with, I continued my education while working full-time. Within a few years I became the clinic's Nurse Supervisor, but it did not end there. The Administrative Director at the time, Jason Selinger, was a great mentor who pushed me to continue my career growth. I applied to Women’s Health and, to my excitement, was hired as a Practice Manager. After a few years, Erica Rajabi, the Director at the time, gave me the opportunity to report to her as the Administrative Director for OBGYN. I have never been more in awe of someone so dedicated who continuously inspires me to be better. Now, 17 years from when I started, I am the Director of Women’s Health. There is never a day that I do not feel like I’ve lived a Cinderella story. It was all due to the incredible...