Ambulatory Executive Medical Director for Women’s Health, Assistant Professor, Department of Obsterics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Overview of journey at UCSF:
I moved to San Francisco with my husband and two young children after finishing Fellowship at Yale, never having lived on the West Coast. We didn't know what to expect, but we knew we'd love it here. I began, as all Junior Faculty does in their first job, nervous. But with the support of a strong Division Chief, Dr. Mary Norton, I grew and quickly gained the necessary confidence and institutional knowledge needed to succeed in this large system. There were some shifts in Ambulatory leadership, and I leaped at the opportunity to be the Medical Director of Obstetrics at the outpatient clinical site at Mission Bay. Then, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, teamed up with Dr. Dana Gossett to help in the more broad role of Interim Ambulatory Executive Medical Director (AEMD) for Women's Health. I am now the AEMD and help support the diverse Divisions, Faculty and staff of OB/GYN and Reproductive Sciences in the outpatient setting. Every day, I work alongside an amazing administrative dyad partner, Anais Ryken, who tirelessly strives to improve our services, safety and patient experience, but more importantly, shares the same passion for Women's Health and the ever-growing patient population we serve. I'm very thankful my family made the difficult decision to move cross-country; as after just a few years, the Bay Area is most definitely "home", both...
Adjunct Instructor, Pathology
Overview of journey at UCSF:
I came to UCSF for residency in Anatomic Pathology as part of the Physician-Scientist Pathway and completed post-graduate clinical training with fellowships in Surgical Pathology and Gastrointestinal/Hepatobiliary Pathology. Following clinical training, I completed postdoctoral research in stem cell and regenerative biology here at UCSF with Robert Blelloch at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research and have accepted an early career faculty position as an Instructor as I prepare to launch as an independent investigator. As a physician-scientist and board-certified pathologist, my clinical interests are primarily in human liver pathobiology and diagnostics for precision-based medicine and regenerative therapies. As a stem cell biologist, my basic science research interests are in dissecting the molecular networks that fine-tune the wiring and re-wiring of cell fates, leveraging genome engineering, quantitative cell biology, single-cell RNA sequencing, imaging, and cytometry to bring us closer to cell-based regenerative therapeutic solutions. In 2020, I founded and now continue to lead the UCSF Women Physician-Scientists Supergroup – a group of now over 70 physician-scientists in 14 clinical departments-- that helps to support, celebrate, and advocate for women physician-scientists bridging science and medicine. Through this group I’ve been able to get to know and learn from fantastic colleagues along similar career paths at...
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine
Here is what Iris' nominator had to say about her:
"Iris is a remarkable mentor and force for improvement in our clinic and fellowship. She is generous in identifying opportunities for fellows to grow and projects to join, while balancing their wellness and helping them stay true to their own career goals. She models how to build collaborations within teams and between different departments. She also encourages us to use Lean and systems improvement, and has helped our clinic evolve and be resilient in our current challenging times."
- LuLu Tsao, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine
Iris' Bio:
When I started at UCSF, I was excited to get involved in quality improvement and medical education. I’ve strived to establish drug allergy testing and desensitization at UCSF and we now have a drug allergy testing clinic where we routinely do allergy testing for antibiotics, aspirin/NSAIDs, contrast, local and general anesthetics,...
Communication and Engagement Manager, Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor
Here is what Kim's nominator had to say about her:
“Kim LaPean is an ally for all women of color. She always advocates for those who are not typically seen or heard. She makes space for women of color and sponsors us when we are not in the room. Kim is an advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She definitely should be celebrated!"
- Ailene Estalilla, Organizational Development Manager Finance, Administration & Operations
Kim's Bio:
I joined UCSF Finance & Administration as their first communications and engagement manager in January 2018. My role is to support internal communication and employee engagement within the Senior Vice Chancellor’s office, as well as support a network of department communicators. Before that, I spent 14 years at the University of California, Berkeley in communications roles for the health center and Student Affairs.
What’s on your reading list?
I’m an avid reader but I’ve had a hard time...
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...
Human Factor Designer, Clinical Innovation Center
Here is what Jan's nominator had to say about her:
“I'm nominating Jan for the Spotlight feature for a variety of reasons, mostly because I want EVERYONE to know how important her work is to our overall mission at UCSF. Given all of the life transforming work happening at UCSF on a daily basis, our patients - and even we can sometimes get lost in systems and process that may be overly burdensome and, ultimately, undermine outcomes of care and experience. What to do about that? Engage a service designer, like Jan! I met Jan a few years back when she worked with a multidisciplinary team on the Delirium Reduction project at Moffitt-Long. I was intrigued by her role (what's a "Service Designer"?) and quickly appreciated her skills ability to help clinicians work better together to prevent harms of delirium for hospitalized adults. Since then, we've interfaced on other multidisciplinary projects (like Integrated Spine Service and Patient Mobility) and I always appreciate her perspective, ideas, and ways of communicating. A few years later, I sought out her expertise when I considered developing my knowledge and skill in human centered design. Jan was generous with her time and offered ways for me to connect with the growing community at UCSF/ZSFG. Through her professional "lens", she brings empathy and curiosity to the important clinical...
Operations Manager, Center for Nursing Excellence and Innovation
What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy anything food related - cooking, eating, watching people cook, going to grocery stores to explore new produce or ingredients. I also like spending time with my toddler and three dogs.
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
I work at the Center for Nursing Excellence and Innovation, a support department for the Department of Nursing, as an Administrative Analyst. My role grants me access to see how the decisions my department makes a direct impact on the nurses at the bedside. That could be the support of an Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship program, partnering with wound care nurses and skin champions, and plan for the annual Nursing Inquiry Conference - all these things make me feel as though I am directly supporting our nurses who are caring for our patient population every day.
Can you tell us about an important struggle you have overcome in your career?
I entered the workforce at a time when many of my peers would balk at my opinions or ideas due to my age. Many of my recommendations were dismissed because my peers or leadership would see my ideas as being disruptions rather than process improvements. It took a lot of work to prove that my ideas were valid and important and now I am in a place in my career where many seek for my opinion.
What advice would you give to a woman entering...
Senior Project Manager, Women’s Health and Adult Services
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending quality time with my two daughters (1yo and 10yo). We particularly love watching movies and exploring the many hidden hiking trails in our neighborhood with our Goldendoodle, Archie. I enjoy acrylic pouring, baking, and making custom gifts for the people I love.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
Bora Bora, Tahiti. We planned to babymoon in Bora Bora but unfortunately those plans were cancelled due to Covid.
Can you tell us about an important role model or mentor in your life?
Erica Rajabi is the Vice President for Women’s Health and Adult Services at Mission Bay. I’ll never forget the first time I met Erica at the Mt. Zion campus and the overwhelming feeling of “I would absolutely love to work and learn from her”. Erica is a quintessential human being, an exceptional leader and has truly been such a pilar and instrumental mentor in my life. I am beyond privileged to learn something new from her every day, directly and indirectly. Under Erica’s leadership she has helped me harness my potential and advance my dexterity to the best of my ability. Her daily work ethic and true commitment to quality work is immensely contagious and inspires me to perform to the best of my capability. It is through her support and guidance that I am motivated to push myself beyond what I think I can every single day. I read a quote...