Stroke Program Coordinator, Neurosciences Service Line
Rebecca's Bio:
My friends call me Bex or Becca. Born and raised in SF, I found myself drawn to advocacy and had the dream of helping others. My personal health experience guided my path into nursing and into the stroke coordinator role. I have been a RN over 10 years now and began my career at Mills-Peninsula in Burlingame psych emergency then trained and worked in the Emergency department while obtaining my MSN in Clinical Nurse Leadership at University of San Francisco. I have worked various roles such as the assistant clinical manager of behavioral health at Stanford, adjunct instructor for Samuel Merritt EL-MSN program, and charge nurse in urgent care with PAMF Sutter and the was former stroke coordinator for Alameda Health. I am happy to be moving back to the bay area with my 2-year-old daughter and husband to be closer to family. My favorite tv series is the office and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. My favorite books are Pride and Prejudice and LOTR. Prior to becoming a mom my favorite hobbies included bowling and traveling. I look forward to working with and learning from this team. I am constantly learning and trying to improve so please do not hesitate to let me know how I can assist you as a team member and if there are any areas of opportunity for myself.
What has been an important success in your career? Have you had a key breakthrough moment?
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Nurse Manager, Pediatric Surgical Specialties
Lauren's Bio:
Hello! I am originally from Philadelphia and moved to the West Coast 8 years ago. First for the opening of the Pediatric Hospital at Mission Bay, then Portland, Oregon. I returned to the Bay Area right at the beginning of 2020 (..womp womp..)
My earliest background is in Pediatric ICU as a nurse. I’ve also worked in Global Medicine Business Operations and Care Coordination. I was previously the Neurotrauma Program Coordinator in BCH Oakland and am now the manager of Pediatric Surgical Specialties at Mission Bay.
Can you tell us about an important struggle you have overcome in your career?
I have learned a lot in every position I have ever taken, but it was only once I got older that I gave myself the permission to leave a situation that wasn’t fulfilling me. I’ve always been so worried about “how it will look” or if someone may think I am a failure, but I realized that I am most productive and successful when I am happy and content in my job. And sometimes that means side-steps…instead of always the next step ahead.
What’s on your reading...
Assistant Director, Ambulatory Administration
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
I love to travel and explore new places. I’m all in for a new experience. But one of my favorite places on the planet is Big Sur. It’s local, convenient and a great place to clear the mind. It never disappoints.
What has been an important success in your career? Have you had a key breakthrough moment?
My breakthrough moments have primarily occurred when I’ve taken a risk. For example, pursuing opportunities that interest me when I was uncertain that I was the right person, or I felt I was missing one skill from the 99 listed. When I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and taken the risk, I’ve usually had a breakthrough.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career?
- Get comfortable with your strengths and the value you bring.
- Ask for what you want. ...
Associate Director of Talent Acquisition, Human Resources
Jessica's Bio:
Jessica has an MBA from Golden Gate University, Yale School of Management Executive Education, LEAN Fundamentals Certified Practitioner and received Recruiter Certification from LinkedIn and Workforce Planning from the Lean Human Capital Institute. She is responsible for leading a team of forty talent scouts that assist UCSF and UCSF Health in achieving its mission to leading revolutions in health worldwide by recruiting top talent. She is the Co-Director of Advancing Excellence in Staff Recruitment supporting UCSF’s Anti-Racism Initiative. She also partners with several community programs focused on employment equity and inclusion. Jessica serves as a Board Member at San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development Information and Communications Technology Committee, Bay Area Council Gender, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s Job Forum, and Healthcare Anchor Network focusing on tackling the underlying economic and racial disparities in public health.
She is currently active in several committees at the University of California San Francisco focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Select memberships include Differences Matter, Eliminating Workforce Disparities, Council on Campus Climate, Culture, and Inclusion (4CI), DCIP Recruitment and Hiring...
Administrative Officer, Department of Quality and Patient Safety
Connie's Bio:
I was born and raised in Berkeley, California. I went to college in Washington State and also spent eight years in Houston, Texas. I am happy to be back in the east bay, where I live with my husband, 3-year-old son and our dog. I have worked in the legal field, non-profit field, and joined UCSF seven years ago and have been here ever since!
What do you like to do outside of work?
In my free time outside of work, I enjoy chasing after my 3-year-old son, going to the beach, and going to concerts.
What's an issue you think remains overlooked or under-addressed in terms of women in the professional world?
The work/life balance issues that women (particularly mothers) face today is the professional world is an important and under-addressed issue.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
Greece
What brought you to healthcare?...
Speech-language Pathologist, Craniofacial Department
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
I am a speech-language pathologist on the craniofacial team at Oakland Children’s hospital. My favorite part of this role is providing weekly speech therapy to help patients improve their communication. Speech therapy is meant to be fun and motivating for children so sessions can get a bit goofy and are tailored to fit the child’s interests. It’s also a really special way to develop relationships with the entire family and provide support through the triumphs and struggles of the therapy process.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
I would go to Barbieland.
What’s a favorite movie or TV Show you’ve watched recently?
I’ve been enjoying the TV show Heartstopper recently.
Why did you decide to join Women of UCSF’s team of volunteers?
...
Director of Grant Management, Institute for Global Health Sciences
Heidi's Bio:
I work to improve the operational and administrative efficiencies within the Institute for Global Health Sciences at UCSF where we strive to reduce health inequities. I champion a team of professionals who support the financial management of global health initiatives impacting pandemic preparedness and response, HIV, malaria, and maternal and child health. I believe I have a unique role in creating change within the Institute through my engagement in diversity, equity, inclusion, wellness and community.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go?
I’d visit my site in Paraguay where I was a Peace Corps volunteer.
What’s on your reading list?
I’ve been reading mostly non-fiction lately. On my stack is Endemic: A Post-Pandemic Playbook by Monica Gandhi and Hella Town: Oakland’s History of Development and Disruption by Mitchell Schwarzer. We’ll be discussing Dr. Gandhi’s book at the end of the month at the Institute for Global Health Science’s Book Club.
Anything you are excited about – professionally or otherwise?
I get excited about bringing people together both personally and professionally. I’m excited about the pre-trick or treating Halloween party we will have with our neighbors and the volunteer event I am planning for my department with Project Open Hand in November.
Why did you decide to join the Women of UCSF...
Stroke Program Manager, Neuroscience Service Line
What do you like to do outside of work?
Anything that makes my dog happy – hikes and long walks in the Presidio, Fort Funston, etc. I also love going to stand-up comedy shows – you can probably find me at Cobb’s or Punchline on most weekends.
What advice would you give to a woman entering your field today?
Don’t be afraid to speak up! Voice your opinions, share your ideas during meetings, and never forget to advocate for yourself and celebrate your achievements.
What brought you to healthcare? Can you tell us about your professional journey?
After getting my degree in psychology, I first worked on a mobile mental health crisis team in Tucson, AZ. This ended up leading me to a research management role in Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UCLA. The combination of my intrigue in the medical field and the discovery of the skills I possessed in operations made me realize that roles in Healthcare Management were the most appealing to me. I have now been at UCSF Health for nearly 6 years - from managing...
Director, Telehealth Programs, Telehealth Resource Center
Here is what Linda’s nominator had to say about her:
“Linda and I have worked together several times over the last few years as UCSF's telehealth strategy transformed during covid and continues to mature in new strategic ways. She is fun to work with and always looking for creative ways to add value to our patients, providers, and staff. Most recently we have served on a national Telehealth group through the AAMC, and she has quickly become a voice of innovation with them as well.”
Nominator: Bess Wildman
Linda's Bio:
I joined UCSF in 2014 as the founding Director of Telehealth. My team and I have implemented programs for ambulatory video visits, online remote second opinions, and inpatient care both within UCSF hospitals and clinics and with our affiliates. It has been very exciting to see UCSF go from a health system that did not do telehealth at all to being a leader in the field, especially among academic medical centers.
What has been an important success in your career?
I will always be proud of the speed at which my team and I were able to expand use of video visits in response to COVID in March of 2020, and in the way our providers and clinics have maintained much of that growth. In February of that year, we had done 3600 video visits, which was record-breaking for us, and very exciting! In April, we did over 66,000. Even now, with the worst of COVID behind us, UCSF providers do about...
Patient Experience Business Partner, Division of Health Experience Excellence
Here is what Marlene’s nominator had to say about her:
“Amy is an incredibly dedicated member of the UCSF community. She was my manager several years ago when I first started at UCSF, and she supported me in my professional growth and development, which has led me to an amazing role now. Years later, I still think back to my time reporting to her and how fortunate I was to have her as a manager and mentor. UCSF is most certainly a better place because Amy is here, and I hope her hard work, commitment, and incredible work ethic are recognized across the institution. Not only is Amy an incredible employee, but she is also an incredible woman with so much to give. She puts others - especially her staff and patients! - first and is an inspiration to so many, especially. To boot, she's a great baker and lots of fun. :)”
Nominator: Sara Beck
Amy's Bio:
My journey at UCSF started in Patient Relations and I have a strong belief that were it possible to do so, every single employee should spend 2 weeks to a month in that department. It’s a HUGE learning experience about what matters to...