Director, Revenue Management
Here is what Patience’s nominator had to say about her:
“Patience continuously impresses me with the number of initiatives she and her team take on, the knowledge and accountability she demonstrates in her work, and the way she always brings a can-do attitude and approachability to every encounter I've had with her. She is a proven leader both within the Revenue Cycle and across the organization. In the work that I do, I see the many ways she is involved in strategic initiatives and that is in addition to countless other projects and her department's day-to-day operations. All in all, Patience consistently demonstrates UCSF's PRIDE values and Revenue Cycle is lucky to have her as one of our many great leaders!” - Christina Delsman
Patience's Bio:
I started at UCSF in 2019 as the Director of Revenue Management. Prior to joining my UCSF team, I spent twenty-seven years at UC Irvine starting as an administrative assistant and advancing ultimately to director. In 2017, as empty nesters for the first time in decades, my husband and I decided to venture north for a new opportunity at Stanford. Little did I know, three years later I would find myself back within the UC system, my home at UCSF. It was here that I could apply my experience and build a team...
Director of DEI and Culture, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
Here is what Leah’s nominator had to say about her:
“Leah was formerly my colleague at Community and Government Relations, and we also worked together, along with Ms. Ailene Estalilla in Real Estate's Vendor Diversity Outreach Event.”
Nominated by: Benita Benavides
Leah's Bio:
I am graduate of Saint Ignatius College Preparatory and Sonoma State University who went on to earn my MBA at Dominican University of California and a DEI certificate from UCSF and became the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care’s first Director of DEI and Culture in January 2022.
I’m a third-generation native of San Francisco’s Bayview district and I grew up in a healthcare world. My mother was a lead medical assistant at Kaiser. Sometimes I would go to work with her, so doctors and nurses were always a part of my life. It’s so impactful to see what a hospital does and how much a part of my whole being those people can become. The people my mom worked with are still a part of our family. Growing up and seeing that, I knew it was something I...
Director of Education & Strategic Initiatives, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Institute for Global Health Sciences
Here is what Inez’s nominator had to say about her:
“Inez Bailey is the Director of Education & Strategic Initiatives in the Department of Epi/Biostats and Institute for Global Health Sciences. She is an incredible leader, motivator, and mover-shaker in all the spaces she reaches. Inez leads by example. She is a strong voice and advocate for women of color. I am grateful for her mentorship and coaching.”
Nominated by: Sun Cotter
Inez's Bio:
My first introduction to the University of California was as a high school junior, visiting Berkeley for a regional debate tournament. Stepping off the charter bus from Fresno and onto Sproul Plaza, set in place the most fortuitous string of events. My grandparents had migrated to Oakland from New Orleans in 1932 so the bay area had been my father’s childhood playground and I very quickly determined that was my turn to soak up all that the Bay had to offer. Just 6 years later, I stood in that same Sproul Plaza as a Berkeley grad with a degree in Social Welfare. I had no idea then that I would return to that Plaza more than a decade later...
Service Line Director, Surgical Services, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
Here is what Jessica’s nominator had to say about her:
“Jessica has an incredible scope of work that she is managing with much success. Between launching a new QI initiative with 3 surgical subspecialties, co-leading the effort to formalize the PeriOp Q&S Subcommittee, and providing oversight for 8+ surgical services and their service line performance, she is a superwoman! She has been a wonderful partner to our BCH Quality Improvement Team, has a collaborative approach to everything she does, and despite every roadblock she encounters she is always enjoyable and positive to talk to. I couldn't think of a more deserving person to be featured in the newsletter!”
- Nominated by Kristine Cannon
Jessica's Bio:
I started at UCSF in mid-2006 not long after completing my Master’s in Healthcare Administration in the School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics. I was new to academic medicine and new to California, having just relocated from New Jersey in early 2006. I spent five wonderful years in the department managing the divisions of Nephrology, Pulmonary Medicine, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, and Rehab before accepting a promotion to...
Chief Program Officer, Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
Here is what Usma’s nominator had to say about her:
“Usma Khan is the Director of Staffing & Strategic Operations at the Institute for Global Health Sciences. She is recognized as one of the leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion across the Institute. She founded the IGHS DEI committee and has served as IGHS DEI Committee co-chair (with me) for several years. Usma is an inspirational leader, exceptional colleague, and a mother to two young kids. She is also a children's book writer.” - Sun Cotter
Usma's Bio:
I’d like to call myself a California native, even though I was born in Salt Lake City. My parents moved to the Bay Area when I was 1 month old, driving in the heat of summer with my two older sisters, in a Chevy Impala. My childhood was framed by being an Indian Muslim immigrant in an area that had few of us at the time (how the Bay Area has changed!), and by having an older sister who was autistic and had no verbal abilities. Those two identities shaped my experience in the world. My parents are both chemists and were sadly disappointed when I chose not to become a doctor or a chemist. I chose to study public health for my graduate studies and focus on environmental health. My career path has led me to government...
Payroll Analyst, Human Resources
Here is what Denise’s nominator had to say about her:
“Denise has shared her journey in other venues - how she got to where she is today and what she had to overcome. It is an incredible source of inspiration; a story of resilience and perseverance which should be more widely heard.” Sue Forstat
Denise's Bio:
Denise’s story is one of resilience and growth. You are sure to feel inspired after learning more about her journey over the past nine years, and the transformation that is possible with optimism, honesty, and belief in oneself.
We recommend you learn more about Denise’s journey here.
Do you have a favorite song? If you had to choose an anthem what would it be?
Yes – I’m working on my Building and my anthem would be – Lift every voice and sing
What’s a favorite movie or TV show you’ve watched recently?
Sista’s by Tyler Perry
What’s on your reading list?...
I am the Mount Zion Patient Care Director under the Office of the CNO. I enjoy working with many exceptional Mount Zion leadership, along with my remarkable clinical leader peers at Parnassus, Mission Bay and Oakland.
“Great things never come from comfort zones!” - Lourdes
Can you tell us about an important struggle you have overcome in your career? As a young, female and person of color healthcare leader, I have received a lot of “nos” in my career. This started when I first became a staff RN, an advanced practice nurse practitioner, and finally as a clinical leader. This had prepared me to silo my personal feelings and turn my negative experiences into unbiased and positive action plans. I keep reminding myself that it’s all about timing and I need to keep going.
What's an issue you think remains overlooked or under-addressed in terms of women in the professional world? Equipping and empowering women on pay/role negotiations and asking for promotions.
Why did you decide to join Women of UCSF’s team of volunteers? Personally, I feel that it is very important to give back, especially in my current leadership role. The most impactful way to support and uplift others is through Women of UCSF.
If you had to choose an anthem what would it be? My personal anthems are seasonal based of how I feel. Currently, it is “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you...
Professor of Pediatrics, Executive Medical Director of Quality & Safety, Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Interim
Here is what Deborah’s nominator had to say about her:
“Deb Franzon is an incredible clinician, medical director of the PICU, and a cheerleader for her colleagues. She is passionate about her work, about advancing the care of our patients through quality improvement, and is an advocate and is a mentor, a coach, a sponsor, and a friend to the rest of us, especially the younger faculty in our division.” – Efrat Lelkes
Overview of Journey at UCSF:
Deb joined the UCSF faculty at UCSF in 2016 after an 11-year career at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford where she served in a variety of leadership roles including Interim Division Chief for Critical Care and Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Deb completed her undergraduate work at UC Berkeley, studying environmental sciences and completed medical school, pediatrics and critical care training at UC San Diego/Rady Children’s Hospital. Deb has served in a variety of leadership roles since joining UCSF including Medical Director of the Pediatric Transitional Care Unit, the Divisional Quality Director as well as the PICU Medical Director. She has been co-leading a BCH SF/Oakland pediatric critical care...
Director of Communications, Institute for Global Health Sciences and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Overview of Journey at UCSF:
I came to UCSF in 2015 after spending eight years in marketing and development at UC Berkeley. When exploring job openings at UCSF, I came across a marketing role at the UCSF Library and the rest was history. My time at the UCSF Library was such an adventure. When I joined the Library was at a crossroads trying to define their relevance and identity within UCSF. We decided that the Library would dive head first into innovation and creativity. Over the next five years we established a maker’s lab, leaned into classes and events (and experimented with online courses) and redesigned the website toward a service-based model. In 2019, I decided it was time to explore other departments at UCSF and my outgoing manager recommended that I apply to the communications role at the Institute for Global Health Sciences and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. It was a space I had absolutely no experience in, but I found that as a communicator, I thrive off of jumping into new sectors and providing a fresh pair of eyes. Who would have thought, what we all would be facing around the corner? When the pandemic hit six months into my role, my global health and public health education accelerated at an exponential rate. As I was building the airplane, I had to fly that thing too! Everything from crisis communications to social justice communications to virtual event planning was my life in the last two and...
Project Analyst, Revenue Cycle Strategy
Overview of Journey at UCSF:
My journey at UCSF actually started in 2013 when I was hired as a Medical Assistant in the Arthritis and Rheumatology Clinic in the ACC building at Parnassus. I then left UCSF and pivoted my career into the business side of healthcare – during which I spent several years as a healthcare consultant – before returning to UCSF in February 2019. Upon rejoining UCSF, I was hired as a Project Analyst to ensure Revenue Cycle readiness for the UCSF Health strategic expansion and integration projects that have only increased in number/scope since that time. I love my role because it allows me to connect with so many different stakeholders across the organization and every project UCSF takes on is different, which means I’m always learning new things!
What’s on your reading list?
I just finished reading “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens, which was incredible. It’s actually being made into a movie that is coming out in a couple months, so I’m excited to see how the story is portrayed. I’m now reading Ho’oponopono by Ulrich E. Dupree. Ho’oponopono is a Hawaiian ritual of forgiveness through which people can gain a better understanding of how we are all connected and foster peace in our lives by letting go of the past through forgiveness of ourselves and others using the four tenets of: I am sorry, Please forgive me, I love you, and Thank you.
What’s your ideal weather?
I grew...