Dr. Lei Choi is the Medical Director of the Continuous Improvement Department and a practicing Professor of Medicine in the UCSF Division of General Internal Medicine.

Here’s what Lei’s nominator had to say about her:

“Lei is a powerful force in continuous improvement. She has taught and coached many individuals here at UCSF, and is responsible for developing a record number of faculty in Lean methods and mindset. She is an amazing educator and influencer and has impacted UCSF’s national stature as one of the few health systems that have been successful in engaging physicians in improvement work.”

 - Cynthia Chiarappa, VP, UCSF Health Administration & Chief of Staff to CEO

Lei’s Bio:

Dr. Lei Choi is the Medical Director of the Continuous Improvement Department and a practicing Professor of Medicine in the UCSF Division of General Internal Medicine. She joined UCSF Health in 2015. Lei loves to teach, coach, and delight learners. She is passionate about developing competent and confident problem solvers.  

What’s on your reading list? 

The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by Dan Roam (because a good visual is priceless!) and Radical Candor by Kim Scott.  

What advice would you give yourself early on in your career? To a woman entering your field today?  

Don’t be afraid to take a seat at the table. Be brave and just sit down. As a new faculty member, I remember walking into a packed conference where there were only two seats left in the room - one at the very front next to the chair of the department and one at the back by the wall. I walked on shaky legs to the front, sat down, and spoke. That experience made a real impression on me. I remind leaders early in their career that your voice, and your advocacy, are important. If not you, then who? 

What brought you to healthcare? Can you tell us about your professional journey?  

In college, I majored in mechanical engineering, thinking that I would go on to design joints and bionic limbs. Along the way, I discovered I loved talking with people and hearing their stories more than being in the lab. This year, I will have been an academic primary care physician for 24 years. I love all of it: the privilege of caring for others, the continuity with patients and families, the teaching and training, and the intellectual challenge. Fourteen years ago, I was introduced to Lean in Healthcare as a way to solve problems and to improve the quality of care delivery. Through Lean, I’ve been able to develop people and impact change on a much wider scale. It’s a perfect balance of care, creativity, quality, and people. This has been my calling ever since. 

What do you like to do outside of work?  

I like to run. Running keeps me sane. My 3 kids (ages 15, 14, and 11) are all in cross country, and my husband (an interventional cardiologist at UCSF) is also a runner. I’m typically trailing way behind them in Golden Gate Park. We recently ran our own inaugural Midlife 11.1K for my husband’s 50th birthday. 

Meet other outstanding women of UCSF Health through Our Spotlight.