Assistant Director, Revenue Cycle Optimization
What’s your role at UCSF and what is your favorite part about it?
My role is Assistant Director in Revenue Cycle Strategy. I drive operational excellence by leading business process improvements and strategic initiatives that support Revenue Cycle goals. The best part of my role is collaborating with so many departments across the organization, and that I get work with such extraordinary individuals in Revenue Cycle Strategy. I love how deeply connected my work is to our True North pillars of Financial Strength, Patience Experience, Strategic Growth, and Our People.
What brought you to healthcare? Can you tell us about your professional journey?
I studied Public Health as an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, before moving on to IT roles implementing electronic health record systems at Kaiser Permanente, New York-Presbyterian, and here at UCSF Health. After completing my Master of Public Health in Healthcare Management at Columbia University I made the transition to working in Revenue Cycle. I’ve had the opportunity to work in many roles, making some vertical and lateral transitions along the way. I love working in healthcare because I see my job connected to serving others and transforming care delivery. Though I’m not providing any clinical treatment, I strongly feel that, in my own way, I’m directly caring for our patients.
What advice would you give yourself early on in your career?
You can develop managerial...
Why did you decide to join Women of UCSF’s team of volunteers? I’m hoping to build some community outside of my regular role. I think this is a great opportunity to meet new people and share ideas.
If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go? The Philippines – I’ve always wanted to visit. My partner and I have friends from the Philippines, and we’ve heard it’s beautiful, the food is delicious, and the people are very welcoming and kind.
What’s on your reading list? So many things! Braiding Sweetgrass, Klara and the Sun, Mediocre, Between the World & Me, The Water Dancer, Under the Udala Trees, The Color Purple, The Color of Law, Me & White Supremacy, Crying in H Mart, Disability Visibility
What’s a favorite movie or TV Show you’ve watched recently? Ragnarok – a Norwegian film about Norse mythology set in the present day. I’m learning Norwegian as a quarantine project and listening to the language in a movie setting is such a fun challenge.
What’s your ideal weather? Snow! I love the snow. I love to ski and wear big, puffy coats, and enjoy warm tea on really cold days.
Get to know the rest of our Women of UCSF Health team here.
Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine
Here is what Jeanne’s nominator had to say about her:
“Jeanne was recognized last year by the American College of Emergency Physicians with the National Emergency Medicine Excellence in Bedside Teaching Award - one of only 2 faculty in the country to receive this award. Jeanne also volunteered for the Navajo nation treating Covid-19 patients and made significant improvements in the care of Covid-19 patients in the emergency department at Parnassus.”
- Jeffrey Tabas, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine
Bio:
After completing a master’s degree in Latin American Studies at UC Berkeley, I took a USAID-funded research position for the Population Council in Lima, Peru, where I spent two years evaluating the quality of public sector reproductive health services. Witnessing such large gaps in unmet need for quality healthcare led me to change careers, from public health researcher to physician. My life at UCSF began as a medical student in...
Project Manager and Senior Clinical Analyst, Department of Pediatric Cardiology
Here is what Deborah's nominator had to say about her:
"Deb is an exceptional analyst that has gone above and beyond to help organize the systems within the Pediatric Heart Center. She is a minority as an African American Woman in the IT world and she embraces that challenge and demonstrates expertise and outstanding organization!”
- Angela Collins, Assistant Unit Director, Pediatrics Interventional Cardiology
Deborah's Bio:
Deborah is a Project Manager and Senior Clinical Analyst for the Department of Pediatric Cardiology, where she serves as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion, implementing training opportunities for the team and ensuring departmental initiatives consider issues relating to equity and bias. She drives quality improvement processes by identifying opportunities, diagnosing issues, and recommending and documenting solutions. Deborah has been in the medical field for 12 years where her passion for patient advocacy and health equity is the driving force of her life work. She honors participation, leadership, and expertise arising from many sources and life experiences to identify health challenges and develop lasting solutions. She encourages openness and authenticity to communicate our struggles and collectively heal and progress. Deborah earned her Master's in...
Assistant Professor, Cancer Immunotherapy Program
Here is what Bridget's nominator had to say about her:
"Dr. Keenan is a senior medical oncology fellow at UCSF. She is an outstanding physician scientist and immunologist by training, focused on tumor immunology in hepatobiliary malignancies. Her clinical practice is at UCSF Cancer Immunotherapy Program focusing on the advancement of immunotherapy based clinical trials. In addition, Dr. Keenan is a leader on gender equity. During her time at UCSF she was instrumental to the development and success of the Internal Medicine residency Women in Leadership Development (WiLD) Committee and is a co-founder of the UCSF-wide Women in Leadership Development (WiLD) Program."
- Ana Velazquez Manana, MD, Oncology Fellow, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Bridget's Bio:
Bridget is a physician scientist, pursuing a dual career in oncology and translational cancer research. During the early years of her research career, she trained in laboratories at the University of Maryland and the National Institutes of Health. Bridget then entered the MD-PhD program at Johns Hopkins and obtained her PhD in Immunology in the lab of Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee, studying pancreatic cancer vaccines. Bridget came to UCSF as an internal medicine resident; in fact, the first time she came to San Francisco was her residency interview and she immediately knew she wanted to train here. Following residency, Bridget stayed...
Medical Director, Clinical Laboratory, Hematopathologist and Residency Program Director, Clinical Pathology
Here is what Kristie's nominator had to say about her:
"Dr. White is an outstanding mentor and leader in the Laboratory Medicine department, in her roles as hematopathologist and Program Director of Clinical Pathology. Her commitment to education enriches Clinical Pathology training at UCSF. She models both clinical excellence and leadership for her trainees."
- Joanna Balcerek, MD, Resident, Laboratory Medicine
Kristies's Bio:
I began my journey at UCSF as a medical student in 2003, and I am still here! After medical school, I completed residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and fellowships in Surgical Pathology and Hematopathology at UCSF. During residency, I also embarked on earning a Master’s degree in Education at UC Berkeley, which allowed me to gain more formal training to pursue research in education. When I finished training, I was thrilled to accept a faculty position at UCSF.
Currently I am based at Mission Bay, where I am the Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratory, and I work as a hematopathologist to diagnosis disorders of the blood and bone marrow. In addition, I am the Residency Program Director for Clinical Pathology. In this role I cherish recruiting, supporting, encouraging, and training our outstanding residents. My research is primarily in the area...
Consultant, Learning & Orginizational Development
Here is what Alleysha's nominator had to say about her:
"Alleysha is an infectiously positive person who embodies our UCSF PRIDE values."
- Korin Schmitz, UCSF Health
Alleysha's Bio:
Alleysha started with UCSF in 2015 as a Leadership Development Manager for Healthforce Center at UCSF. This department creates leadership development programs for external health care organizations. There, she led the Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy Leadership Institute and the Cedars-Sinai Community Clinic Initiative: Managing to Leading Program.
While in this position, Alleysha attended the Leading the Frontline series, led by Learning & Organizational Development (L&OD). By the end of the first session, she knew L&OD was the perfect place for her. In L&OD, Alleysha is able to focus on empowering our internal community, in the same way she was doing externally in her previous position.
What has been an important success in your career? Have you had a key breakthrough moment?
I am successful when I am able to spark the potential in others. If you leave one of my workshops with a new learning, a new insight, or a changed perspective, I did my job!
What do you like to do outside of work?
My favorite activity is spending time with my family, particularly taking walks in my neighborhood with my husband and son. I also...
Patient Safety Clinical Specialist, Department of Quality and Patient Safety
Here is what Julie's nominator had to say about her:
"Julie has been an essential member of the Patient Safety Department for several years. Much of her work is behind the scenes, but has been so important in making UCSF a safer place for patients and staff. Patient Safety calls for her to work with departments across the organization. In all of these partnerships, Julie goes above and beyond to collaborate effectively and develop sustainable solutions. Her commitment to excellence is apparent in everything that she does. She never hesitates to take on new projects, learn a new skill or lend a hand to a colleague. Julie maintains calm and thoughtful demeanor even when the job is stressful, which creates a positive atmosphere for all around her. She serves as a role model to so many through her commitment to excellence, leadership and positivity. Julie’s leadership and collaborative spirit have helped so many redefine possible."
- Paige Porter, Patient Safety Coordinator, UCSF Health
Julie's Bio:
I started my professional career a Pharmacy Informaticist and was driven to build systems that bring the best out of people to provide the highest quality of care. I was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity expand beyond pharmacy and medication safety when I joined UCSF Health as a Patient Safety Clinical Specialist 6...
Anais Ryken is the Interim Director of Women's Health.
Tell us about your UCSF story:
I emigrated from Mexico at a very young age. Since then I was met with barriers from having to learn English to figuring out how to pay for college. At 18, using all the money I had saved, I was able to complete a Medical Assistant program. I will never forget at the age of 19 when I first 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 at DGIM and the encouragement of the exceptional physicians I worked with; I continued my education while working fulltime. Within a couple of years I became the clinic's Vocational 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 on as a Practice Manager. After a few years, Erica Rajabi who was 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, 14 years from when I started, I am the Interim 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 managers, leaders and physicians I encountered in Ambulatory Services who took the time to mentor me. My...