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 professionally and personally.

What’s your ideal weather? 

Hot hot hot.

If you could go anywhere for a day, where would you go

Underwater. Anywhere I can scuba dive. 

Can you tell us about an important role model or mentor in your life?

Dr. Elizabeth Travis, in Radiation Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, was the first woman scientist who saw me, shaped me and lifted me. She gave me a chance and respected me, even as a naïve undergraduate student; she always listened and I always learned. At the time, I didn't realize how uniquely strong she was, or what she had to truly overcome, in order to quickly succeed in a male-dominated field in the South. When contemplating which educational path I should take, MD or PhD, she matter-of-factly said "Why not do both? You can."... my world changed. I was an immigrant to the US and the daughter of two immigrants to North America - I had no idea this was a trajectory available to me. I thought it was meant for a bubble of legacy students of which I was not a part of.  If it hadn't been for her guidance, I would not have pursued a combined MD/PhD program, and would not be the physician-scientist I am today. Dr. Travis lives by the words she shares with her mentees: she has risen not only as a scientific leader in her field, but as a perpetual proponent of women and minorities in the health system in which she is embedded. As I evolve in my professional path, I hope to emulate her strength and tenacity, while supporting and lifting my teams, just as she did for me. 

How do you think the role of women in the workforce has changed throughout your career?

Though my career is still young, I've already seen the role of women in the workforce change for the better. I've been fortunate to train and live in different parts of the country at other large institutions. This background has allowed me to understand that not only are there different flavors of medicine across the US, but also in healthcare leadership. I feel extremely lucky to have landed at UCSF, where there are incredible female and minority role models in positions that effect change daily. Drs. Susan Smith, Amy Murtha and Lee Atkinson-McEvoy are among just a few strong examples who I learn from daily. Women and minorities are lifted and developed in ways I never imagined. At UCSF, I truly feel that all doors are open if you are willing to turn the knob, and there is no ceiling if you are willing to stand tall.

Meet other outstanding women of UCSF Health through Our Spotlight.