Toni Braden, DNP, RN

Vice President, Clinical Services, Office of the COO

Here is what Toni's nominators had to say about her: 

Toni leads with vision, but it’s her unassuming, engaging, and grounded presence that sets her apart. As VP of Clinical Services, she has helped build and lead the Patient Capacity Management Center into a systemwide nerve center that strengthened patient flow, safety, and access across UCSF Health. What truly sets Toni apart is how she pairs high-level strategy with investment in the people who keep the system moving.

In Radiology, we’ve experienced that impact firsthand. Toni has pushed us beyond what we thought was achievable, especially in a season where constraints and budget pressures can make progress feel invisible. She didn’t just set the bar higher; she worked alongside us to remove barriers where she could and to resource the work in practical ways. She often seemed to intuit what would unlock momentum: the right support, the right space to pilot an idea, the right connection, the right nudge. Even when outcomes have been uneven or hard to feel day to day, her leadership has helped us build capacity, stretch our thinking, and make meaningful strides that position us for what’s next. And there’s something deeply motivating about realizing the ability was in us all along, and she saw it before we did.

Toni has also created and continues to create real doorways for our department, actively supporting our roles, backing new ideas, and encouraging professional growth. She shows up when it matters, asking the right questions, listening with curiosity, and offering partnership instead of prescription. It’s rare to see a leader who is so operationally sharp and also so consistent about building people up in a way that feels genuine.

Toni leads beyond our walls as well. She co-chairs the national Hospital Capacity Management Consortium, helps advance data-driven patient flow models, and contributes to UCSF Open Proposals. Still, she keeps the work grounded in the realities of frontline teams and makes sure women’s voices are present and heard.

She’s the kind of leader we’re proud to spotlight, not only for what she’s built, but for how she’s helped the rest of us build, too.

Nominated by: Alpana Patel Camilli & Radiology Managers and Directors

Toni's Bio:  

Toni Braden has 19 years of clinical nursing experience and began her career at UCSF in 2010 as a cardiac bedside nurse specializing in Cardiothoracic Surgery and Mechanical Circulatory Support. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Healthcare Administration from the University of Cincinnati and is an active member of ACHE and the Hospital Capacity Management Consortium. In 2017, Toni transitioned into healthcare administration, where she led the Integrated Transfer Center and Central Patient Placement teams in launching the Patient Capacity Management Center (PCMC) and advancing enterprise-wide capacity strategies, including rapid transfer beds, a bed reservation system, and co-implementation of a discharge lounge and a flow-control physician model. Under her leadership, PCMC expanded to Pediatrics, Women’s Health, and two additional UCSF hospitals—Stanyan and Hyde—strengthening system-wide access and patient flow. Now serving as Vice President of Clinical Services, Toni bridges clinical operations and executive strategy through data-driven decision-making and innovative technology solutions that enhance patient experience, access, and care delivery, including co-leading the Epic Beaker laboratory implementation and driving strategic and operational improvements across Radiology Health Operations.

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

Early in my career, I would remind myself to trust my perspective and speak up sooner. Early on, it’s easy to feel like you need to prove yourself before contributing at the table. What I’ve learned over time is that diverse perspectives—especially in healthcare operations—are incredibly valuable, and leadership benefits from people who are willing to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and bring forward new ideas.
For women entering this field today, my advice would be three things:
First, be confident in your voice and your expertise. You don’t need to wait until you feel 100% ready—growth often happens by stepping into opportunities that stretch you.
Second, build strong relationships and mentors across disciplines. Healthcare is highly collaborative, and some of the most impactful work happens when clinical, operational, and administrative leaders align around shared goals.
Third, stay focused on purpose. Healthcare leadership can be complex and demanding, but remembering that our work ultimately improves patient access, care delivery, and outcomes helps keep the work meaningful.
And finally, I would say—don’t be afraid to lead. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about bringing people together to solve problems and move the organization forward.

Do you have a favorite song? If you had to choose an anthem, what would it be?

If I had to choose an anthem, it would be **Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé. It’s a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and impact women have when we lead with confidence and support each other. In healthcare especially, so many women are driving change in patient care, operations, and innovation, and that song captures that spirit of empowerment.

What is on your reading list?  

• Uncommon Favor by Dawn Staley
• The Heart of Real Leadership by Coach K
• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Meet other outstanding women of UCSF through Our Spotlight.