The Jaclyne Witte Boyden Award honors and recognizes exemplary service by staff in support of health professions education.
2024 Recipients:
• Kristi Abrahamsen, Administrative Clinic Supervisor, School of Dentistry
• Suria Sadat, Fellowship Administrator, Department of Pathology
The Award for Exceptional Service in Medical Education
The Award for Exceptional Service in Medical Education honors and recognizes exemplary service by staff in the Office of Medical Education (OME), School of Medicine.
2024 Recipients:
• Kelly O'Brien, Curriculum Coordinator, Assessment, Curriculum, Evaluations (ACE)
• Jennifer Vogt, Director, Graduate Medical Education (GME)
New Members
Bianca Argueza, MD, MPH Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Argueza is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Mount Zion and Mission Bay. As a general pediatrician, she teaches residents and medical students. She co-directs the Health Equity and Racial Justice GME Pathway, which provides a foundational learning experience for medical students, residents, fellows, and other health professional students who are passionate about advancing health equity and anti-oppression. “Dr. Argueza has made significant contributions to the university’s educational mission and her impact extends beyond the Department of Pediatrics and has reached a broad range of learners,” says Dr. Raphael Hirsch, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. She is a member of the DEI Catalysts, a cross-bay group of pediatrics faculty who facilitate conversations around racism and equity in the learning environment. She was instrumental in launching the pediatrics residency DEI curriculum. She has also published strategies and tools for fostering an equitable and anti-oppressive learning environment.
Mona Bajestan, DDS, MS Department of Orofacial Sciences
Dr. Bajestan is an Associate Clinical Professor Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Science at the UCSF Dental School. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and remains actively involved in national professional organizations. She is a distinguished fellow of the American College of Dentists, the oldest and most prestigious honorary organization for dentists in the country. Dr. Bajestan is the Clinic Director and the Director of the Fellowship/Preceptorship in Orthodontics. She is a dedicated educator, having developed and directed numerous educational courses for orthodontic residents. Dr. Bajestan supervises the highest number of resident cases among UCSF orthodontic faculty, earning her unanimous respect and admiration from residents for her exceptional teaching and clinical skills. Dr. Christine Hong, Interim Chair/Program Director of the Division of Orthodontics, adds, “This respect is reflected in the numerous awards she has received, including “Faculty of the Year” and the “Lateral Skull Award” that she has received for multiple years.”
Katherine Brooks, MD Department of Medicine
Dr. Brooks is Assistant Professor in the Department of Hospital Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital where she is proud and privileged to serve in San Francisco’s safety net. She is Assistant Director of the Diagnostic Reasoning Course in the School of Medicine and Co-Director of Model SFGH, a longitudinal clerkship program. She teaches the Clinical Skills course for second year medical students in the UCSF-UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program (JMP). Dr. Jyothi Marbin, Director of the JMP says, “Dr. Brooks’ is an exemplary clinician-educator whose dedication, leadership and innovation have significantly enriched the academic and clinical landscape at UCSF.” Across her medical education roles, she remains focused on developing effective strategies to train the next generation of anti-racist physicians. Dr. Larissa Thomas, Interim Chief of the ZSFG Division of Hospital Medicine says, “Dr. Brooks’ research has been recognized nationally, demonstrating her commitment to advancing health equity and social justice in medicine.”
Annette Carley, DNP, MS
Department of Family Health Care Nursing
Dr. Carley is a Clinical Professor in the School of Nursing, and Associate Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. In addition to overseeing this program, she teaches core content and mentors students in development and implementation of quality improvement projects. Dr. Carley is a graduate of the Teaching Scholar’s program and is invested in curricular development. After leading school efforts to develop the DNP degree as the first of its kind in the UC system, she was appointed its Associate Director. She recently co-led the development of a second, post-baccalaureate DNP degree pathway. Dr. Jyu-Lin Chen, Chair of the Department of Family Health Care Nursing notes that, “when Professor Carley recognized a need to develop additional course electives for learners, she partnered with a colleague to develop two foundational teaching courses.” This added pathway will elevate the 10 nursing specialty programs’ and prepare advanced practice nurses as doctoral-level leaders.
Jolie Chang, MD, MEng
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Dr. Chang is a Professor and Division Chief of General Otolaryngology and Sleep Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. She specializes in surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea and obstructive salivary gland disorders. She serves as the director of the OHNS resident research program and mentors’ residents and students in research skills, presentations, and publications. Of this role, Dr. Steven Pletcher, Professor and Director of the residency training program in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, says, “Jolie has transformed the research experience for our residents into a thriving, diverse time of inquiry which has spawned the careers of several clinician scientists.” Her goals are to align individual interests and career goals to research experiences and to empower self-directed lifelong learning. Dr. Pletcher also says, “Jolie sets a culture of inquiry and excellence that inspires our residents. She is an outstanding communicator and advocate for our trainees and junior faculty.”
Miles Conrad, MD, MPH
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging
Dr. Conrad is a Professor of Clinical Radiology in the Interventional Radiology Section at UCSF and ZSFG. He is a Bridges Coach, Course Director for the IR senior elective at ZSFG, SPAN Specialty Practice Ambulatory sub-iNternship (SPAN) preceptor, and Summer and Deep Explore Mentor. Dr. Conrad is involved in developing various curricula including a senior course that fuses ultrasound procedure simulation with storytelling to promote future physician resiliency after procedural complications. Radiology Department Chair Dr. Chris Hess remarked “Dr. Conrad is broadly recognized as an energetic educator who is continuously creating new educational platforms, strengthening his ability to connect and interact with learners, and innovating new tools to communicate diagnostic and procedural imaging concepts to improve patient care.” Dr. Conrad is also an expert in endovascular interventions for trauma and pulmonary artery pathology. He relishes intentionally entering the flow-state with trainees on complex procedures as a means of improving patient outcomes, reducing operator anxiety, and improving trainee retention.
April Edwell, MD, MAEd
Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Edwell is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Department of Critical Care. She currently does clinical teaching of residents and fellows rotating through the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and serves as a BRIDGES Coach for a group of medical students. She has held several leadership roles in her time on faculty at UCSF, including Associate Program Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Pediatric Residency Program and is currently the Medical Director for the Code CARE program at Benioff Children's Hospital. Her work focuses on addressing healthcare disparities and promoting equity in medical education and clinical practice. Dr. Raphael Hirsch, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, says, “Dr. Edwell has been a trailblazer in developing DEI curricula for residents, faculty, and interdisciplinary staff.” She continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of medical professionals, ensuring that her legacy of compassion, excellence, and advocacy endures.
Leslie Floren, PharmD, PhD, MAEd
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
Dr. Floren is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy, Associate Dean of Fellowships in the School of Pharmacy, and Co-Director of the Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Fellowship Program. She is a dedicated educator, teaching and leading skills and core didactics courses for firstyear pharmacy students, precepting third-year students and pharmacy residents, and training post-graduate clinical pharmacology fellows from medicine, pharmacy, and the basic sciences. She strives to provide learners of all levels, with accurate information and tailored guidance regarding post-graduate training to help them evaluate and achieve their training and career goals. “Her educational reach goes beyond the School of Pharmacy as she has designed and participated in several interprofessional activities with the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine,” says Dr. Jennifer Cocohoba, interim Chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy. As a researcher, she is focused on studying the interactive knowledge-building processes that underlie successful interprofessional collaboration and team-based clinical care.
Meghana Gadgil, MD, MPH
Department of Medicine
Dr. Gadgil is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). She is also a faculty member in Health Policy and Management at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. At ZSFG, Dr. Gadgil supervises and teaches residents and medical students on the Resident Inpatient Service. “Dr. Gadgil is known for her ability to foster critical thinking and diagnostic skills among residents and students while imparting the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care,” says Dr. Larissa Thomas, Interim Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine at ZSFG. She also teaches three graduate courses a year: ‘Diet and Chronic Disease,’ and ‘Health Policy and Management’ at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, and ‘Human Centered Design’ at UCSF. Dr. Gadgil’s academic interests include human-centered design, global health and chronic disease, health system resilience to climate change, and pioneering approaches to healthcare decarbonization.
David Gordon, MD, MPH
Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Gordon is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics based at ZSFG. He is the Co-Medical Director for the ZSFG Children's Health Center. He precepts medical students and residents at the Pediatric Urgent Care clinic, serves as a recurring small group facilitator for the Life Cycles and Diagnostic Reasoning courses, and lectures for the Global Health Sciences Masters program. He co-directed the Pediatrics Competency-Based Immersion Experience (COBIE) program for the UCSF Coda course. He co-founded the pediatrics residency program at the University of Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia, and has developed curricula in healthcare quality improvement and emergency pediatrics for low- and middleincome countries. “Dr. Gordon’s impact on the educational experiences of medical students and residents is exemplary, and his ability to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment sets him apart as a true leader in medical education,” says Dr. Raphael Hirsch, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Dr. Shonul Jain, Professor and Vice Chair for ZSFG, UCSF Pediatrics.
Sally Graglia, MD, MPH, FACEP
Department of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Graglia is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Medical Student Ultrasound Education, and a Bridges Coach. Committed to three core tenets of addressing inequity, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and education, her career has focused on POCUS education to learners at every stage, of every background, and in every environment. “Dr. Graglia has set a new bar for medical student POCUS education,” says Dr. Chris Colwell, Chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Colwell adds, “consistent with her strong commitment to service of the underserved, Dr. Graglia continues to be drawn to areas of unmet need within our Department, School, country and globe.” As Director of Medical Student Ultrasound Education and an ultrasound faculty member within the Department of Emergency Medicine, she has designed, implemented, and taught curriculum for medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty. As a Bridges Coach, she has coached three cohorts of medical students, leading students through fundamental clinical knowledge and skills and quality improvement.
Natalie Buu Hastings, DMD
Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences
Dr. Hastings is a Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences. She practices and teaches general dentistry with an emphasis in prosthodontics. She provides reliable, trustworthy, comprehensive dental care to patients and role models her strong work ethic and attention to detail to elevate the next generation of dentists to be safe and caring dental professionals. “Dr. Hastings’ demonstrates invaluable dedication to learners and their performance. Her outstanding teaching efforts related to learners and patients is demonstrated by the numerous honors she has received as a faculty member,” says Dr. Kent Knoernschild, Chair of the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences. She strives to make a difference by being a dependable educator whose patients and students know that she has their best interests at heart. Delivering healthy smiles to patients and demonstrating the importance of developing a solid clinical foundation that builds confidence in students are what bring her joy and keep her going.
Barbie Klein, PhD, MS
Departments of Anatomy and Cell and Tissue Biology
Dr. Klein is an Associate Professor with joint appointments in the Departments of Anatomy and Cell and Tissue Biology. She is the Faculty Advisor for the Willed Body Program and Co-Director of the Anatomy Learning Center. She teaches gross anatomy, human embryology, histology, and neuroanatomy to medical, dental, physical therapy, and pharmacy students and medical residents. She directs the anatomy and embryology blocks for second-year medical student courses where she redesigned the curriculum from a binary gendered framework to inclusive anatomy instruction. “Her approach was in stark contrast to the typical instruction; feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. She has consulted with other professors nationally and internationally and is collaborating on a multi-institution research project,” says Department Chair of Anatomy, Dr. Allan Basbaum. Dr. Klein is honored to have received many accolades for her work such as the Distinction in Teaching Award and the American College of Dentists Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award.
Vishal Kumar, MD, FSIR
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging
Dr. Kumar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. He provides minimally invasive, imageguided interventions for patients at SFVA, ZSFG, UCSF Parnassus, Mt. Zion, and UCSF Mission Bay Campuses and emergent trauma care coverage for BCH Oakland and Alameda Highland Hospitals. Dr. Kumar is involved with high school, undergraduate, as well as postgraduate teaching, mentorship, and advocacy. As interim Program Director for the UCSF Independent and Integrated Interventional Radiology residency training programs, he oversees curriculum development, trainee wellbeing, and incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Nationally, Dr. Kumar serves as chair of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Grants Educating Medical Students (GEMS) program. Dr. Alan Matsumoto, former University of Virginia Radiology Chair and creator of the SIR GEMS program, describes Dr. Kumar as “amazing and so humble in putting [the GEMS program] together…I personally witnessed Dr. Kumar build community with these students and provide a career-inspiring experience.”
Catherine Lau, MD
Department of Medicine
Dr. Lau is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at UCSF and a hospitalist at UCSF Health. She is the Director of Caring Wisely where she coaches teams to redesign and innovate systems of care to improve quality, safety, value, and the patient experience at UCSF Health. Catherine is the CoDirector for Health Systems Improvement in the Clinical Microsystems Clerkship where she co-leads an experiential curriculum for pre-clinical medical students to gain meaningful experiences in health systems improvement and A3 problem solving. As a Bridges curriculum coach, Catherine works with students in teaching them systems improvement skills, clinical reasoning, patient interviews, and hypothesis-driven physical exams and assists them with career exploration advice and mentorship. Her influence and impact is enormous. Over 600 students have gone through her program and contributed to hundreds of improvement projects to improve the care at UCSF Health, the SF VA Medical Center, and ZSFG, says Dr. Margaret Fang, Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine at UCSF Health.
Andrew Lui, DPT
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
Dr. Lui is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science and serves as Vice Chair of Faculty Development and Faculty Affairs. As Mentoring Facilitator and Site Coordinator for Clinical Education, he leads development programs to optimize faculty mentoring and precepting practices and oversees outpatient student rotations at Mount Zion and Lakeshore Faculty Practices. As course director and instructor in the undergraduate physical therapy program, he has created and transformed coursework in pathophysiology, geriatrics, and therapeutic modalities and exercise to meet the evolving needs of learners and the broader community. “His teaching philosophy centers on creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment that fosters critical thinking through engaged team-based learning activities,” says Department Chair of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Dr. Amber Fitzsimmons. Dr. Lui provides direct patient care through interprofessional teams in the Rheumatology, Neurology, and Orthopedic Departments at UCSF, and works closely with department leaders on quality improvement initiatives.
Jennifer Mandal, MD
Department of Medicine
Dr. Mandal is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology. In her clinical work, she serves a diverse population of vulnerable rheumatology patients at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, where she also teaches and mentors medical students, residents, and rheumatology fellows. “Her teaching style is fantastic- she can quickly establish where a learner is and where they need to go and provides a framework and teaching points to help them grow,” says Dr. Jinoos Yazdany, Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at ZSFG. Her scholarship focuses on medical education, health equity, and improving access to rheumatology care. She is the Director of the Rheumatology Access Expansion (RAE) Initiative, a program dedicated to supporting people living with rheumatic diseases in communities with little access to rheumatology providers. She is the School of Medicine Lead for Interprofessional Education, the Director of Evaluation for the Rheumatology Fellowship Program, and the recipient of the Ira M. Goldstein Award for Outstanding Teaching in Rheumatology.
Neil Mehta, MD
Department of Medicine
Dr. Mehta is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology. He leads the liver medicine lectures for the 1st year medical students and oversees hepatology clinical education for IM and surgery residents and GI/Hepatology fellows through his roles as Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Multidisciplinary Program director and Liver Transplant Unit (LTU) service chief. He is internationally recognized as an HCC content expert, has published and lectured extensively on this topic, and has been the primary research mentor for over 40 trainees and junior faculty since starting on faculty at UCSF in 2013. He is described as “a dedicated and accomplished educator” by Dr. Jonathan Terdiman, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology. Dr. Justin Sewell, Director of the Foundations 1 Curriculum, says, “Dr. Mehta contributes meaningfully to the hepatology learning of medical students at UCSF, and the effectiveness of his teaching is reflected in the depth of their understanding.
Rita Mukhtar, MD Department of Surgery
Dr. Mukhtar is an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery and an Associate Program Director for the General Surgery Residency in the Department of Surgery. Her clinical practice comprises breast surgical oncology and emergency general surgery at the Mission Bay and Parnassus campuses. As Associate Program Director, Dr. Mukhtar focuses on curriculum development for surgical residents and revamped the weekly didactic content. She chairs the Surgery Education Committee and works closely with educators and trainees to oversee the educational experience of each rotation. She actively mentors medical students and residents and conducts clinical research focused on lobular breast cancer. “Dr. Mukhtar is deeply engaged in mentorship, evidenced by the success of several of her mentees, multiple presentations and publications, and receipt of a mentorship award. Her commitment to supporting the professional growth of her trainees reflects her passion for nurturing the next generation of physicians,” says Dr. Julie Ann Sosa, Chair of the Department of Surgery.
Jacqueline Nemer, MD Department of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Nemer is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM), a Bridges Coach, and Director of Faculty Procedural Skills for DEM. Her career has been dedicated to teaching and mentoring all levels of learners within UCSF and globally. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of numerous innovative curricula for UME, GME, and CME and scholarly publications on simulation, critical care, and procedural skills. “Her innovative medical documentation and simulation curricula for residents and faculty skills courses have been particularly impactful, enhancing teaching abilities across the board, says Dr. Nida Degesys, Medical Director of the Age Friendly Emergency Department. Dr Nemer received several national teaching awards including the 2024 ACEP National Emergency Medicine Faculty Teaching Award and the 2019 Outstanding Medical Student Educator of DEM. In her roles as Medical Director of Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) and the Procedure Documentation (ProcDoc) Program, she promotes quality, patient safety, and eliminating health disparities throughout UCSF Health.
Zarin Noor MD, MPH
Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Noor is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Primary Care and serves as the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Residency at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. She precepts and trains medical students, residents, and other healthcare professionals in the primary care setting. She has led the development of an immigrant health curriculum, collaborating with a cross-bay team of pediatric residents. Dr. Noor is also instrumental in teaching these topics, delivering both small-group seminars and larger lectures. Additionally, she leads an interdepartmental team focused on developing a professionalism curriculum for pediatric residents and fellows. As codirector of the UCSF Health and Human Rights Initiative, she supervises, mentors, and teaches medical students in the field of asylum medicine. “Her contributions to resident education, curriculum development, and immigrant health are exemplary, and her leadership and advocacy for diversity and inclusion are commendable,” says Dr. Raphael Hirsch, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics.
Snehlata (Sneha) Oberoi, BDS, DDS, MDS Department of Orofacial Sciences
Dr. Snehlata (Sneha) Oberoi is a Professor in the School of Dentistry and the Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Orthodontic Program at UCSF. She is a craniofacial orthodontist with the Craniofacial Center, where she provides assessment and treatment recommendations for children with craniofacial anomalies. Dr. Oberoi provides teaching and supervision of orthodontic residents and is the Pre-doctoral Program Director. She “seeks to teach and advise residents and students in a fashion that will help best support their future career objectives while broadening their interest to include some craniofacial patient care,” states Dr. Effie Ioannidou, Chair of the Department of Orofacial Sciences. Dr. Oberoi has published 80 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as two book chapters, and serves as a reviewer for several peerreviewed journals. She presently serves on the Board of the Northern California Angle Society and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the World Federation of Orthodontists, and the Indian Orthodontic Society.
Alyssa Perez, MD, MEd
Department of Medicine
Dr. Perez is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Associate Program Director for the internal medicine residency. Clinically, she is the director of the UCSF Adult Cystic Fibrosis program and a transplant pulmonologist. She supervises and teaches residents and fellows in the Advanced Lung Disease service, in the clinic, and in bronchoscopy. As Associate Program Director, she has implemented numerous initiatives to improve resident wellbeing and mentors 15 residents longitudinally on career development and clinical competency. She is also a fellowship coach to 8 fellows, providing longitudinal coaching on clinical, procedural, and academic progress as well as career development. She has a particular interest in mentoring female and underrepresented in medicine trainees. Dr. Prescott Woodruff, Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, states, “Dr. Perez plays a pivotal role in guiding our fellows, providing them with valuable insights on career development, mentorship, and support throughout their training.”
Mukund Premkumar, MD
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Dr. Premkumar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and is a family medicine physician at UCSF Lakeshore. He works with a wide range of learners, from first-year medical students to third-year residents. As a Bridges coach, he teaches medical students longitudinally on clinical reasoning, professional identity formation, quality improvement, and DEI. In this role and as the PISCES Family Medicine Liaison, he acts as a longitudinal mentor and preceptor for students. “He is consistently rated highly by learners for his ability to foster positive, responsive, and interactive clinical learning experiences,” says Dr. Megan Mahoney, Chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. He also acts as a UCSF-SFGH Residency preceptor in both the outpatient and inpatient settings. His educational practice has been informed by DEI principles learned through his work as a racial caucusing participant/facilitator in his department, as well as through medical student orientation (DMO).
Joseph
Sanford, MD Department of Neurology
Dr. Sanford is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurology, based at UCSF Fresno. He sees general neurology and epilepsy patients from across the Central Valley and teaches medical students as well as residents in a variety of specialties. He is the Assistant Director of the San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education (SJV PRIME), responsible for program evaluation and student assessment. SJV PRIME is a curricular program for medical students who are committed to improving health care and alleviating health disparities in the San Joaquin Valley. He is also the site clerkship director for the Neurology clerkship at UCSF Fresno and serves as a longitudinal neurology preceptor for multiple students yearly. “Dr. Sanford has displayed an innate talent for being approachable, engaging, and receptive to feedback and growth. He never hesitates to step up and lead new programs,” says Department Chair of Neurology, Dr. Andrew Josephson, MD.
Alison Scheid, DPT
Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
Dr. Scheid is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. She is the Director of Physical Therapy Residency Education and Program Director for the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program. Dr. Scheid is highly involved in residency education for physical therapists and develops and teaches postgraduate learners in the areas of concussion and vestibular rehab, neurodynamic, foot and ankle care, and systems-based practice. As a course director and instructor of multiple courses in the graduate physical therapy program, she teaches physical therapy students longitudinally in anatomy, medical screening, and best practices in interprofessional care. “Dr. Scheid’s educational leadership is outstanding. Her dedication to teaching, mentorship, advising, educational leadership, curriculum development, and instructional design has had a lasting positive impact on our academic community,” says Dr. Amber Fitzsimmons, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.
David Sears, MD
Department of Medicine
Dr. Sears is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UCSF Medical Center. He is the Director of DOM Medical Student Electives, where he oversees approximately 50 4th-year electives with the goal of improving the quality and scope of elective offerings. He attends on the Resident Inpatient Service on the Medicine Wards at ZSFG and the ID Consult Service at UCSF, where he also directs the medical student and resident electives. “David is a passionate and highly skilled teacher who has demonstrated tremendous leadership in a number of educational initiatives across UCSF and beyond,” says Dr. Joanne Engel, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases. He is the Site Director of the UCSF Health HIV Continuity Clinic, where he created a novel HIV primary care curriculum which is delivered longitudinally to ID fellows and residents. He is also the Senior Medical Education Lead for Strengthening Interprofessional Education (STRIPE) to Improve HIV Care Across Africa.
Geetha Sivasubramanian, MD, FIDSA
Department of Medicine
Dr. Sivasubramanian is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF Fresno, where she serves as the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program Director. She has revitalized the program’s curriculum with innovative teaching methods that emphasize a robust clinical reasoning approach, encouraging her learners to always ask "why?" in their practice. Dr. Sivasubramanian is dedicated to educating and mentoring infectious diseases fellows, internal and family medicine residents, and medical students in both inpatient and outpatient settings. “As a teacher, Dr. Sivasubramanian distinguishes herself through her dynamic and engaging instructional methods. Her initiatives, including boot camp programs, case-based discussions, and specialized curricula, have received overwhelming positive feedback and have fostered a conducive learning environment,” comments Dr. Vipul Jain, Chief of Medicine at UCSF Fresno. She is passionate about addressing health disparities in infections and actively mentors many students, trainees, and faculty in research focused on health disparities and Valley Fever in Central California.
Shelene Stine, MD, MPH
Department of Medicine
Dr. Shelene Stine is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine at ZSFG, where she provides resident and medical student bedside teaching as well as direct care to patients. She is the Head of Assessment and Clinical Partnerships at the UC Berkeley UCSF Joint Medical Program, where she develops and delivers curricula in various branches of the program and manages student assessment and preceptorships. Her work is described as having “a profound impact on medical education at UCSF” by Dr. Larissa Thomas, Interim Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine. She has supported integration of antiracism, trauma-informed care, interprofessional collaboration, and anti-ableism throughout the program's curricula, and has developed curricular innovations to better prepare students for the transition to clinical learning. “As a teaching attending at ZSFG, she coached students and residents to adopt an antiracist and compassionate approach to patient care,” says Dr. Neil R. Powe, Chief of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
Mark Terrelonge, MD, MPH
Department of Neurology
Dr. Terrelonge is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology. He is also the associate Program Director of the UCSF Neurology Residency. He sees patients with disorders of the nerve, muscle, neuromuscular junction, and spine. He also cares for general Neurology patients at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and Neuromuscular and ALS patients in the Fresno region. “He jumped in right away to take over the newly formed Fresno UCSF ALS satellite clinic and even started a new clinic virtually in Hawaii,” says Dr. Catherine Lomen-Hoerth, Chief of the Division of Neuromuscular He has a special interest in patients from rural and underserved areas of California.
During COVID-19, Mark was there finding innovative ways to see patients remotely and thinking of strategies to optimize patients’ clinic experience along with aiding in the teaching of our medical students who were suddenly faced with finding ways to learn neurology remotely,” says Dr. Catherine Lomen-Hoerth, Chief of the Division of Neuromuscular.
Lydia Tinajero-Deck, MD
Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Tinajero-Deck is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Primary Care. Her primary focus is her clinical practice and clinical teaching of pediatric residents at the Federally Qualified Health Center Primary Care Clinic at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, a unique clinic setting that provides health care to a diverse and underserved population. Dr. Tinajero-Deck is also the GME faculty lead for Community and Health Equity where she co-developed and improved the content in the primary care residency curriculum with a lens of cultural humility. “These responsibilities underscore her dedication to fostering a culture of inclusivity, mentorship and excellence in medical education and health care,” says Dr. Raphael Hirsch, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. She is co-founder of the Latinx affinity group "Chom Unidad" for the BCH-Oakland Pediatric Residency Program. She is a proud graduate of the Teaching Scholars Program and recipient of the inaugural Excellence in Mentoring Award for UCSF Teaching Faculty from AME 2023.
Trang Trinh, PharmD, MPH
Department of Clinical Pharmacy
Dr. Trinh is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy and a UCSF Health Learning Health System Coach. She teaches and mentors pharmacy students, residents, and fellows on infectious diseases pharmacotherapy and research methodologies. As a passionate clinical sciences educator, she contributes to the development of the UCSF PharmD curriculum and the improvement of the assessment approaches and shares these various experiences at national conferences. In addition to her roles in the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Trinh also provides lean training to further support multidisciplinary learners conducting continuous improvement work at UCSF Health. “Dr. Trinh made a significant contribution to the School of Pharmacy’s new compressed curriculum, including developing new learning materials, designing workshop materials, and incorporating new technologies and trends used in practice into her teaching,” says Dr. Jennifer Cocohoba, Interim Chair of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy.
John Turnbull, MD
Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
Dr. Turnbull is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care. He attends and supervises residents, medical students, and fellows in the operating rooms at Parnassus and the cardiac intensive care unit. In addition, he teaches first- and second-year medical students in large and small group formats. He is the Co-Director of the Core Inquiry Curriculum where he aims to develop curriculum and learning opportunities that create and foster an Inquiry Habit of Mind among UCSF medical students from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Turnbull is also the Associate Program Director for Curricular Affairs for the Department of Anesthesia’s residency program where he created the structure and curriculum for Anesthesia Education Days—one of the first of its kind for an anesthesia program nationally. Department Chair, Dr. Michael Gropper cites, “Dr. Turnbull’s contributions to our residency are measurable- our residency has become increasingly competitive over the last 5 years and is viewed as one of the top two residencies in the US.”
Leah Witt Gaspard, MD Department of Medicine
Dr. Witt Gaspard is an Assistant Professor in Geriatrics and Pulmonary Medicine at UCSF. She is the Pulmonary Associate Chief for Ambulatory Affairs and a Fellowship Coach for the Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program. “Her excellence in teaching geriatrics fellows was reflected in her being awarded the Geriatrics Division’s “Teacher of the Year” award,” says colleague, Dr. Michael Harper. Her educational and clinical goals are to improve health and wellbeing for diverse older adults with chronic lung disease via education of the interprofessional team about geriatric principles, quality care, and barriers including ageism and structural racism. She is also a Producer and Associate Editor for the Curbsiders Internal Medicine podcast, “a platform where she creates and disseminates curricula to a broad audience,” cites Prescott Woodruff, Chief of the division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine.
Boyden Staff Awards
Kristi Abrahamsen
Administrative Clinic Supervisor, Dentistry
Kristi Abrahamsen currently serves as the Administrative Clinic Supervisor in the School of Dentistry. Kristi, Co-Captain of the UCSF ADEX Cheer Squad in April 2024, exemplifies exceptional dedication and leadership. She organized and led a team of volunteers, including faculty and the Dean, to support dental students during the stressful licensure exams by providing refreshments and encouragement. Her commitment extends beyond her role; Kristi is a protective and supportive presence in the Dental Center, often stepping in to assist students and staff during challenging situations. Recognized for her leadership potential, she was selected to attend the UCSF Leadership Institute. Kristi has implemented Individual Development Plans for her team, leading to improved staff morale and clinic performance. Her work ethic, respect for others, and unwavering integrity contribute significantly to the School of Dentistry's mission. Kristi also champions diversity and fosters collaboration, making her a vital and inspiring part of the clinic team.
Suria Sadat, Fellowship Administrator Department of Pathology
Suria Sadat, is the Fellowship Administrator, in the Department of Pathology. With a decade of experience at UCSF, spanning roles in the Department of Pediatrics, the GME office, and now the Department of Pathology, Suria has become an invaluable asset. Since joining Pathology in October 2021, she has transformed our fellowship programs with her exceptional knowledge of GME policies and remarkable efficiency. Despite inheriting a challenging backlog, Suria has successfully revamped operational processes, led two fellowships to ACGME accreditation, and adapted one to an NST program. Her optimism, meticulous organization, and dedication have enhanced our fellowship application and interview processes. Suria's efforts, recognized in recent GME surveys and through multiple awards, embody UCSF's PRIDE Values. Her leadership, respectfulness, and commitment to diversity and inclusion make her a deserving recipient of the Boyden Award.
Exceptional ServiceAward in Medical Education
Kelly O'Brien, Curriculum Coordinator
Assessment, Curriculum, Evaluations (ACE)
Kelly O’Brien has been an exceptional Curriculum Coordinator for the PISCES program since joining in 2022. Kelly excesl in managing the complex logistics of scheduling and coordinating a cohort of 16 PISCES students, each with 8 different preceptors. Kelly's organizational skills, efficiency, and communication prowess have significantly enhanced the program’s operations. Kelly's professionalism and insightful approach have made interactions with students and faculty alike seamless and productive. In 2023, Kelly admirably stepped into a co-director role for the IDS 113 course during an unexpected absence, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and dedication. Their involvement in the The AntiOppression Curriculum Initiative (AOCI) Disability Task Force highlights their commitment to equity and inclusion. Kelly is celebrated for their teamwork, reliability, and unwavering support for students and colleagues, earning them a well-deserved reputation as a vital and respected team member.
Jennifer Vogt, Director Graduate Medical Education (GME)
Jennifer Vogt serves at the Director of Graduate Medical Eduction (GME). In the past year, Ms. Vogt has profoundly transformed our organization as Director of GME. Since taking on the role in Spring 2023, she has revitalized the office, which faced low engagement scores and staff shortages. Under her leadership, Gallup Engagement scores soared to 4.65, with a perfect 5.0 rating in staff care. Ms. Vogt’s commitment to staff wellbeing is evident through her successful recruitment, onboarding efforts, and innovative team-building initiatives, such as retreats and social gatherings. She fosters a supportive work culture with a hybrid structure, weekly shout-outs, and a focus on collaborative teamwork. Balancing two roles for 15 months, Ms. Vogt upheld high standards and advanced both positions through creative solutions and continuous staff development. Her dedication to UCSF’s PRIDE values—professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence—ensures our GME programs meet the highest standards and support an inclusive, effective learning environment.
Damon Tweedy, MD
Dr. Damon Tweedy is the author of Black Man in a White Coat and Facing the Unseen: The Struggle to Center Mental Health in Medicine. He has published articles about race and medicine in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). His columns and op-eds have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, and various other print publications. Dr. Damon Tweedy frequently travels to speak to
physicians and clinicians, healthcare companies, medical schools, teaching hospitals, and other organizations involved in health and wellness about the impact of race on the medical profession at all levels. Dr. Tweedy is a graduate of Duke University School of Medicine and Yale Law School. He completed both his medical internship and psychiatry residency at Duke Hospital. He is currently a professor of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine and a staff psychiatrist at the Durham Veteran Affairs Health Care System. You can visit his website and Facebook page for additional information.
Members 2023
Shelley Adler, PhD
Nima Afshar, MD
Manish Aghi, MD, PhD
Sarah Alba-Nguyen, MD, MPH
Celeste Allen, MD
Adnan Alseidi, MD, EdM
Loren Alving, MD*
Allan Basbaum, PhD
Noriko Tei Boyd Anderson, MD, MPH
Bianca Argueza, MD, MPH
Meg Autry, MD
Amin Azzam, MD, MA
Jennifer Babik, MD, PhD
Mona Bajestan, DDS, MS
Kenny Banh, MD
Robert Baron, MD, MS
Rebecca Berman, MD
Martin Bogetz, MD
Sharya Vaughan Bourdet, PharmD, BCPS
Steve Braunstein, MD, PhD
Benjamin N. Breyer, MD, MAS
Kristine Breyer, MD*
Erica Brode, MD, MPH*
Sam Brondfield, MD, MAEd
Katherine Brooks, MD
E. Alexandra Brown, MD
Marek Brzezinski, MD, PhD
Sara Buckelew, MD, MPH
Danielle Campagne, MD
Andre Campbell, MD
Lundy J. Campbell, MD
Annette Carley DNP MS
Anna Chang, MD
Jolie Chang, MD, MEng
Jack Chase, MD
Lee-may Chen, MD
Pei Chen, MD
David Chia, MD, MSc
Rachel Chin, MD
Peter Chin-Hong, MD, MAS
Lei Choi, MD, MPH
Nancy Choi, MD
Calvin Chou, MD, PhD
Daniel Ciccarone, MD, MPH
Valerie Clinard, PharmD, Aph
Carmen Cobb, MD
Denise Connor, MD
Miles Conrad, MD, MPH
Molly Cooke, MD
Kelly M. Cordero, MD
Susannah Cornes, MD
Patricia Cornett, MD
Nicole M. Cresalia, MD
Eddie Cruz-Romero, MD, MPH
Madhavi Dandu, MD, MPH
Denise Davis, MD
Mansi Desai, MD
Gurpreet Dhaliwal, MD
Anand Dhruva, MD
Anthony Ding, MD
Vanja Douglas, MD
Jacque Duncan, MD
David Duong, MD, MS
Tammy Duong, MD
April Edwell, MD, MAEd
Odinakachukwu Ann Ehie, MD, FASA
David Elkin, MD
Martha Elster, MD
Archna Eniasivam, MD
Christopher Fee, MD
Mitchell Feldman, MD, MPhil
Alicia Fernandez, MD
Sabrina Fernandez, MD
Marla Ferschl, MD
Darren Fiore, MD
Amber Fitzsimmons, PT, MS, DPTSc
Lynn A. Flint, MD
Leslie Floren, PharmD, PhD, MAEd
Audrey Foster-Barber, MD, PhD
James Frank, MD, MA
Tracy Fulton, PhD
Meghana Gadgil, MD, MPH
Megha Garg, MD, MPH, FACP
Elizabeth Gatewood, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CNE
Alan Gelb, MD
Jeffrey Gelfand, MD, MAS, FAAN
Sarah Goglin, MD
Andrew Goldberg, MD, MSCE, FACS
Robin S. Goldman, MD, MPH
Ivan Gomez, MD
David Gordon, MD, MPH
Sally Graglia, MD, MPH , FACEP
Beth Griffiths, MD, MPH*
Katherine Gruenberg, PharmD, MAEd
Michelle Guy, MD
Monica Hahn, MD, MPH, MS*
Elizabeth Harleman, MD
Michael Harper, MD
Aaron Harries, MD
Natalie Buu Hastings, DMD, Karen Hauer, MD, PhD
Duncan Henry, MD
Kenzo Hirose, MD
Lily Hitchner, MD
Claire Horton, MD, MPH
Stephanie Lynn Hsia, PharmD
Gerald Hsu, MD
Marianne Hultgren, DNP, RN, CNE
Erick Hung, MD
Katherine Hyland, PhD
Corina Iacopetti, MD
David Irby, PhD
Rebecca Jackson, MD
S Andrew Josephson, MD
Elizabeth Joyce, PhD
Mindy Ju, MD, MAEd*
Marianne Juarez, MD
Katherine Julian, MD
Shruti Kant, MD*
Priya Kathpalia, MD
Shieva Khayam-Bashi, MD
Edward Kim, MD
Renee Kinman, MD, PhD
Barbie Klein, PhD, MS
Abner Korn, MD
Marieke Kruidering-Hall, PhD*
Irina (Era) V. Kryzhanovskaya, MD
Vishal Kumar, MD, FSIR
Anda Kuo, MD
Angel Kuo, RN, MSN, PNP
Jeannette Lager, MD, MPH
Cindy Lai, MD
Harry Lampiris, MD
Ryan Laponis, MD, MSci
Catherine Lau, MD
Ellen Laves, MD
Erica Lawson, MD
Phuoc Le, MD, MPH, DTM&H
Lorriana Leard, MD
Isabel D. Lee, MD
Kewchang Lee, MD*
Sara Lewin, MD
Ben C. Li, MD
Descartes Li, MD
Matthew Lin, MD*
Margaret Lin-Martore, MD
Daphne Lo, MD, MAEd
Helen Loeser, MD, MSc
Catherine Lomen-Hoerth, MD, PhD
Andrea Long, MD
Michele Long, MD
Daniel Lowenstein, MD
Catherine Lucey, MD
Andrew Lui, DPT
Katherine Lupton, MD, FACP
Conan MacDougall, PharmD, MAS
Jennifer Mandal, MD
Solmaz Manuel, MD
Jyothi Marbin, MD
Mary E. Margaretten, MD, MAS
Marta Margeta, MD, PhD
Andrea Marmor, MD, MSEd
Erin Mathes, MD
Lindsay Mazotti, MD
Meg McNamara, MD
Neil Mehta, MD
Katerina Melino, MS, PMHNP-BC
Biftu M. Mengesha, MD MAS
Anna Meyer, MD, FACS, FAAP*
Lisa Mihaly, RN, MS, FNP
Carol Miller, MD
Lynnea Mills, MD*
Igor Mitrovic, MD
Bradley Monash, MD
Jillian Mongelluzzo, MD, MAEd
Rita Mukhtar, MD
Andrew Murr, MD
Members 2023 Cont
Sirisha Narayana, MD*
Jacqueline A. Nemer, MD
Zarin Noor MD, MPH
Heather Nye, MD, PhD
Snehlata Oberoi, BDS, DDS, MDS
Bridget O'Brien, PhD
Meghan O'Brien, MD, MBE
Lisa Ochoa-Frongia, MD
Patricia O’Sullivan, EdD
Iris M. Otani, MD
Maxine Papadakis, MD
Manuel Pardo, Jr., MD
Neeti Parikh, MD
J. Colin Partridge, MD, MPH
Alyssa Perez, MD, MEd
Alissa Peterson, MD
Michael Peterson, MD
Binh An P. Phan, MD
Edgar Pierluissi, MD
Steven Pletcher, MD
Ann Poncelet, MD, FAAN*
Evelyn Porter, MD, MS
Mukund Premkumar, MD,
Atif Qasim, MD, MSCE, FASE
Michael Rabow, MD
Raga Ramachandran, MD, PhD*
Sumant Ranji, MD
Nailyn Rasool, MD
Mike Reid, MD, MPH, MA
Stephanie Rennke, MD
Mehan Richie, MD
Nardine Riegels, MD
Josette Rivera, MD
Patricia Robertson, MD
Dana Rohde, PhD*
Sanziana Roman, MD
Demian Rose, MD, PhD
Glenn Rosenbluth, MD
Laura Rubinos, MD*
Emma Samelson-Jones, MD
Henry Sanchez, MD
Joseph Sanford, MD
Lekshmi Santhosh, MD, MAEd*
*Endowed Chair Holders
Jason Satterfield, PhD
George Sawaya, MD
Stacy Sawtelle Vohra, MD
Alison Scheid, DPT
Nicole Schroeder, MD
Brian Schwartz, MD
David Sears, MD
Andreea Seritan, MD
Justin Sewell, MD, MPH
Ashkon Shaahinfar, MD, MPH
Yalda Shahram, MD
Bradley Sharpe, MD
Wen T. Shen, MD, MA
Jaekyu Shin, PharmD
Kanade Shinkai, MD, PhD*
William Shore, MD
Rebecca Shunk, MD
Geetha Sivasubramanian, MD, FIDSA
Wade Smith, MD, PhD
Jody Steinauer, MD
Chris Stewart, MD
Shelene Stine, MD, MPH
Naomi Ellen Stotland, MD
Joseph Sullivan, MD
Kristina Sullivan, MD
Miranda Surjadi, RN, MS, ANP-BC
Jeffrey Tabas, MD
Sonny T. Tat, MD, MPH
Arianne Teherani, PhD
Mark Terrelonge, MD, MPH
Larissa Thomas, MD, MPH*
Lydia Tinajero Deck, MD
Vanessa Thompson, MD
Paul Toogood, MD, MS*
Kimberley Topp, PhD, PT
Steven Tringali, DO
Trang Trinh, PharmD, MPH
Rupa Tuan, PhD
John Turnbull, MD
Amanda Twigg, MD
Ram Vaderhobli, DDS, MS
Sandrijn van Schaik, MD, PhD
Margo Vener, MD, MPH
Dina Wallin, MD
Maria Wamsley, MD
Emily Webb, MD*
Heidi Werner, MD, MSHPEd
Daniel J. Wheeler, MD
Sara Whetstone, MD, MHS*
Mia Williams, MD
Lisa Winston, MD
Leah Witt Gaspard, MD
Susan Wlodarczyk, MD
Naomi Wortis, MD
Pinelopi Xenoudi, DDS, MS
Serena Yang, MD, MPH
Sharon Youmans, PharmD, MPH
VyVy N. Young, MD, FACS
April Zaat, MD
Lydia Zablotska, MD, PhD, MPA*
Carly Zapata, MD, MPH
Josué A. Zapata, MD, MBA
Crystal Zhou, PharmD
Tali Ziv, MD
The Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators
Office of Medical Education
521 Parnassus Avenue, Floor 2
San Francisco, CA 94117
Membership Committee:
Erin Mathes MD, Chair
Raquel Rodriguez-Piscitello, MBA Staff
Rebecca Berman, MD
Kristine Breyer, MD
Danielle Campagne, MD
Andre Campbell, MD
Lee Choi, MD, MPH
Jacque Duncan, MD
Christopher Fee, MD
Darren Fiore, MD
James Frank, MD
Sarah Goglin, MD
Erick Hung, MD
Era Kryzhanovskaya, MD
Cindy Lai, MD
Descartes Li, MD
Evelyn Porter, MD, MS
Ann Poncelet, MD, FAAN
Nailyn Rasool, MD
Brian Schwartz, MD
Miranda Surjadi, RN, MS, ANP-BC
Paul Toogood, MD, MS
April Zaat, MD
Our mission is to support the people who carry out and advance the education mission of UCSF through community, diversity, advocacy, service and innovation.
We strive to promote an organizational culture that values educators and accelerates advances in teaching and learning to improve health.
Ann Poncelet, MD, FAAN, Director
Raquel Rodriguez-Piscitello, MBA, Director, Center for Faculty Educators
