Faculty Development & Awards

UCSF-Coro Faculty Leadership Collaborative 

This program develops culturally competent, collaborative, and results-oriented leadership skills. Participants gain practical tools, build meaningful relationships across UCSF, and enhance their self-awareness as leaders. The program includes 10 days of in-person and virtual sessions (approximately 75 hours) plus time for individual projects. A recent study highlighted its success, with 33% of URM participants and 46% of women URM participants attaining leadership roles such as dean or department chair.  Sessions occur twice a year. Prior attendees are listed here. Contact [email protected] for more details.  

UC-Coro Systemwide Leadership Collaborative 

This year-long program focuses on leadership skills and collaboration across the UC system. Participants engage in seminars, assignments, and group projects on systemwide initiatives. The program includes in-person intensives, virtual sessions, and personalized coaching. It prepares faculty for leadership roles within the UC system. The application deadline is typically in the Fall.  Contact [email protected] for more details.    

UCSF Health Network Executive Leadership Academy 

This nine-month hybrid program helps faculty strengthen leadership abilities, motivate teams, and address organizational challenges. Participants learn from UCSF executives, academic leaders, and external experts in business and leadership. The program emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and aims to cultivate visionary leaders within UCSF Health. Application deadline is typically in the Spring.  Contact [email protected] for more details.  

UCSF Leadership Institute 

This collaboration between the UCSF School of Nursing and UCSF Health, situated within the UCSF Health Center for Nursing Excellence & Innovation, offers several cohort-based, leadership development programs for healthcare professionals and academic leaders at different career stages. The UCSF Leadership Institute focuses on interprofessional development, with an emphasis on advancing translational science, fostering organizational leadership, and bridging the gap between practice and academic institutions. Additional details about programs are available here. Contact [email protected] for more information.

American Association of Physician Leadership (AALP) Programs

AALP offers comprehensive programs to enhance physicians' leadership skills, including the Certified Physician Executive (CPE) credential and master's degree partnerships. Physicians can choose from live events and online courses to fit their schedules and learning preferences. Information is available on the AALP website.

American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Executive Program

The ACHE Executive Program offers healthcare leaders immersive learning experiences both in-person and virtual. The program covers topics such as multigenerational leadership, change management, and healthcare policies. Details are available on the ACHE website.

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Leadership Development Programs 

The AAMC offers several leadership seminars. UCSF’s School of Medicine sponsors four faculty annually for five different seminars, with applications announced throughout the year (February, March, June, August, and October). For more information, visit the AAMC website.

The California Healthcare Foundation (CHCF) Health Care Leadership Program 

This two-year, part-time fellowship prepares clinicians and healthcare professionals to lead transformative change. The program selects up to 32 participants annually, including physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and behavioral health providers.  Application deadline is typically in late Spring. Contact [email protected] for more information.  

The Faculty Success Program (NCFDD) 

This 10-week virtual program helps faculty enhance productivity, manage workload, and achieve academic success. Sessions are held in Spring (Jan–Mar), Summer (May–Jul), and Fall (Sep–Dec). Participants receive expert-led training, peer support, and personalized coaching. UCSF's institutional membership is sponsored by the Campus Council on Faculty Life (CCFL) through the VPAA Office.  Faculty can activate their membership via this link: NCFDD 

Harvard Macy Institute Professional Development Courses

The Harvard Macy Institute provides advanced programs that support and connect health care leaders worldwide. These programs are designed to accelerate the careers of educators, clinicians, and administrators by focusing on leadership, innovation in health care and education, and the integration of technology in teaching. Courses combine interactive learning, project-based work, and collaboration to foster professional and personal growth. Deadlines for applications differ depending on the program. For detailed information on specific deadlines, please visit the Harvard Macy Institute website.

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Programs 

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers executive education programs to enhance leadership, policy, and management skills in public health. Available in both in-person and online formats, these programs address emerging health challenges, data analytics, and strategic decision-making. Participants gain expert insights and practical tools to drive change in global health initiatives. Application deadlines vary by program. For more information on specific deadlines, please visit the Harvard ECPE Programs page. 

The Physicians Foundation’s Leadership Institute at Brandeis University

The Physicians Foundation’s Leadership Institute at Brandeis University offers a 12-month program for physicians to enhance leadership skills, address key health drivers, and influence policy decisions. The program covers tuition and travel costs, provides CME credits, and includes both virtual and in-person sessions. Only 25 physicians are selected nationwide, with a commitment to full participation. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected] 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellows

The RWJF Health Policy Fellows program offers mid-career professionals the chance to gain hands-on experience in federal health policy while working closely with senior government officials. Fellows engage in an immersive orientation and then take on key roles as senior advisors, contributing to legislative and regulatory proposals, organizing policy events, and briefing top officials on critical health issues. Key dates are available on the RWJF Health Policy Fellows website. Program information is available here.

The SOM faculty travel award for Child, Elder, or Dependent Care has been available since 2008. In fact, our team has published about this work.

Eligibility

• School of Medicine faculty member who holds an appointment with a step designation
• Rank: Assistant, Associate, Professor
• Series: Adjunct, Clinical X, HS Clinical, In Residence, Ladder Rank

Award

• Maximum $2,000 for one professional conference/meeting
• Faculty members may receive up to two (2) travel awards during their career at UCSF.

Criteria

1. The Faculty Travel Award is for faculty members who have significant childcare, eldercare, or other dependent care responsibilities and who plan to attend a professional conference/meeting.
2. The Faculty Travel Award is intended to support professional development by facilitating dissemination of scholarship and expansion of professional networks. The faculty member must give a presentation, serve as a moderator, convene a research consortium, or otherwise demonstrate that attending the conference is important for career advancement. Examples include giving a talk or moderating a panel at a professional conference, presenting grand rounds or serving as visiting professor at an academic program, convening a planning meeting for a multi-center clinical study, or attending a leadership development conference.
3. The purpose of the award is not simply to enable family members to accompany the faculty member to the professional conference/meeting; there must be a reason that they need to travel with the faculty member. The faculty member must utilize the Faculty Travel Award funds to support childcare, elder care or other dependent care expenses that are incurred directly in conjunction with the faculty member's attendance at the professional conference/meeting.
4. Given the new campus policies (travel-related dependent care; reimbursing dependent care with external funds), eligible funds from your department and/or travel grants should be used first since the SOM travel award only covers limited eligible dependent expenses.
5. To comply with regulations, UCSF must continue to proactively protect our research enterprise from threats and manage research security risks. Applicants are required to consult with the UCSF Export Control Office and Risk Advisory and Insurance Services (RAIS) depending on the intended destination. Please refer to: Research Security and Compliance Trainings and Resources.

Application Process

1. Contact Ms. Sheila Quimpo via email at [email protected] regarding details about what qualifies as a dependent, and examples of allowable and unallowable expenses. Faculty then can complete the application.
2. Prepare a budget that describes how the Faculty Travel Award funds will be used to support expenses for childcare, eldercare or dependent care. Expenses may be incurred at either the site of the professional conference/meeting or at home.
3. Submit a one paragraph description that summarizes why this funding is important and how participation in the professional conference/meeting and the presentation will enhance career advancement.
4. Funding must be requested at least one month ahead of travel and notification will occur within two weeks of receipt of the application.
5. Any change to the approved budget should be submitted in advance for review and approval.
6. Awards are granted on a rolling basis throughout the year until the funds have been expended.

Click here for application.

*If you have any questions, contact Sheila Quimpo at 476-4237 or via email at [email protected].

The Irene Perstein Award is awarded annually by the UCSF School of Medicine to an outstanding, newly recruited, junior faculty scientist. This unique award honors the legacy of Ms. Irene Perstein, who donated funds to support junior women faculty at UCSF. Read about the 2024 awardees and 2023 awardees, Drs. Karly Murphy and Bridget Ostrem.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates include faculty members who started their initial appointment as Assistant Professor (regardless of series) between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, who are expected to develop a high caliber independent research program in basic, clinical, or translational science. The award is for up to $80,000 total and may be used for salary support, staff, or equipment.

Previous Awardees

2024: Sheiphali Gandhi, MD, MPH, Courtney Lane-Donovan, MD, PhD, and Monica Yang, MD
2023: Karly Murphy, MD, MHS, MSc and Bridget Ostrem, MD, PhD

Nominations

Nominations should be submitted by the Department Chair/ORU Director. The nomination packet should include four components: 1) a one-page (maximum) letter from the Chair or ORU Director that describes the candidate’s qualifications; and 2) a one-page (excluding citations) letter from the candidate which describes the proposed research and the anticipated impact of the Irene Perstein award; and 3) the candidate’s current CV; and 4) the candidate's offer letter

Applications & Selection Criteria

Applications should be addressed to Paul Garcia, MD, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, and submitted in a single PDF to Oriol Zales.

Selection criteria include:

1. Scientific merit of the proposal, including novelty/innovation (if applicable, include factors that limit current funding opportunities), feasibility and the potential impact on human health
2. Impact on the candidate’s research and career development. The ideal candidate has not yet secured a large extramural grant or benefitted from a large start-up package.

Timeline
Request for Applications (RFA)	April 7, 2025
Applications Due	May 12, 2025
Award Notification	June 20, 2025

The School of Medicine Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Outreach sponsor the registration fee for up to 4 faculty members who have been accepted by the AAMC to attend each of the seminars listed below. All remaining expenses (CME, transportation, lodging, etc.) are paid by the faculty member and/or the faculty member’s department/ORU/division.

The Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar is designed for women physicians and scientists with a faculty appointment at UCSF with a minimum of two years’ experience as an Assistant Professor. Annually in February and July. Locations TBD.

The Mid-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar is designed for women physicians and scientists with a faculty appointment at UCSF with a minimum of two years’ experience as an Associate Professor. Annually in December. Location TBD.

The Minority Faculty Leadership Development Seminar is designed for junior faculty (clinical instructors and assistant professors) who aspire to leadership positions in academic medicine. The date of the next seminar is TBD.

The Mid-Career Minority Faculty Seminar is designed for faculty members at the associate professor level who aspire to leadership positions in academic medicine. Annually in October. Location TBD.

 

*UCSF Faculty recently sponsored to attend (see list)