Diversity Hub

We in the department of Neurosurgery are working in partnership with the non-profit organization Oasis for Girls to offer paid internship programs for underserved high school female youth of color (ages 14-18) to expose them to medical and healthcare professional careers with mentorship, career path exploration, and professional development through hospital rotations in labs, the OR, and other academic or healthcare locations, with research projects, presentations, and interactive activities. We accept a group of 15-18 youth per cycle with 3 application / intern cycles per year. We are expanding our programs to reach other demographics (e.g. young Black males, LGBTQ+ youth, college pre-med students). Altogether these programs are housed under the title Neurosurgery Community Internship Programs (NCIP).

Inside UCSF is an annual outreach program geared towards students at two- and four-year degree schools who are interested in pursuing careers in health and science. This interprofessional opportunity is designed to: introduce students to a specific health science career path; provide opportunities to meet with students and faculty; and offer a chance to become inspired about future career possibilities.

This innovative program, started in 2009, educates students and providers about healthcare disparities faced by members of the LGBTQI community. Specialists in LGBTQI healthcare are brought together to discuss a wide range of topics including transgender health, bisexual invisibility, lesbian health, intersex awareness, gay men's health, youth and aging issues, and LGBTQI parenting. Attendees are given the opportunity to interact with specialists through small breakout sessions and panel discussions featuring community professionals and patients. The forum includes several opportunities for professional networking and is offered as elective credit for current UCSF students.

CTRFP is a yearlong pre-doctoral training program open to students in UCSF School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy and School of Dentistry. The program provides training and mentorship to pre-doctoral students in clinical and translational research methodology and practice. Students who wish to participate must take a year off from their studies and commit one year (July-June) to clinical and translational research work under the guidance of a UCSF mentor. The program is also available to medical students outside of UCSF through the Doris Duke International Clinical Research Fellowship (details can be found here: CTR Fellowship Programs International Research). Funding for this yearlong program is available to students through RAPtr and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

The vast majority of people holding biomedical PhDs find work, but the number of PhDs who obtain tenure-track faculty positions now represents a shrinking minority. The MIND program is an experiment in career development and exploration, funded by an NIH Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) award. We hope to provide better resources for students and postdocs who wish to explore the wide range of possible career outcomes that are available to biomedical trainees, and better support for the faculty who mentor them. Program is funded through an NIH Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) Award.

Voces Latinas Nursing Student Association (VOCES) is a student-based organization at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The purpose of VOCES is to unite students from diverse backgrounds with an interest and passion for the Latino community. Through our educational journey, unique backgrounds, and commitment to community- we aspire to be a source of support to our peers, while highlighting the rewarding field of nursing.

Current, selected UCSF medical students will take on a semester-long mentorship role over selected UC Berkeley AMSA (American Medical Students Association) members in order to expose the mentees to what being a medical student is like. The mentors will be available by email, text, etc. to answer the mentees' questions and provide guidance. The mentors and mentees are also required to meet face-to-face at least once during the mentorship, and also during possible UCSF campus/medical school tour(s). This is an excellent outreach opportunity for UCSF medical students to help and guide aspiring doctors, and this is a fantastic opportunity for premedical students to receive top-notch mentorship!

The Women in Academic Medicine group was formed at UCSF Fresno in 2014 to create a supportive community to help foster and support women pursuing academic careers in medicine at all stages of their careers. The group meets quarterly (October, January, April and July) to provide career development and networking opportunities.

The Health Professions Education Pathway trains innovators from all health professions fields who promote excellence in teaching, translate theory and novel strategies to the learning environment, and expand knowledge in the field of health professions education.

The Black Student Health Alliance (BSHA) is a student organization devoted to fostering community among students in the Schools of Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Physical Therapy and the Graduate Division at UCSF. In collaboration with other campus organizations, we aim to increase diversity within the student body, as well as among faculty and staff. As an extension of this mission, we offer support and guidance to students as they navigate academic institutions and prepare for careers in the health professions. BSHA provides an extended community of peers and mentors by building alliances among professionals and alumni in all health fields, and encourages the collaboration of resources and expertise. Through community events and outreach activities, BSHA contributes to the enrichment of the Black student community in particular, and to the broader UCSF community at large.