UCSF Advanced Practice Providers June 2026

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IMPORTANT UPDATES

Added new location for return demonstration of CPR skills validation --Burlingame. Click for more info.

Nomination form available for 2026 Exceptional APP awards. Click here.

July 16, 2026: IMAX early premier. The Odyssey. Sign up to watch it with your APP peers. Click for more info.

APP SPOTLIGHT

APP Retires From Pediatric Rehab

Submitted by Tara Valcarcel and Nicholas Carvelli

After years as a cornerstone of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Program, Joyce Harvey, PNP is retiring. A dedicated advocate for children with spina bifida and complex disabilities, Joyce leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of compassionate, expert care. Please join us in celebrating Joyce and wishing her a wonderful next chapter.

Celebrating The Walk To End Bladder Cancer

Submitted by Krisztina Emodi, MP-C, PMH, CNS

Organized by UCSF Bladder Cancer Survivorship lead Krisztina Emodi (in photo: third from the right), San Francisco marked its first official in-person walk on May 9, 2026. The event raised over $120,000 to support patient programs, research, and advocacy through the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), making it the top-performing walk among 21 cities nationwide in 2026 and the highest grossing walk to date. Each day, 232 people will hear the words, "you have bladder cancer." Read more.

The Role of the APP in ElectroPhysiology Practices

Submitted by Nadja Wlasiuk, DNP, APRN

Nadja Wlasiuk, DNP, APRN was invited to present "The Role of the APP in EP Practices' Success," highlighting the critical contributions of Advanced Practice Providers to the growth, efficiency, and quality of electrophysiology practices. She presented at the Heart Rhythm Society 2026 Scientific Sessions, Chicago, Illinois, April 24-27, 2026. In addition, Dr. Wlasiuk was selected for the 2027 Leadership and Education for Allied Professionals (LEAP) Program through HRS. The LEAP program is a highly competitive national leadership development initiative that typically selects approximately 20 participants annually from a large pool of applicants. Selection is based on a rigorous application process that includes a curriculum vitae, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.

Erin Flatley Chairs Roundtable Discussion at Heart Rhythm Society 2026 Scientific Sessions
Submitted by Nadja Wlasiuk, DNP, APRN

Erin Flatley, MSN, APRN presented two scientific posters in Chicago, April 24-27, 2026 at the Heart Rythm Society Scientific Session. The posters were "Creation of an Advanced Practice Provider-Directed Pre- and Post-Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Clinic Is Associated With Rapid Reduction in Appointment Wait Times"and "Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Reprogramming to Cure Ventricular Fibrillation". In addition, Flatley chaired the roundtable discussion "APPs as Investigators and QI Leaders: How to Turn Clinical Frustrations into Publishable Projects," facilitating discussion on APP-led research and quality improvement initiatives. These accomplishments reflect the ongoing leadership, innovation, and scholarly contributions of UCSF APPs at the national level and their commitment to advancing patient care, research, and professional development within electrophysiology.

Recognizing Anita Markoff As A Treasure to The Team

Submitted by Andrea Pedersen, PNP

Anita Markoff is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and certified diabetes care an education specialist (CDCES) who cares for children with diabetes or other endocrine disorders. She is recognized by her team for bringing compassion, clinical insight, and collaborative spirit to every patient and family she supports. Both she and Dr. Tester won an award for creating and expanding access to pre-diabetes care. Anita leads with heart, lifts those around her and models the kind of thoughtful, patient-centered care that defines the best of the profession.

Dr. Rebecca Silvers Travels to Geneva

Submitted by Tara Valcarcel, Director of Operations, Cross Bay

Dr. Rebecca Silvers recently participated in a number of global nursing leadership meetings and events during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, joining international nursing leaders, WHO representatives, policymakers, and collaborating centers dedicated to advancing the nursing and advanced practice professions worldwide. Throughout the week, she met with the WHO Chief Nursing Officer, the WHO Technical Officer, and nursing leaders from across the globe to discuss nursing workforce development, leadership, education, and the essential role nurses play in strengthening health systems and advancing equitable care worldwide. Dr. Silvers is an NP3 with pediatric neurosurgery and is the Director of the UCSF Center for Global Nursing. Thank you Dr. Silvers for your tremendous leadership and for representing UCSF on the global stage!

Neurovascular APP Publishes About Lactation Support

Submitted by Alisa Yee, Director of Operations, Adult Services

Shaadi Settecase, ANP, has been an NP with both the Neurointerventional radiology and with the Neurovascular teams at UCSF Health. During her tenure she has made a tremendous impact on both these teams by elevating the quality of care and advocating for patients. One clear example is recognizing and supporting lactating patients during lengthy NeuroInterventional procedures. She and other co-authors published guidelines to help providers plan and discuss the importance of early identification, planning appropriately and shared decision-making with the breastfeeding patient. Moreover, there needs to be multidisciplinary collaboration as intraprocedural milk expression is feasible with appropriate planning and sterile technique, even during complex procedures like Neurointerventional surgery. Read more about these guidelines in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery.

Blue Ribbon Award at UCSF Health Improvement Symposium

Submitted by Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, Chief of APP

Congratulations to Cana Jenkins, MSN, ACNP-BC, and the Emergency Department/Clinical Decision Unit APP team for receiving a Blue Ribbon Award at the 2026 UCSF Health Improvement Symposium. Their quality improvement project implemented a waterfall scheduling model that enabled APPs to reliably cover one another's breaks using existing staffing resources, reducing missed meal-break penalties from near-universal occurrence to approximately 4% of APP shifts. The initiative also generated an estimated annual savings of more than $500,000 while supporting provider well-being, regulatory compliance, and operational sustainability. This work highlights how thoughtful operational redesign can create meaningful value for both our workforce and the organization.

PRIDE Award Goes to Stephanie Calabrese

The PRIDE Experience Awards Quarter 1 2026 were announced in May and Stephanie Calabrese, DNP, FNP-BC, MSc in the Department of Thoracic Surgery Oncology won the award in the Nursing Category. Congratulations Stephanie.

Save The Date--September 21-25, 2026 APP Week

University of Virginia Medical Center is part of the UVA Health System and is this year's host of National APP Week (September 21-25, 2026). During this week, there will be celebrations and recognition of APPs as innovators, educators, collaborators, and leaders inside complex, interdisciplinary care teams. Read more about UVA and National APP Week.

EDUCATION

APP Grand Rounds

Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 12 noon TODAY

Topic: Nutritional Challenges & Management in Fontan Patients

Presented by: Debra Silverman, MS, RDN, LD/N, CCTD, ACE-CPT, CSN

Zoom link Meeting ID: 972 8195 4566 Password: 398180

APP Town Hall

June 17, 2026, 1210-1PM Topic: APP Spotlight TBD

Topic: Patient Refusal Presented by Gabriel Schwartz

Zoom Click here . Meeting ID: 944 3025 2740 Password: 778395

View the recordings and review the slide decks from prior Town Halls. Click here

Pediatric Grand Rounds (West Bay)

Full schedule and archived videos, and Zoom link . Every Thursday, 12-1PM

Email Marcella.azucar@ucsf.edu or call 415-525-1360 for more information

Thursday June 11, 2026

"From Inflammation to Interventions: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Pediatric Neuroinflammatory Conditions"

Presented by Mary Karalius, MD Assistant Professor of Neurology

Pediatric Grand Rounds (East Bay)

For Zoom login information, contact: Cristina Fernandez crfernandez@ucsf.edu, 510-428-3885 ext 4343. Full schedule and archived videos (Password: CHRCO).

Every Tuesday, 8-9AM

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

"Elevated Transaminases in the Pediatric Patient - Nuances of Work Up and Management" Presented by Anne Lyon, MD Pediatric GI, Pediatric Hepatologist UCSF Benioff Childrens SF

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

"Pediatric Thyroid Disease: Diagnostic and Surgical Management from an Otolaryngology Perspective" Presented by Dr. Scott Hirsch, MD Assistant Professor, OHNS, UCSF

American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference

Submitted by Kendall Moulds, Nurse Manager Outpatient Behavioral Health

The APNA Annual Conference is the largest gathering of psychiatric-mental health nurses in the US. It's the premier event for psychiatric-mental health nursing so it's appropriate for all PMH-APRNs. This year's conference will be in Phoenix, Arizona October 28-31, 2026. Consider registering for this conference. Read more.

Science of Caring--News and Features from UCSF School of Nursing

UCSF School of Nursing celebrated National Nurses Month in May with their recent edition of Science of Caring. Read more from Dean Carol Dawson-Rose, PHD, RN, FAAN.

STANDARDS & COMPLIANCE

Are you an Inpatient APP?

If you practice in the adult or pediatric inpatient setting, there is a new module that provides an overview of inpatient billing and coding. Must be completed within 30 days. Click here to go directly to the module. Email advancedpractice@ucsf.edu with any questions.

Guidelines for APP Student Precepting

APPs may not precept students—other than those from UCSF School of Nursing programs—without coordination through the Office of Advanced Practice Providers (OAPP), regardless of whether the student is a UCSF employee. APP students from non-UCSF programs must complete the SmartSheet so the OAPP can verify an active affiliation agreement between the school and UCSF Health before the rotation begins. Learn more about the process for precepting external APP students here. Email advancedpractice@ucsf.edu with any questions.

Documenting Is the Foundation of Quality Care--Best Practices in the Inpatient Setting

Always adjust your APeX login department to an inpatient service (SVC)
Always use .APPNOTE
Document each patient encounter completely, accurately, and on time
Document using these note types: consult, H&P, progress, procedure, significant event or discharge
Document regardless of the shift you work
Document regardless of whether you may bill for the encounter/procedure

To learn more about inpatient documentation, click here for the slide deck. To view APP Town Hall presentation by Office of Compliance and Privacy and Office of Advanced Practice Providers about inpatient documentation, click here.

Want to work more efficiently in APeX? Go to this website and learn more about all the online courses you can take for free. Once on the website, go to Training Home -> Course Catalog -> Role -> SmartUser -> Start with the Introduction Course then you can add the SlicerDicer course (MD212) -> Select course date/time -> go to Cart -> Register self-> leave Cost Center blank -> Submit request. Email advancedpractice@ucsf.edu if you are asked for cost center to charge. There is no fee, and it is available to all APPs.

Attend APeX Reporting Office Hours

Meeting link for office hours

June 17, 1210-1PM

Inpatient Provider APEX Updates June 2026

In Basket ART (Augmented Response Technology): AI-Generated Draft Replies
Cardiology Chart Review Tab - Quick Filter Updates

Ambulatory APEX Updates June 2026

AI-Powered Draft Replies when responding to patient advice messages
E-Consents will be available in July

Renew your BLS/ACLS and DEA

All BLS, ACLS, PALS renewals will now be administered through UCSF Nursing Connect. Safety Training Seminars (STS), our prior vendor, will no longer be available for the above certifications. Only Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) will continue to be offered by STS. Click here for more details about Nursing Connect didactic requirements and hands-on demonstration locations. You must submit a photo or PDF of updated certificate to the appropriate Office of Medical Affairs and Governance expirables@ucsf.edu or medical.staff-oakland@ucsf.edu.

New location added to do the return demonstration for CPR skills validation UCSF Health---Burlingame. 225 California Dr., Burlingame, Room 313 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm)

DEA: UCSF employees are exempt from paying the $888 DEA registration fee for new or renewal applications. Instructions are found here. Also, learn about the one-time DEA education requirement (effective in 2023) to complete 8 hours of continuing education on the topics of treatment and medication management of patients with opioid and other substance use disorders.

UCSF HEALTH

Nominations Now Being Accepted For UCSF APP Exceptional APP Awards

Please help us recognize UCSF Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) with the 2026 Exceptional APP Awards. Recipients will be chosen for their exemplary demonstration of UCSF Health’s PRIDE Values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Excellence.

All nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026.

An electronic nomination form can be completed via the following link: Exceptional APP Award Nomination Form and any questions can be e-mailed to advancedpractice@ucsf.edu or Kurstan.DelRosario@ucsf.edu

Who can nominate?

Any UCSF staff or provider on both sides of the Bay may submit and/or second a nomination. Multiple nominations for individual APPs are acceptable. An APP can self-nominate as long as the nomination has been seconded. All nominations must be seconded.

Nominations are only for APPS (Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Certified Nurse Midwives)
APP virtual award ceremony watch party – Thursday, September 24^th, 2026

Your nomination should include specific examples and support of how the nominee demonstrates excellence as an APP in one or more of the following areas:

Clinician (outstanding patient care, practices to the top of APP scope of practice, improves patient access, etc.)
Educator (including instructors, preceptors, mentors, etc.)
Scientist (research, Evidence Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement (QI), implementation science, publication, presenter/speaker, etc.)
Leader (unit, department, UCSF or community – fosters professional and/or public awareness)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)/Social Justice/Removing Barriers (DEI, social justice, patient access, community outreach, etc.)
Financial Stewardship (improved efficiency, reduced waste, high wRVU, grants, philanthropy, etc.)
New category for 2026--Team (Patient Care Excellence & Collaborative Practice, Research & Innovation, Excellence & Accountability, Education & Advocacy, Mentorship & Preceptorship)

Who is eligible?

Any practicing UCSF Health nurse practitioner, physician assistant, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified registered nurse midwife in the East and West Bay, who has not been a past recipient AND whose primary site of practice is UCSF Health, may be nominated for this award. Previous Individual Exceptional Advanced Practice Award Recipients can be viewed on the UCSF Health Recognition website: EAPP Winner Profiles | Recognize (ucsf.edu)

Conclusion of 2025-2026 Respiratory Viral Season

on behalf of Josh Adler, MD Chief Clinical Officer

National, state, and local surveillance data show declining levels of community respiratory viral infections, signaling that the 2025–2026 respiratory viral season is ending. Effective Friday, May 1, 2026, the following programs will conclude until the start of the next respiratory viral season:

End of the UCSF Health–wide respiratory viral season masking requirement for all direct patient care.
Masking will continue to be required:
For specific Transmission-Based Isolation Precautions (e.g., Droplet Isolation, Novel Respiratory Isolation) and, when appropriate, as part of Standard Precautions (e.g., when splashes or sprays of body fluids are anticipated)
When requested by patients or their families
When required by specific clinical service lines
Staff may continue to wear a mask at any time based on personal preference or comfort
End of the Respiratory Season and Flu Vaccine Programs for employees and patients
End of the visitor age restriction for children under 5 years old at BCH–San Francisco and BCH–Oakland

A successful respiratory virus prevention program requires organizational initiative and broad engagement. We thank you for your continued commitment to providing safe care by preventing respiratory viral transmission.

32 Job Postings for June 2026

Searching for an APP job? Go to HR website and use the search function and enter key words. Or click here for a comprehensive list of APP positions.

QUALITY & SAFETY

UCSF Infectious Diseases Provides Guidelines for Empiric Therapy

On behalf of Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee

These guidelines were in collaboration with multiple clinical groups. They represent consensus-- based on evidenced-based guidelines and local microbiology and susceptibility patterns. Adults click here. or Pediatrics click here.

Tobacco Screening with Every Patient Visit and How to Receive wRVU Credit

On behalf of Ann-Marie Cabonce, Patricia Perdomo, Emmy Garcia

ACRT Clinical Operations Specialists

At every patient visit, please confirm the patient’s tobacco smoking/smokeless status and mark the tobacco screening section as “reviewed”. Even when there is no update, this simple action helps ensure accurate, up-to-date documentation and contributes meaningfully to UCSF Health's overall compliance performance. If the patient is a current smoker, one of the following interventions are required to receive wRVU credit -- referral to Fontana Tobacco Treatment Center or Prescription for cessation aid. Click here for full description of screening process.

Press Ganey Comments about NPs, PAs, CRNAs, Midwives

"UCSF is a world-class organization. I am both humbled and honored to be a part of the World Class Culture that UCSF radiates. Whoever does the hiring, the training and sets the employees in motion, my hat is off to you. I feel seen, heard, safe, cared for and protected not just at the hospital, but at each appointment in each department. What a wonderful place to regather my health, and "regather I did" ...

Advanced Heart Failure: "The Advanced Heart Failure nurse practitioners were excellent! -Shannon [Lee], Melissa [Vitasa] , Anja [Strehlow}, Kuanie [Julin]" .

Look up your group or individual patient experience score and national benchmarks on this dashboard

WELLNESS

Announcing APP Wellness Gift - Apply for up to $200 reimbursement

The Office of Advanced Practice Providers and the APP Wellness Committee are excited to support and strengthen APP well-being through the APP Wellness Gift. This opportunity is part of the Jonathan Pascual Well-being Gift, created in honor of Jonathan—a UCSF NP whose dedication to patient care, athletics, and living well, has left a lasting impact on the APP community. Eligible APPs (NP, PA, CNM, CRNA) are encouraged to apply. Selected applicants will receive reimbursement of up to $200. Click here for more details and the application. Learn more about the APP Wellness Committee.

APPs Gather for the Valkyries and at the Blue Light Bar--More Events Forthcoming

The APP Wellness Committee hosted two social events in May. On May 13th, many APPs experienced the Valkyries Ballhalla excitement while also receiving a scrub top with the Valkyries logo. The second event on May 29th was a gathering at the Blue Light Bar for evening of relaxation and great company. Click here for more information for the July 16th dinner and IMAX early premiere of the movie, The Odyssey at the Cinemark Century Daly City. Be on the lookout for outdoor pickleball in August and a hike at Lands End with brunch to follow. Plus-ones and family/friends are welcomed. Contact Wellness Committee Co-Chair Won Kim at won.kim2@ucsf.edu with any questions.