APP SPOTLIGHT

Greetings APPs,

As the holiday season approaches, we would like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each of you. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering compassion have made a profound impact this year—not only on our organization, but most importantly on the patients and families we serve. The care and support you provide every day truly change lives, and we are incredibly thankful for everything you do. This season is a time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with loved ones, and we encourage you to take care of yourselves just as diligently as you care for others. Whether you are spending time with family, enjoying a quiet moment for yourself, or celebrating in your own way, you deserve every bit of rest and joy.

Thank you for your incredible contributions and commitment. We are deeply grateful for you—you are the heart of everything we do, bringing positive change to the world, one patient at a time.

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,

Ivette, Alisa, Brandon, Rosie, Tara, Kurstan, and Christian

The Office of Advanced Practice Providers

Graduates of the LeAP Leadership Institute Program 2025

We are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding APPs who participated in the 2025 LeAP leadership training program! This transformative program was designed exclusively for APPs and included robust pre-work, nine monthly four-hour leadership learning sessions, two personalized executive coaching sessions, an immersive leader shadowing experience, and the development of an evidence-based practice project proposal. Congratulations to the graduates of this year’s program for their dedication, growth, and commitment to leadership excellence! Click here to explore their project proposal titles. Click here to learn more about Leadership Institute and other programs they offer throughout the year.

Lisa Catalli Traveled to Washington, DC in November

Lisa Catalli presented "Promoting Self-Management of Steatotic Liver Diseases through Behavioral Health Integration" at the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease conference in Washington, DC on November 9, 2025, Hepatology Associates Course: Hepatology Associates as Leaders in Multidisciplinary Care. This presentation included information on our UCSF BRIDGE group telehealth program, an APP-led integrative care model designed to empower patients with knowledge networks to improve self-care.

Alex Geraldi, PA Advocates For His Patients and His Role

Submitted by Hani Gutierrez, APP Manager

Alex is a respected leader and trusted voice within the Orthopedic surgical teams. He consistently sets the bar for clinical excellence and collaborative leadership. His depth of expertise, compassion for patients, and commitment to advancing the role of Physician Assistants make him an indispensable member of our pediatric surgical family. Through every complex case and every teaching moment, Alex leads with humility, integrity, and purpose — ensuring that both patients and colleagues alike benefit from his skill and vision. Please join us in celebrating Alex for his outstanding contributions, leadership, and lasting impact on the care we provide to our children and families.

The First APP Lead for Oakland's Pediatric General Surgery and Trauma Program

Submitted by Hani Gutierrez, APP Manager

With well over a decade at Children’s Hospital, Susi Valenti, PA has been a pillar of clinical expertise, a trusted colleague, and a tireless advocate for her patients and peers alike. Her ability to solve problems on the spot, elevate team dynamics, and push for equity and fairness within our APP community sets a gold standard for what it means to lead with purpose and heart. Please join us in celebrating Susi for stellar patient care, her trailblazing leadership, and her unwavering commitment to our mission and our patients.

Inpatient Advanced Heart Failure Team Names

Anja Strehlow as Lead APP

Submitted by Nimi Tarango, Director of AHF

Anja Strehlow has been named Lead APP for the inpatient Advanced Heart Failure (AHF) Team. Anja has over 27 years of clinical experience as a PA with the last 23 years being at UCSF in positions in Orthopedic Surgery, CT Surgery, and most recently on the Mechanical Circulatory Support Team.

Anja has helped launch the new AHF APP inpatient team, which is a new team of three NPs, supporting advanced heart failure patients, partnering with the AHF Attending MDs to manage a very complicated population of hospitalized patients. Anja has been invaluable in onboarding a team of new NPs by offering a structured, well supported orientation; facilitating relevant-content lectures from UCSF experts to further facilitate APP learnings; assisting with APP schedules; and much more. Her experience, organization, interest in APP education, and passion for excellence in patient care, has been a welcome addition to this new team.

Cross-department Innovation: ED APPs and Department Opthalmology

Submitted by Cana Jenkins, interim manager ED APP

On November 10, the ED APP team and Opthalmology launched REFLECT, a tele-ophthalmology initiative funded by the International Ophthalmological Fellowship Foundation. The grant enabled the purchase of a non-mydriatic fundus camera for high-quality retinal imaging without dilation, streamlining triage by APPs in the ED. ED APPs are the first group outside Ophthalmology to use this model, aiming for faster decisions, shorter patient wait times, and improved care for acute eye complaints in the ED. This collaboration exemplifies how cross-department innovation can meaningfully enhance patient-centered care.

APP Grand Rounds

Wednesday December 16, 12noon

Topic: Anticoagulation: A Review for Bedside Clinicians

Presenter: Dexter Wimmer, PharmD

Zoom link

APP Town Hall

Save the date Monday January 21, 2026 1210-1pm. Topic TBD

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

• Pharmacy Update, Standardized Procedure, EBP Fellowship
• Inpatient Documentation
• Optimizing wRVU (outpatient focused)
• Patient care optimization

Pediatric Grand Rounds (East Bay)



Every Tuesday 8-9AM

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

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

“Strategies to Reinvigorate the Bedside Clinical Encounter" Presented by Brian T. Garibaldi, MD, MEHP, FACP, FRCP(E)* Director, Center for Bedside Medicine Charles Horace Mayo Professor  

Multidisciplinary Journal Club--January 13th

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4-5pm, zoom link

Location: Parnassus M919 Conference Room

Topic: Evidence behind peri-procedural nutrition practices in critically ill patients--FEEDS Trial RCT at Parnassus ICU

Facilitators: ICU Nutritionist, Critical Care NP, Critical Care Medicine Fellow

Wednesday December 10, 2025 12-1PM

The UCSF School of Nursing presents the Home-Based Learning Collaborative (HBCLC) ECHO, a monthly Zoom-based initiative to support clinicians caring for home-limited adults. It offers evidence-based guidance, a space to share best practices, and community building for those working in home-based settings. Each session begins with a 15-minute didactic on topics like geriatric syndromes, loneliness, self-neglect. The remaining time focuses on case discussions (excluding PHI). Sessions occur on the second Wednesday of each month. Participants receive a Zoom link via email by reaching out to homebasedcareECHO@ucsf.edu.

Documenting is the Foundation of Quality Care--Best Practices 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 slidedeck. To view APP Town Hall presentation by Office of Compliance and Privacy and Office of Advanced Practice Provider about inpatient documentation, click here.

New Features in APEX: AI-Generated summaries of a hospitalization and recent events and also AI text assistant

For inpatient APPs, use this feature for currently admitted patients using a tool called "Inpatient Insights" in APEX. This new tool is part of a pilot program at UCSF.

Watch this training video (my access login) and view this tip sheet. There is also AI text assistant features that refine formatting, adjust tone and summarize text. Click for tip sheet.

Most importantly, sign up for AI scribe for inpatient setting here (login MyAccess)

We appreciate your feedback on this "inpatient insights" tool – it's essential to help us monitor the accuracy and reliability of the summaries generated. Please keep an eye out for a quick survey in the upcoming months so we can hear how well this tool works for you!

Are You Wondering What Has Changed In APeX Recently?

Inpatient Provider APeX Updates December 2025

• AI generated summary of a patient's hospitalization and recent events 
• AI text assist to reformat, summarize and rephrase

Ambulatory APeX Updates December 2025

• AI text assist to reformat, summarize and rephrase
• New Mifepristone E-Consent now available

Renew your DEA

Reminder: 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.

Changes with Ordering Urine Cultures

Submitted by CAUTI Provider Champions Group

On December 16, 205, there will be new way to order urine cultures across UCSF Health adult and pediatric (West Bay) inpatients. All urinalysis/urine culture orders will go through a new order panel, which will ask ordering clinicians to select an indication for ordering a UA/urine culture and will prompt consideration of exchange or removal of a Foley catheter, if present. The change is designed with diagnostic stewardship best practices in mind, and to facilitate on-the-fly decision-making for ordering clinicians. Click here for more information.

Update on Federal Immigration Enforcement

Read more from Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS about how UCSF will respond to potential immigration enforcement activities at UCSF and UCSF Health.

Celebrating the Retirement of Maddy Pearson

We are writing to share that Maddy Pearson, UCSF Health’s Chief Nursing Executive, is retiring this month after an exceptional 42-year career in nursing and health care leadership. Read more.

Announcing UCSF Expanded Pharmacy Care Services 

UCSF now has expanded pharmacy services at Parnassus, Mission Bay (Bayfront), and Stanyan Hospital and our Specialty Pharmacy. They are more than a dispensing pharmacy. They provide comprehensive, integrated care. The system is integrated with Apex, providing providers with real-time visibility into your patients' prescription status. Plus, you can easily reach our clinical teams via MyChart, Voalte, or Teams for immediate support. 

Explore their enhanced clinical programs and encourage patients to get their meds filled with UCSF Pharmacy. Read more here and see their flyer.

Remembering Alberto Rangel, LMFT

It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we share the devastating news that our colleague, Alberto Rangel, LMFT, passed away from the injuries he sustained in the tragic attack at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) on Dec. 4, 2025. His loss is felt profoundly across our entire community. Alberto was a cherished member of the UCSF and ZSFG teams – a warm, dedicated, and deeply compassionate behavioral health clinician who devoted his career to supporting patients during their most vulnerable moments. Read more.

2026 Certificate in Global Nursing Program Open For Registration

UCSF’s Center for Global Nursing (CGN) is excited to announce the dates for the next cohort in the Certificate in Global Nursing Program: January 13th - March 31st, 2026, Tuesdays 7am - 9am PST. This 12-week virtual program held virtually is designed for nurses and advanced practice providers interested in strengthening their understanding of global health, leadership, and health systems. Through expert-led sessions, case-based learning, and a global faculty network, participants explore key topics such as cultural humility, foundations in global health, planetary health, and sustainable equitable partnerships.

Enrollment is open through December 31, 2025. Tiered pricing for UCSF faculty, staff , and students and those working in LMICs. Learn more and register or email globalnursing@ucsf.edu.

Leadership Institute Offers Multiple Programs

Looking for leadership development? The Leadership Institute provides intentional and outcome-driven leadership development programming for APPs. Wherever you are on your leadership journey, there is a program to take you to the next level. Click here to learn more (multiple start dates).

15 Job Postings (December)

Click here for the most up-to-date list of APP job postings

Relationship Centered Communication Training for all APPs

Complimentary training for all ambulatory and inpatient APPs. Required training for all new APP hires, must complete within 2 years of hire. Understand the importance and value of effective communication, build rapport and relationships with others. Recognize another's perspectives and concerns. Listen reflectively and respond with empathy. Upcoming date Monday December 15, 2025 (zoom). For more dates and info..

Press Ganey Comments about NPs, PAs, CRNAs, Midwives

Head and Neck Med Onc: NP Christine Kim never fails to provide comfort and care to every upcoming procedure.

Head and Neck Med Onc: Brittany Dingler is laser-focused on patient care. Her demeanor is very cordial. Her sense of humor is infectious...in a good way. She listens intently, asks probing questions, taking action, immediately and decisively.

Womens Health Primary Care: Patty Turok has taken excellent care of me for many years now. I've always appreciated her great compassion, her willingness to listen. I have complete confidence in her advice. I feel I am truly am a healthier person due to her knowledge and thoroughness.

Neurosurgery Crani: Tracy Ward is an exceptional nurse practitioner-professional and very caring.

Look up your own patient experience comments on this dashboard

Campus Life Services Offers Many Discounts

Safeway stores are offering a 5% discount on each transaction to UCSF employees and students. Click here for more Safeway details.

Shopping Discounts: click here Activities, Sports , Event Ticket Discounts: click here

Free Tickets to Cobb's Comedy Club and The Punch Line

Click here to see the November dates and shows titles for free comedy tickets for Cobb's Comedy Club and The Punch Line SF

Staff Appreciation Breakfast Locations, Dates, Times

• BCH Oakland - Friendly Café: Friday, Dec. 12, 6:30-9:30 a.m.
• Mission Bay Hospitals - William and Susan Oberndorf Auditorium: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 6:30-10:30 a.m.
• Parnassus Heights - Moffitt Café: Thursday, Dec. 18, 6:30-10:30 a.m.
• UCSF Health Stanyan Hospital - Doctor's Dining Room: Friday, Dec. 19, 7-9:30 a.m.

Casual Carpooling

Casual Carpooling system first began in the 1970s and quickly became a Bay Area tradition. After a pause during the pandemic, casual carpooling has returned in areas such as Oakland, Berkeley, and Lafayette, where demand has grown. Read more about pick up locations and learn how the program works.

The Office of Advanced Practice Providers is here to support you

Email us at advancedpractice@ucsf.edu

Archived APP newsletters

Visit the UCSF APP website

Submit content to this newsletter anytime with this link

Christian Sendaydiego Administrative Assistant

Kurstan Del Rosario Senior Operations Analyst

Tara Valcarcel, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, NEA Director, Pediatric Operations Advanced Practice Providers 

Roseanne "Rosie" Krauter, DNP, NP, NEA-BC, NI-BC, FNP-BC Director of Informatics & Clinical Systems

Brandon Sessler MMS,PA-C

Director of Professional Practice & Fellowship Program Director

Alisa Yee, MSN, ACNP-BC

Director, Adult Operations Advanced Practice Providers

Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, DNP, MPH, NP, RN, NEA-BC, C-PNP

Chief of Advanced Practice Providers

Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs, UCSF School of Nursing (SON)

Assistant Clinical Professor, UCSF SON Department of Family Health Care Nursing