APP SPOTLIGHT

Sheila Lindsay Honored with APPOS MVP Award

Submitted by Gabriel Schwartz, APP Manager, Cancer Services

Congratulations to Sheila Lindsay, NP for receiving the Advanced Practice Provider Oncology Summit (APPOS) Bay Area MVP Award, which recognizes oncology APPs who lead as role models and mentors and who advocate tirelessly for their patients. With over 25 years at UCSF, including the past nine in GI Medical Oncology, Sheila has become a national voice in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) care, founded the UCSF APP-led NET clinic, and precepted and taught more NP students than we can count. Congratulations, Sheila, and thank you for your compassionate presence, leadership, tireless work and mentorship throughout the years!

In Their Own Words

Submitted by Tara Valcarcel, Director of Operations, Cross Bay

Congratulations to the BCH Pediatric Neurosurgery APP Team--Alexandria Amour, PA-C, Kristen Ghoussaini, CPNP-PC, Jay Hunter, CPNP-AC, Rebecca Silvers, DNP, CPNP-AC--

for this patient recognition.

"This review is for Dr. Sun and his entire team at Children's. My son arrived in the emergency room unconscious after a serious car accident. Dr. Sun and his team operated right away and worked a miracle. Our son is not only alive but has retained all of his mental and physical faculties. We have expressed our deep gratitude to Dr. Sun, but in his humble fashion he reminded us that this was a team effort. So we would like to communicate our most profound thanks to everyone in the OR that day and everyone who followed up with us later in the hospital. In particular, we thank Dr. Mahmoud Elguindy for his attentiveness and warmth that brought us happiness in dark times, NP Kristen Ghoussaini for her skill and care (and regular checking of the mail for our helmet!) that kept the recovery process moving smoothly, and PA Alex [Amour] for her regular visits, professionalism and kindness. I know there are members of the team we were not able to meet - please accept our most profound thanks as well. You saved more than one life that day."

The ED APP Fellowship: Built for Emergency Medicine

Submitted by Cana Jenkins, APP Manager, Emergency Services

As we prepare to welcome our fourth ED APP Fellowship cohort this November, we’re recognizing the APPs who built this program and continue to move it forward.

Thomas Dodsworth, MSN, NP III, and Ryan Wilson, MSPAS, MPH, PA-C, co-founded the ED APP Fellowship and have served as Specialty Coordinators since our first cohort. Together, they took an idea and built it into a successful program, doing the teaching, precepting, problem-solving, and behind-the-scenes work required to train APPs for the pace and complexity of emergency medicine.

In November 2026, Thomas will transition out of his Specialty Coordinator role, and Aaron Pachner, PA-C, will step in alongside Ryan, who will continue his leadership with the program. Aaron is a seasoned senior PA, an exceptional clinician and educator, and a tremendous asset to our ED team. He brings years of experience and exactly the kind of real-world ED knowledge that makes this fellowship work.

We’re grateful to Thomas for helping build the program, to Ryan for continuing to lead it, and to Aaron for taking the baton for cohort four. Thank you!

Compassionate Care Recognized

Submitted by Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, DNP, MPH, NP, RN, NEA-BC,CPNP-PC

Congratulations to Mardochee Val, MSN, CRNA, Nurse Anesthetist Supervisor at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, whose compassionate and patient-centered care was recently recognized during a UCSF system-wide meeting.

Mardochee was acknowledged for the kindness and care she provided to a patient during their stay. The recognition prompted an outpouring of appreciation from colleagues and leaders who know the warmth, partnership, and commitment she brings to her work every day. Thank you, Mardochee, for the difference you make for our patients, families, and teams.

Nominated for Team PRIDE Award for Excellence

Submitted by Meg Schoettler, APP Manager, Children's Ambulatory Services

Congratulations to Team Leader Jessica Brennan, NP, and the entire Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Kidney for being nominated for Team PRIDE Award for Excellence for their project titled "Kidney Anniversary Celebration in the Clinic Setting" captured in the photo. This meaningful work brings the UCSF Patient Experience Pillar to life by celebrating important milestones with patients and families.

UCSF APPs Lead & Inspire at Stanford

Submitted by Regina Gould, APP Supervisor, OHNS

Kudos to Roseanne Krauter, NP; Kali Kaziol, PA; and Regina Gould, PA (in the photo) who were invited to speake at Stanford's APP ENT Insights Course on August 8, 2026. The UCSF team shared expertise on vestibular migraine, AI in otolaryngology, and tracheostomy management—fostering collaboration and advancing APP practice in otolaryngology across institutions.

Golden Gate to Global Impact: UCSF APP Conference

Join us for a FREE, all-day virtual conference celebrating innovation, collaboration, and excellence in advanced practice!

Friday, October 16, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Fully virtual via Zoom

Up to 6 CEUs/CMEs — FREE!

Hosted by the UCSF APP Education Committee and Office of Advanced Practice Providers, Golden Gate to Global Impact brings together APPs for a day of learning focused on clinical knowledge, current research, education, and interprofessional development—all through the lens of the APP. Click here for the flyer and more information about the topics. Register now using the QR code (in the photo).

APP Grand Rounds TODAY

Join your UCSF APP community on Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Clot Thickens: A Practical Review of Anticoagulants

Presenter: Dexter Wimmer, PharmD

12:00-1:00 p.m.

Click here for the Zoom link

You can view prior Grand Rounds recordings here.

APP Town Hall

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 12:10-1 p.m.

Topic: Updates from your APP Advisory Board and Committees

Facilitated by co-chairs: Rubi Alva de Hickson and Susan Diaz

Zoom link Meeting ID: 978 6346 7107. Password: 901896

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

Pediatric Grand Rounds (East Bay)

For zoom login information contact Cristina Fernandez crfernandez@ucsf.edu, 510-428-3885 ext 4343. More information here.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 8:00 a.m.

"From Awareness to Action: Cultivating Equity-Minded Practice Across Pediatric Training"

Presented by Sabrina Karim, MD

4th Annual UCSF Heart Failure Symposium: Hearts in Sonoma

Submitted by Nimaljeet Tarango, Director of Advanced Heart Failure

Join the UCSF Advanced Heart Failure Comprehensive Care Center for Hearts in Sonoma: UCSF Update on Heart Failure Therapies 2026, a hybrid symposium featuring the latest advances in heart failure management, transplant, mechanical circulatory support, cardiogenic shock, emerging therapies, and multidisciplinary care.

September 25–26, 2026. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa and livestream

APPs and RNs attending in person can use discount code UCHF150A.

Register here. This symposium is officially endorsed by the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA). Up to 10.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

ACT Conference on September 19, 2026 (Oakland)

Submitted by Kayla Vaughn, MSN, CPNP-AC

This one-day, CME-eligible conference brings pediatric providers together to strengthen their advocacy skills through inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Registration is $100 for AAP-CA1 members, $150 for non-members, and $35 for trainees. Learn more and watch highlights from the 2019 conference. Conference location: Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, 3600 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611. Click here to register.

Sharing Expertise, Strengthening Teams

Submitted by Meg Schoettler, APP Manager, Children's Ambulatory Services

Kudos to Katie Peters, NP, in Pediatric Cardiology, who recently shared her expertise with Pediatric Cardiology fellows across the bay through an educational lecture on the Pediatric Exercise Stress Test Lab. The session provided fellows with valuable insights into pediatric exercise stress testing and supported cross-bay learning and collaboration within the Pediatric Cardiology team.

Kudos to Lisa Gallagher, PNP, who recently shared her expertise with the cross-bay Pediatric GI team through an educational presentation on “Introduction to Liver Transplant and Work-Up.” The session engaged the full multidisciplinary team—including attendings, fellows, residents, APPs, RNs, and RDs—and supported learning and collaboration across the Pediatric GI community.

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.

For more APeX updates

Inpatient Provider APEX Updates September 2026

Did your patient fall?

There is a Provider Post-Fall Evaluation Note Template

Ambulatory APEX Updates September 2026

• Updates to Generative AI Summary Tool: Outpatient Insights
• Check your ambulatory voalte number--check the phone number associated with your account to make sure it's accurate. Depending on the set up, this may be your assigned CareWeb phone number, your cell phone or no number at all. NOTE: UCSF sign-in is required, so each user must check their own information, including administrators.

Renew your BLS/ACLS and DEA

All BLS, ACLS, and PALS renewals will only be administered through UCSF Nursing Connect. Safety Training Seminars (STS) 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 (complete online learning) and then hands-on demonstration locations (no appointment needed). You must submit a photo or PDF of your updated certificate to the appropriate Office of Medical Affairs and Governance expirables@ucsf.edu or medical.staff-oakland@ucsf.edu.

CPR skills validation at any of the 8 UCSF locations - no appointment needed

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.

The Future is Taking Shape at UCSF

Curious to know the progress on the Parnassus Campus--UCSF Barbara and Gerson Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB)? Watch the 2-minute video for a tour given by UCSF Campus Architect Alicia Murasaki.

Pediatric-to-Adult Transition Group Medical Visits

Submitted by Sydney Gressel, NP

The Wellness Center for Youth with Chronic Conditions is now offering a four-session Pediatric-to-Adult Transition Group Medical Visit (GMV) series for older teens and young adults who would benefit from structured support in building transition readiness skills.

The series combines group-based education, discussion, and individualized transition consultation related to each participant’s medical condition. Topics include:

• Transition and transfer awareness and education

• Shared decision-making and TRAQ skill-building, including: medication refills, appointment tracking, health management, and communicating with providers

• Independence and self-advocacy across work, school, and community settings

• Creating a transfer plan and advocacy strategies

The next series are planned for January 2027 and April 2027.

To refer your patients, search “wellness” in Epic and select the referral to Group Wellness classes. For questions, contact evonsche@ucsf.edu or sydney.gressel@ucsf.edu.

The Bridge-UCSF Health's New Digital Home

Personalize your Bridge to see what is trending, access resources, and read feature content. More than just an intranet, it brings together information from across UCSF hospitals, clinics, and teams in one place. Follow topics and information relevant to you and your work. Email intranetsupport@ucsf.edu with any questions to activate your account. You'll be prompted to use Duo when signing in. Join the Bridge Community with this link.

New Job Postings

Searching for an APP job? Go to the HR website, use the search function, and enter keywords. Click here for a listing for pediatric positions.

APP Advisory Board Committee Updates-August 2026

Submitted by Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, DNP, MPH, NP, RN, NEA-BC, CPNP-PC

The focus of the August Board committee meeting was on engagement and upcoming APP Week activities:

• Education Committee: Co-Chair Shawna Ward presented an update on the October 16 APP Education Conference, including confirmed speakers, approved continuing education credit, and adult and pediatric tracks.
• The Board reviewed opportunities for APP participation and leadership across its committees. Committee representatives will highlight their work at the September 16 APP Town Hall.
• The Board also discussed APP Week, including the Exceptional APP Awards and the inaugural Exceptional APP Team Award, an initiative advanced by the Advisory Board.

New APeX Lockout Process for Overdue Clinical Work

Beginning September 22, 2026, UCSF Health will implement an automated APeX account lockout process for clinicians with overdue clinical work, including open encounters and unreviewed results. This process will replace the manual suspension process previously used for physicians and APPs in most ambulatory areas.

Clinicians at risk of meeting lockout criteria began receiving automated reminder emails on July 27 with information about outstanding work and steps to resolve it. APPs are encouraged to monitor these reminders and complete outstanding clinical work promptly to avoid account lockout.

APeX lockout criteria

Clinicians will be subject to lockout if they have:

• One or more open ambulatory encounters older than 14 days, or
• Fifty (50) or more unreviewed results older than 14 days

For results to be considered complete, they must be marked as Done or postponed.



For best practices on indicating in your In Basket that you are out of office, click here

Send any additional ideas for improving results management to Katie.Grouse@ucsf.edu.

Receive Notifications of Unaddressed Clinical Documentation (CDI) Queries

Follow these three steps to set up your APEX In Basket for daily email reminders

Step 1: Open APEX In Basket. Select "Preferences" (may be listed under "More")

Step 2: Select "Reminder Emails"

Step 3: "QI Documentation" is the CDI folder (set reminder to 1 day)

Where Volunteer Faculty Connect

We look forward to having you all at the upcoming Volunteer Faculty Network (VFN) Engagement Event

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 10:10 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.

The virtual event will include a Welcome and School of Nursing (SON) update from Dean Dawson-Rose, SON department updates, a presentation from the Office of Opportunity and Engagement, and a Continuing Education (CE) session presented by Christine Mayor on Asthma Management with AIR and SMART.

Please be sure to RSVP by September 22, 2026. We look forward to seeing and connecting with you all! 

Peace of Mind, When Life Happens: Emergency Ride Home

Worried about getting home when an unexpected emergency disrupts your commute? Learn about UCSF's Emergency Ride Home program and other Bay Area programs that may offer an added safety net. We'll cover how these programs work, when you can use them, and resources to help you commute with greater peace of mind. Click here to register for the webinar on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 12 noon.

Join Us for Upcoming APP Wellness Social Events

These gatherings are a great way to connect with colleagues, have fun, and build community outside of work (photo taken during the August wellness pickleball event). Upcoming events:

September 26th - Hike led by APPs Marissa and Nadine - Location: Lands End, 8am, more details forthcoming

October - Happy Hour/Trivia Night - (date coming soon)

Be sure to check the APP Wellness webpage for event details, updates and registration information.

Olympic Champion Alysa Liu Brightens Young Patients' Day

Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu brought smiles and inspiration to UCSF, visiting pediatric patients across several inpatient units and stopping by to greet OR staff. She also recorded special bedtime stories for patients to enjoy through the hospital’s closed-circuit TV channel—a heartwarming reminder of the power of connection, joy, and community in supporting well-being.

Campus Life Services Offers Many Discounts

Golden State Valkyries Season UCSF discounted tickets

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

(log in to MyAccess)

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

Celebrating National APP Week Across the University of California

UCSF Health is joining our fellow UC academic medical centers to celebrate National APP Week, September 21–25, 2026. Together, we’ll recognize the important contributions of APPs across the UC system and celebrate the impact you make every day in patient care, education, research, and leadership.



Stay tuned for more details about UCSF APP Week events and activities in a Special Edition APP newsletter. Coming soon.

UC Davis will be celebrating on Tuesday September 22, 2026, 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Advanced Practice Excellence in Action: UC Davis Medical Center, Main Hospital North Addition Office Building, Room 1001, in person. Click here for tickets.

Office Hours: Office of Advanced Practice Providers

Every 2^nd Wednesday from 12noon-1pm and every 4^th Thursday 4pm-5pm

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 12 noon-1 p.m. Zoom link

Host: Roseanne Krauter, Director Informatics and Clinical Systems

Thursday, September 24, 2026 4-5 p.m. Zoom link

Host: Brandon Sessler, Director of Professional Practice

Upcoming Deadline to Submit Application for NP III

Don't forget that applications are accepted for NP III (initial) twice per year. The upcoming deadline is September 30, 2026, 5PM. Late applications will not be considered.

Click here for more information and here to request a mentor for the application process.

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

Alisa Yee, MSN, ACNP-BC

Director, Adult Operations Advanced Practice Providers

Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, DNP, MPH, NP, RN, NEA-BC, CPNP-PC

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