July 25, 2011
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People Are a Priority

A Message from the Chancellor

Beyond a doubt, UCSF places a premium on the people who work here.

We recruit great people who come even though the cost of living is high. Then again, people don’t come to UCSF to get wealthy. They come because they want to be here, to work in an intellectually stimulating environment among extraordinarily talented and like-minded colleagues who are dedicated and committed to advancing health.

And because of that, we see a lot of longtime members of the UCSF family. People tend to stay, even when offered jobs elsewhere, and I’m very proud of this fact.

In keeping with my commitment to the people side of the equation, I recently appointed J. Renee Navarro, as UCSF’s first vice chancellor of diversity and outreach. Renee will lead the University’s efforts to create a culture of inclusion and equity for all. Renee is currently developing a strategic plan that enhances our current efforts at nurturing diversity and strengthening our outreach.

In a diverse environment, people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and orientations can feel valued and respected. Working freely in a safe and inclusive atmosphere, people can learn, teach and be fearless in their contributions and initiatives.

Diversity is important from a strategic perspective as well. Our campus is serving an increasingly diverse population. There is a critical need to train health care professionals whose backgrounds give them clear insight into the cultural and social needs of the people and patients they treat.

Ultimately, it is this rich diversity of people and perspectives in the San Francisco Bay Area that fuels creativity and vibrancy at the University.

 

None of the other four priorities I’ve embraced – patient care, education, discovery, and business – can amount to much unless we continue to foster an environment in which we can recruit and retain the very best people, from Nobel Prize-winning scientists to the person answering calls for appointments at the medical center.

Just as every employee in every department makes an individual contribution to our overall enterprise, each employee must be guaranteed an effective, experienced manager ready and able to help that employee meet and exceed goals.

To that end, we’re continually exploring ways to expand the scope and reach of our management training programs, to cultivate strong and capable managers who understand the art of leading people as well as the science of health and medicine – managers who measure their own success largely by the accomplishments and achievements of those they lead.

That same spirit is reflected in UCSF’s professional mentoring programs. We’re placing unprecedented emphasis on the value of good mentorship. UCSF clinicians and researchers today are “paying it forward” – offering guidance and inspiration to the next generation of health care leaders.

We’re firmly focused on providing a welcoming environment and world-class resources for our faculty and staff. In turn, employees will have their own benchmark: They will understand the vital part they play in fulfilling the UCSF mission and feel confident that when they succeed, so too does UCSF.

Photo by Cindy Chew