About the UCSF Pediatric Residency Program | San Francisco
Welcome from the Director of Residency, Dr. Duncan Henry
Welcome to UCSF Pediatrics
We appreciate your interest in UCSF and look forward to meeting you on your applicant day!
I am honored and thrilled to serve as Program Director for our residency training program at UCSF. I started my journey here as a medical student, inspired by the pediatric residents and attendings I met as a third year at San Francisco General and on my 4th year rotations on the Wards and with the Infectious Disease service. Despite a move across country to train at Boston for my residency and chief residency, I held UCSF in my heart as the place I would return to, both for my fellowship in Critical Care as well as the opportunities to grow and develop as a medical educator. As I was welcomed back into the inspiring community of UCSF, I found people across the institution invested in me as a physician and an educator. I know you will experience the same commitment to growth and support in pursuing your passion if you choose to come here. I've had the privilege of working with countless inspiring colleagues, learners, and patients as an attending in our PICU and step-down unit, in leadership positions in medical education and clinical programs, and in the development of programs for medically complex children. The vast breadth and depth of expertise across this world-class institution is breathtaking and energizing; working with people who are pursuing their passions is a truly special part of being here.
At UCSF, we value community, diversity, innovation, and individuality, and we are committed to supporting you throughout your education as you learn and explore—through clinical experience, advocacy, research, and more.
Thank you for interviewing at UCSF!
Essential Features
- Large academic training program with 84 residents, including 29 interns, which includes two integrated programs within our larger residency (PLUS - focusing on community partnerships, advocacy, health equity, and leadership; Molecular Medicine - focusing on the development of physician-scientists) as well as two combined programs (Child Neurology and Pediatric-Genetics)
- Nationally prominent department with a superb academic profile and a long track record of training leaders in pediatric medicine
- Integral part of the UCSF School of Medicine, which is ranked among the top 5 medical schools in the country in both research and primary care (the only school to be ranked in the top 5 in both categories) and ranked second in the US in total National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding
- Proven track record of commitment and innovation in the education of residents, fellows, and medical students
- Multisite training facilities consist of two distinct hospitals and primary care clinics; each representing a unique healthcare delivery system, patient population, and educational opportunities
- Two inpatient settings include a tertiary/quaternary care children's hospital — UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital and a public/county hospital and trauma center — Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
- Two continuity clinic sites: UCSF/Mount Zion in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
- All rotations are day/night shifts back-up call system for illness and emergencies
- Strong advising and mentoring programs.
- Opportunity to participate as desired in a specialized pathway (e.g., global health, clinical translational science) to enhance one’s professional development
- Substantial, structured support for residents to promote community and connection, including an Annual Residency Retreat, Resident Families with Faculty Sponsors, a resident-created House system, group mentoring, resident-faculty competitions and gatherings, and more
- Active committees include Resident-led physicians for Inclusion, Social justice, and Equity (RISE) Coalition, Program Improvement Group, Wellness Committee, and Social Committee
Meet Our Leadership Team
Associate Program Director for Mentorship and Learner Support
I'm Corina (she/her), the Associate Program Director for Mentorship and Learner Support. I work as a hospitalist and also on the pain medicine consult service. I came to UCSF initially for residency and stayed for the people and community here. It is such a joy to work with thoughtful, multi-talented residents who embody a commitment to health equity and who are such brilliant teachers and colleagues, and it's a privilege to work on programs to support folks during and beyond residency.
Associate Program Director for Recruitment and Outreach
Hi! I'm Rohini Jain (she/her), the Associate Program Director for Recruitment and Outreach. I came to UCSF in 2021 for a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship and currently practice as one of our Pediatric Oncologists. In my role as APD, I get the pleasure of working with all of our lovely residents and faculty to recruit each new class of amazing interns. Working within the UCSF community brings me great joy, and I am so privileged to be a small part of our residents' journeys.
Associate Program Director for Advising and Assessment
I’m Meredith Laguna (she/her), the Associate Program Director for Advising and Assessment. I came to UCSF in 2014 as an intern and have stayed because of the amazing residents and colleagues I get to work with every day. I lead a team of advisors who help residents explore their career and clinical interests and ensure they’re set up for success. One of my greatest joys is watching residents grow from their very first days into confident, compassionate physicians.
Associate Program Director for Curriculum and Scholarship
Hi! I’m Ellen Laves, a general pediatrician at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and an Associate Program Director responsible for our residency curriculum. Since joining UCSF as an intern in 2009, I’ve loved helping shape our program by developing academic half-day workshops, expanding cross-site conferences, and launching an x+y scheduling framework. I’m passionate about creating meaningful learning opportunities that support residents every day.
GME Director of Community, Belonging, and Retention
Hi! I’m James, and I practice as a neonatologist at Benioff Children’s Hospital SF. Born and raised in the SF Bay Area, I joined UCSF in 2014 as a faculty member. In collaboration with others, I help design and implement community-building activities for residents and fellows and serve as the faculty liaison for RISE (Resident-led Physicians for Inclusion, Social Justice, and Equity).
GME Director of Wellbeing
Hi! I'm Liz Seashore, a pediatric oncologist and palliative care physician at BCH Oakland and SF. In my role as GME Wellbeing Director, I am honored to lead programming focused on fostering a culture of wellbeing and empowering the incredible resilience of our residents and fellows. I am passionate about helping residents cope with and make meaning out of the hard things in pediatrics, so they can do this important work with joy and purpose throughout their training and careers.
Director of Pediatric Molecular Medicine Pathways
I'm Cristina, and I'm the new Director of the Pediatric Molecular Medicine Pathway. I was recently recruited to UCSF after spending the last 20 years at Stanford. I was so excited to join UCSF as a physician-scientist, given the extraordinary collaborative community for scientists here and the institutional investment in supporting physician-scientist development through programs like Molecular Medicine.
Director of PLUS Program
I'm Raul, the Director of the PLUS Program. I work closely with PLUS residents and also serve as a preceptor in the continuity clinic and urgent care at ZSFG. I returned to UCSF after nearly 10 years working at federally qualified health centers in Oakland to focus on immigrant health and teaching. I'm passionate about supporting our talented and caring residents and helping them grow as physicians.
Meet Our Residency Team
Thuy Nguyen
Program Manager
I’m Thuy, the Program Manager, and I support the daily programmatic needs of our trainees, assisting with everything from recruitment through graduation. I’m proud to be part of such an amazing and inspiring community at UCSF, and I love working with our passionate residents and supporting them throughout their training.
Rex Dacanay
Education Administrator
I’m Rex, an Education Analyst providing administrative support to the residency program, specifically reimbursements and logistics for the resident lectures and study sessions. I’ve been with the program a long time, and it’s a privilege to support our residents throughout their training and see them blossom into successful physicians.
Cherise Masunaga
Education Administrator
I’m Cherise, a Program Educator supporting the residency program with administrative work and helping our residents throughout their training. I’m grateful to be part of the UCSF community and especially enjoy watching our diverse group of residents grow and progress each year.
Jade Barwig, MPH
Education Administrator
I’m Jade, an Education Administrator supporting the pediatrics residency program. I coordinate onboarding, offboarding, reappointments, recruitment, licensing, and rotations at other hospitals. I also provide administrative support for the PLUS Program. I truly enjoy working with our residents and being part of such a unique and exciting chapter in their careers!