A New Home for Hope: UCSF Wellness Center for Youth with Chronic Conditions Opens Dedicated Clinic

More than just new walls and rooms, the recently opened clinic space for the Wellness Center for Youth with Chronic Conditions at UC San Francisco embodies a deep commitment to supporting young people with long-lasting illnesses in every aspect of life.

This new expansion empowers the Center to broaden its unique services, helping young people reshape their lives and perspectives to truly flourish. Its dedicated team on our Mission Bay campus is ready to partner with patients, families, and providers to help all young people facing a chronic illness reach their version of wellness.

A Co-Created Vision

Emily von Scheven, MD, Medical Director for the Wellness Center, recognized that while the medical system excels at treating acute illness, it often isn't equipped to help these young people navigate the life challenges that arise when dealing with a persistent condition. “We started by listening to our patients, families, and providers who are wrangling with these issues day after day,” said von Scheven, a professor of Pediatrics in UCSF's Division of Pediatric Rheumatology.

These families shared stories of the trauma of having to go to the hospital repeatedly, the isolation of living with a rare disease most people have never even heard of, and their simple desire to live a normal childhood. “They told us that they wanted a place which didn’t just see them as a disease and its associated symptoms, and where they could talk about their whole lives instead of just their medical stuff, as the kids say,” noted von Scheven.

The new clinic is a warm and welcoming space that feels distinctly different from a typical medical environment. It features a community space for educational and playful activities, meeting rooms for visits where kids don't need to change into a hospital gown, and even a gym with exercise equipment and a climbing wall, staffed by a sports therapist, to build confidence and resilience through physical activity.

 

The Wellness Model in Action

A child’s journey with the Wellness Center typically starts with a unique, in-depth conversation focusing on non-medical topics such as what’s going well in their life, what’s difficult, and what they want more of. With over an hour dedicated to this initial personalized wellness goal-setting and planning session, young patients have the time they need to talk through issues and provide relevant context.

“It’s about fostering a specific kind of hope—not necessarily a return to a life before illness, but the hope of moving forward and creating a fulfilling life with their condition,” said von Scheven.

From this conversation emerges a customized plan that guides the child to their goals and connects them to supportive resources and activities. For some, this support may focus on self-care fundamentals; others may want to bring more joy and socialization into their lives. For older patients, it can include coaching that empowers them to confidently tackle new challenges as they move towards independence.

Building Skills and Community

A cornerstone of the Wellness Center’s approach is dynamic programming to foster connections and build skills. There are art sessions like music jams for children aged 8-12 and writing workshops for caregivers. The Integrative Nutrition program explores "food as medicine," offering popular hands-on cooking classes with healthy foods. Parent discussions offer invaluable peer support on topics such as explaining their child’s disease or maintaining their own self-care.

With the new clinic’s dedicated community room, the Center is excited to expand these beloved programs and offer more in-person workshops, classes, and group events, further strengthening this supportive network for patients and their families.

No formal medical referral is needed to participate in the Center’s community events. Learn more and sign up for community events on the Wellness Center Programs page.

Accessing the Wellness Center

The Center serves young people (typically up to age 25) with any medical condition lasting at least one year. There are several ways for patients to be referred for services like the initial wellness conversation, fitness or nutrition consultations, or transition to adult care coaching:

• For patients whose doctors are at UCSF or an affiliated pediatric practice using the EPIC system: Providers can place a referral under "AMB Referral to Wellness Center for Youth with Chronic Conditions." Searching "Wellness " under orders will bring up the referral set.
• For patients whose doctors are outside the UCSF EPIC system: Referring physicians can use their usual procedures, such as MD Link or by faxing a standard referral form.
• Self-Referrals: Patients and families interested in self-referring can call the Center at 415-353-8600 or find more information on the Wellness Consultation page.

Support the UCSF Wellness Center for Youth with Chronic Conditions to join our mission supporting young people with long-lasting illnesses live their fullest lives.