Preceptor Awards

Meghan Scott, FNP, is the school's October 2025 preceptor awardee. Scott works at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City and has been a longstanding preceptor in obstetrics and gynecology.

“Meghan has demonstrated exceptional leadership in clinical teaching by creating a supportive, hands-on learning environment that fosters both confidence and clinical competence in students,” said Julie Poepoe, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, associate professor and family nurse practitioner specialty coordinator. "Her commitment to patient-centered care, clear communication, and real-time feedback exemplifies excellence in guiding future providers toward professional growth and compassionate practice."

“I precept because I love learning from my students," says Scott. "UCSF continuously sends me nurse practitioner students that are well-prepared, ready to learn, and amazing people, too. When you have been in practice a while, things can get very habitual. My students are teaching me more than they know, and I often realize there are better ways to do things or new clinical guidelines I wasn't necessarily aware of. In return, I'm happy to pass on my knowledge  and do as much as I can to get them ready for their careers.”
 
Allie Siegel, RN, current student in the school's BSN Entry to the Doctor of Nursing practice pathway and Scott's preceptee, said, "Meghan was very knowledgeable and excellent at her craft. She created an environment where I was very eager to learn and felt comfortable asking questions. She made me not only more excited to be an NP, but to also precept future FNP students."

Ya-Chen Lee, MS, RN, ACNP-BC, works at Stanford Health Care and is an alumna of the UCSF School of Nursing's Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty. "Ya-Chen Lee is an exceptional acute care nurse practitioner preceptor. Her dedication and clinical expertise make the trauma service at Stanford Health Care an unparalleled learning environment for our students," says Rosalie Bravo, MS, RN, ACNP, professor and specialty coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG ACNP) specialty. "Lee has a calm and reassuring presence in one of the most high-stakes environments. AG ACNP students model compassion and critical thinking under pressure. Lee not only teaches the technical aspects of trauma care but also instills a deep respect for teamwork, resilience, and patient-centered practice."
 
"As an advanced practice provider preceptor, I love seeing the growth and development of every student!" says Lee. "And they keep me on my toes with all their questions!"

Hattie Clark Grundland, MS '03, RN, NP, works in the UCSF Family Health Center at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and has been a preceptor and volunteer faculty member for many years. Grundland is a graduate of the school's master's degree program and was previously a faculty member in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) specialty. 

"Hattie is one of the most beloved preceptors in our program's history," said Miranda Surjadi, MS, RN, ANP-BC, assistant professor and co-coordinator of the AGPCNP specialty. “She embodies the very best of UCSF’s alumni — merging expert clinical care, compassionate mentorship and a deep commitment to health equity. Year after year, she inspires the next generation of clinicians through her presence, wisdom and enduring support for nurse practitioner education.”
 
“During my UCSF graduate program, my clinical preceptors were so fabulous,” Grundland said. “They challenged me and nurtured me and launched me into my career. As a preceptor, I'm so thrilled to provide that for the next generation of nurse practitioners.“
 
Mallory Dawson, current preceptee, shared, “Hattie made learning such a positive experience. She was always approachable and I felt comfortable asking questions and being myself. She gave me space to grow, encouraged my independence and highlighted my strengths. Her passion for primary care was inspiring, and the way in which she can connect with patients and build trusting relationships is something I strive to do in my own practice." 

Rebecca Amirault, MS' 07, WHNP, CNM, is the school's April Preceptor of the Month. A SON alumna, Amirault works at UCSF Birth Center Labor and Delivery. "Rebecca has consistently been willing to work with nurse-midwifery students and students consistently have positive experiences, says Amy Law, PhD, CNM, assistant professor in Family Health Care Nursing and co-specialty coordinator of the nurse-midwifery specialty. "She is an engaging teacher who models compassionate, respective care."

“I had amazing preceptors when I was a student. They helped me find my midwifery voice,” Amirault said. “I hope I can do the same for the next generation of midwives. I love seeing midwifery through the eyes of our newest providers.”
 
Chloe Kersten, current student in the Nurse-Midwifery specialty, said “Becca is great at breaking down ideas and making the information applicable to clinical practice. She models excellent patient-centered communication and is incredibly kind to all people she interacts with." 

Alumna Julia Itsikson, MS '15, RN, AGCNS-BC, is a clinical nurse specialist in Stanford Health Care's cardiovascular medicine services. She is a volunteer faculty member and has precepts SON students for five years. "With [Itsikson], students gain exposure to and practice in all three spheres of clinical nurse specialist practice: direct care of complex patients, nurse and staff support, and systems innovation," says Astrid Block, MS, RN, GCNS-BC, associate professor and coordinator of the adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist specialty. "The quality of the clinical experience she facilitates for these students is unparalleled.”

“My rigorous academic and clinical training, along with the guidance of the exceptional preceptors during my graduate program, shaped me into a dedicated clinician committed to excellence,” said Itsikson. “It was very important for me to be able to become the next generation of the role model I’ve had during my training and to give back to my alma mater.”

"Julia is an exceptional CNS whose deep knowledge and clinical expertise are evident in everything she does," says Matt Baskwell, a former preceptee. "She consistently takes the time to explain complex concepts in a way that is both practical and easy to understand. Julia is patient and approachable. She creates a positive learning environment where questions are welcomed, and growth is prioritized. Her dedication to providing a meaningful, hands-on experience truly sets her apart as a preceptor.”

Shawna Ward, MSN, APRN, CPNP-AC, is a pediatric critical care nurse practitioner at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. “Shawna has consistently demonstrated support for pediatric nurse practitioner acute care (PNP-AC) education and training. She is always willing to provide guest lectures on critical care topics, and she receives exemplary student feedback,” says Brittany Christiansen, PhD, DNP, CPNP-AC, associate professor and PNP-AC specialty coordinator. “Shawna's valuable contributions enhance the education and training for our students.”
 
“I enjoy teaching and supporting the next generation of nurses and nurse practitioners, Ward says. “My hope is that I can have a positive impact on their lives and their careers moving forward.” She adds, “I work hard and I play hard. When I am not at work or home with my husband and dog, I am out on a hiking trail or traveling with my husband. I feel that a good work-life balance is key to avoiding burnout and managing the stress of working with critically ill children.”
 
Preceptee Alice Johnson notes, “Shawna was the first ever NP to work in the Oakland PICU and she quickly demonstrated to the PICU attendings how valuable an NP can be on the team. Shawna demonstrates all the qualities of an NP working at the highest scope of their license. She is truly an inspiration! She also is an incredible teacher - patient and always ready to consider the ideas of others and answer questions.”

Jessica Axelrod, MS, RN, PNP, has been a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital's Children’s Health Center for 18 years and is a longtime preceptor of SON students. “Jessica has contributed significantly to our students' understanding of how to provide evidence-based compassionate pediatric primary care,” says Mary Anne Israel, MS, RN, PNP, assistant professor and specialty coordinator for the pediatric nurse practitioner specialty. “We are grateful our students have the opportunity to learn from Jessica's expertise.”
 
“I love precepting students because it gives me an opportunity to teach and learn,” says Axelrod. “It is also a way for me to pay forward the great experiences I had with my own SON preceptors!”
 
Charlotte Chiarrela Redfern, a current student, stated, “Jessica exemplifies the best qualities of a mentor and practitioner. Even in the midst of a very busy clinic, she patiently guided me through her critical thinking process. Jessica had a remarkable ability to meet me where I was in my learning, offering tailored support while encouraging me to grow in confidence and independence as a provider. I deeply admired her patient-centered approach, particularly in working with foster children and families, the meaningful time she dedicated to each interaction and her unwavering commitment to holistic, evidence-based care.“