Linda Franck, Yoshimi Fukuoka, Mike Tigman, Ifeyinwa Asiodu, Janelli Vallin

Leadership in Action: Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Student Milestones

Nursing Leaders
March 20, 2024
By School of Nursing Communications

Faculty, staff, students and alumni of the UCSF School of Nursing are pushing the boundaries of nursing science to improve health and health care. 

UCSF School of Nursing Leads Nation as No. 1 Public Recipient of NIH Funding

The school continues to lead the country as the top public recipient of competitive federal research funding among nursing schools nationwide, securing $19.2 million in 2023 to advance research that transforms the health and well-being of communities.
 
The school ranks No. 1 among public institutions in its field in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, and No. 3 overall among all private and public nursing organizations in the country, according to rankings released by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research based on NIH data.
 
“Our researchers lead innovative projects that drive advancements in health care,” says Interim Dean Catherine Waters, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Our continued achievement in securing NIH funds illustrates our ongoing commitment to improve health outcomes for the diverse communities we serve – locally, nationally and globally.”
 
The school captured $6 million more in grants than in 2022, representing a 45% increase. Read the full story.

Ifeyinwa Asiodu

Ifeyinwa Asiodu Will Co-Chair National Committee

Ifeyinwa Asiodu, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor, has been appointed co-chair of the National Academies Committee on Understanding Breastfeeding Promotion, Initiation and Support Across the United States. The committee of experts will conduct a consensus study on policies, programs and investments to better understand the landscape of breastfeeding promotion, initiation and support across the United States. 

Linda Franck Selected as Helen Nahm Research Lecture Award Recipient

Linda Franck, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the recipient of the school’s 43rd Helen Nahm Research Award in honor of her outstanding contributions to nursing science and research. Franck is a professor in the School of Nursing and the Jack and Elaine Koech Endowed Chair in Pediatric Nursing. Her career in interdisciplinary research focuses on enhancing hospital care for infants and children and addressing acute and chronic illnesses in various settings. Her recent research focuses on improving family-centered care and enhancing the partnership between families, communities and health care systems to ensure children receive optimal care before, during and after hospitalization. The lecture will be hosted on May 8, 3 p.m., on the Mission Bay campus. Register. 
 

Linda Franck

Janelli Vallin

Janelli Vallin Named Reproductive Justice Fellow

Janelli Vallin, MS, senior project manager, has been selected as a new Rise in Reproductive Justice Fellow. This fellowship merges Vallin’s work in human-centered design with her advocacy to destigmatize sexual and reproductive health conversations in the Latinx community.

Mike Taigman Honored for Leadership

Mike Taigman, MS, FAEMS, assistant professor, was presented the Keith Neely Outstanding Contribution to the National Association of EMS Physicians Award at the organization’s annual meeting Jan. 8-13. The award is presented to a member who has provided significant leadership to the association.

Mike Taigman

Elena Portacolone, PhD, MPH, MBA, associate professor

Elena Portacolone Raises Awareness On Improved Services With Legislative Offices

One of six UCSF faculty in the inaugural UCSF Science Policy Advocacy Leadership Program, Elena Portacolone, PhD, MBA, MPH, associate professor, met on Feb. 14 in Washington D.C. with staff members of Senators Laphonza Butler and Alex Padilla, Congressmen John Garamendi and Josh Harder, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to increase awareness about the importance of improved services to older Americans living alone with cognitive impairment. This trip officially launched the program. More trips and coaching are planned.

Natalie Wilson Featured in Clinical and Translational Science Institute's Event

Natalie Wilson, PhD, DNP, assistant professor, was the featured guest in the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute's celebration of Black History Month on Feb. 26. Wilson discussed her journey into health care, her work in HIV prevention and community partnerships, and more. Watch the recording.

Natalie Wilson

Van Park

Van Park Presents on Asian Health Equity

Van Park, PhD, MPH, was the featured speaker at a Feb. 15 webinar in which she discussed Asian health disparities. The event, co-hosted by Stanford Medicine and the Health Equity Action Leadership Network, highlighted efforts that explore and improve Asian health equity. 

Emebet Aklilu Shares Work of School's DIO Office

Emebet Aklilu, MPH, MSBH, director of operations in the school’s Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Office, presented the work of the office at the American Association of the Colleges of Nursing's Diversity Symposium on Feb. 5 in New Orleans.
 

Emebet Aklilu

Yoshimi Fukuoka

Yoshimi Fukuoka on AI in Health Care

Yoshimi Fukuoka, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, delivered a presentation on “Increasing Awareness of Heart Disease by AI" at the UCSF Town Hall on Feb. 2. Watch the recording (Fukuoka begins her presentation at the 11-minute mark).

Mica Estrada on Advancing Inclusion in STEMM

Mica Estrada, PhD, associate dean of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach and professor, was a guest speaker at the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine’s workshop series on Jan. 29-30 that focused on advancing antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion in STEMM organizations.

Mica Estrada

Andrea McDade

Andrea McDade Named Preceptor of the Month

Andrea McDade, DNP, PMHNP, is the February Preceptor of the Month. She practices at RAMS Adult Outpatient Clinic in San Francisco’s Richmond District and has precepted PMHNP students for three years. “Andrea is very supportive and encouraging. She emphasizes that there isn’t often one ‘right’ treatment decision, rather numerous paths that can be taken," said alumnus Caitlin Ann Miyazaki.

Read more about McDade, including comments from students, on the Preceptor Portal.

Faculty Capture New Funding

  • Jane Abanes, DNP, PhD, PMHNP-BC, assistant professor, received a grant from the Geneva Foundation for her project "Effects of Acupuncture on Perceived Stress and Health in Military Service Members." The award is $277,778.
  • Jose Gutierrez, PhD, MS, assistant professor, received a grant from Heluna Health for his project "Tailoring Delivery of Long-Acting PrEP for Cisgender Men." The award is $8,188.
  • Karen Gylys, PhD, MS, professor, received a grant from the NIH National Institute on Aging for her project "TS21 Effects on Senescence/SASP in Neurons, Glia and Cell-Specific Exosomes and Spread of Phenotype in Vitro." The award is $112,499.
  • Kristen Harknett, PhD, professor, received a grant from Harvard University for her project "COVID-19 and the Health and Well-Being of Vulnerable Service Sector Workers Across the Life Course." The award is $46,920.
  • Julene Johnson, PhD, professor, received a grant from the NIH National Institute on Aging for her project "Impact of Music Improvisation Training on Brain Function." The award is $358,696.
  • Tracy Lin, PhD, associate professor, received a grant from the Regents of the University of Michigan, for her project "Exposure to Violence and Maternal Health." The award is $22,500.
  • Jenny Liu, PhD, MPP, MA, professor, received a grant from Mzumbe University for her project "MWOTAJI: Making Women's Options for HIV Prevention in Tanzania Accessible and Joining in Implementation Science Capacity Building." The award is $1.3 million. Liu also received an award from Muso Inc. for her project "Proactive Community Case Management and Child Survival: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial." The award is $63,470.
  • Christine Miaskowski, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, received a grant from the General Hospital Corporation for her project "Characteristics and Impact of Chronic Pain and Pain Management in Older Adults." The award is $21,951.

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