Medical Education
Dear Medical Students and Medical Education Colleagues,

We have all watched in horror today as an armed and violent mob disrupted the constitutional process certifying the 2020 election of Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris as the 46th President and Vice President of the United States by taking over the US capitol. We condemn acts of violence and threats to our democracy.

We recognize that it may be difficult for students to concentrate during this time. We are therefore activating the racial and sociopolitical trauma protocol and offering the following modified schedule through January 22, 2021. We would also like to remind you of our ongoing student support resources. Faculty Educators are copied on this email.
Curricular Plans

Foundations 1

January 7-January 22

  • Recognizing that some students process and cope best by continuing with work in the curriculum, curricular activities will continue as scheduled and focus on the content of the course.
  • Students who are unable to participate in these experiences are able to opt out of them without consequence (i.e., does not use a discretionary absence). Students must complete an absence request form if they need to miss a required session.

Foundations 2/Career Launch

January 7-January 22

  • Students should continue attending clinical rotations to support patients and our communities.
  • If you are unable to participate in your clinical assignment, please check-in with your team members, contact your clerkship director, and notify your academic advisor on the Student Experience Team.

Should you need additional support, everyone on the Student Experience Team, including Medical Student Well-being are here for you. You can reach any of them at (415) 476-1216. After hours, this number will also direct students to an urgent line who will connect students to someone on our team. Below you will find our other emergency student support resources.
Take care of yourselves and others, 

Medical Education Deans
UCSF School of Medicine

Catherine R. Lucey, MD
Vice Dean for Medical Education
Executive Vice Dean for the School of Medicine

Michelle A. Albert, MD, MPH
Associate Dean for Admissions

Peter Chin-Hong, MD
Associate Dean for Regional Campuses

John Davis, MD, PhD
Associate Dean for Curriculum

Karen Hauer, MD, PhD
Associate Dean for Competency Assessment and Professional Standards

Lee Jones, MD
Associate Dean for Students

Kevin H. Souza, MS
Associate Dean for Medical Education
Student Well-Being Resources

  • Medical Student Well-being Program: Free Psychotherapy and Medication Management: The physician and psychologist in the Medical Student Wellbeing program are especially trained in working with medical students.This service is free to all medical students and will always be confidential. Please schedule an appointment with either Howard Rubin, MD or Vittorio Comelli, Psychologist via email or by calling 415-476-0468.

  • UCSF Student Health & Counseling: (415) 476-1281, option 2

  • Student Experience Team and Medical Student Dean on Call (after hours issues): (415) 476-1216, option 1


  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

  • National Crisis Text Line: 741-741

  • MedPeers Program: Connects medical students with peers who have completed at least three years of medical school. Email medpeer@ucsf.edu and the MedPeer on call will respond within 12-24 hours.