Bridges Bulletin
UCSF health care workers receive a donation of personal protective
equipment from medical students
Navigating the COVID Crisis as a First-Year Medical Student
Seeing the immense sacrifice of physicians, nurses, medical staff, and other people working to get those most vulnerable through COVID-19 has reminded me why I want to be a physician. Health professionals, for instance, have put their personal health at risk to care for patients. They have inspired countless stories of immense compassion through these trying times. I am incredibly grateful and eager to make such a direct impact.

Despite my eagerness to be in the hospital serving patients, I accept that as a first-year medical student, I have a different role to play in alleviating this crisis. While I wish I could do more to directly help those suffering from the disease, I know that first year medical students can make our own contributions through learning, volunteering and educating friends, family and the public.
Featured Educator
Kirsten Kangelaris: New Inquiry Advisor
Kirsten Kangelaris, MD , has been appointed an inquiry advisor, effective April 1, 2020. Dr. Kangelaris is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of the Academic Hospital Medicine fellowship within the Division of Hospital Medicine.

Inquiry Curriculum advisors are matched with students in their first year at UCSF and support students’ scholarly research throughout the four-year span of medical school by helping students select a project and mentor, offering support if any issues arise, and approving final project submissions. The six Inquiry advisors, including Dr. Kangelaris, were carefully selected for experience, know-how and commitment to student research.
Medical Education COVID-19 Website

Get the latest curriculum updates, information, and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 from Medical Education and Graduate Medical Education.
Medical Education News and Policy Updates
Graduation Announcement

We will be celebrating the Class of 2020 virtually. The ongoing public health response to COVID-19 requires that we avoid large scale gatherings for the foreseeable future. While the celebration is virtual, the joy that will be felt by friends, classmates, faculty,
deans, family and loved ones is not.
Policy Updates

On April 7, the Committee on Curriculum and Educational Policy approved the following changes to medical education policies:

  • Foundations 2 Attendance Policy: Thanksgiving is now listed as an official holiday and medical students are released from clerkships during the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving at 5:00 p.m. through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.

  • Changes to Graduation Policies: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following policies have a clause stating that the CCEP may waive specific graduation requirements during times of public health emergencies or other crises that impact the school’s 1) ability to deliver standardized curriculum or 2) impact the nation’s ability to deliver board exams. Any change will follow the Liaison Committee of Medical Education’s accreditation requirements: USMLE Board Exam Policy, Time To Graduation, Satisfactory Time To Graduation (Financial Aid). At this time, UCSF has not had to waive any graduation requirements, this clause simply gives us the ability to do so, if needed.

  • Technical Standards: Candidates for admission and current students will be required to acknowledge and provide written explanation of any felony offense(s), misdemeanor offense(s), and institutional action(s) taken against them prior to matriculation or while enrolled at the School of Medicine. This disclosure is required of all offenses, including expunged and diverted offense.
Featured Story
Dr. Catherine Lucey - A Life in Medicine:
People Shaping Health Care Today

Bob Wachter, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine, interviews Vice Dean for Education and Executive Vice Dean for the UCSF School of Medicine Catherine R. Lucey, MD, about her career path, revamping the curriculum at the School of Medicine, and the importance of diversity in medicine.
Virtual Events
MedEd Grand Rounds: Education Showcase Plenary Presentations

Event Date: March 20, April 24, and more
Event Time: Full day
Event Details: With the in-person sessions for the UCSF Education Showcase cancelled due to the COVID-19 response, the Center for Faculty Educators is pleased to offer this Medical Education Grand Rounds virtually, featuring three Education Showcase Plenary Presentations:
  • From grading to assessment for learning: a qualitative study of student perceptions surrounding elimination of core clerkship grades
  • A qualitative study of faculty perceptions of the elimination of tiered grades with increased emphasis on feedback in core clerkships
  • Does being a coach benefit clinician-educators? A mixed methods study of faculty self-efficacy, job satisfaction and burnout
Upcoming Center for Faculty Educators Virtual Events

UCSF Educational Skills Workshops and special events for the UCSF Educational Community. Brought to you by the Center for Faculty Educators.