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Cultivating Well-Being for the Department of Anesthesia Community

Spring is a time of rejuvenation. We marvel at the signs of renewal and freshness around us and sunnier, longer days. Even when we are at our busiest, Spring bathes us with persistent thoughts to evolve. To renew and grow. Things have been tough with short staffing and I hope the path you choose for renewal and growth is filled with kindness for one another. Our compassion and understanding can make or break someone’s day. “Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple effect with no logical end.” ― Scott Adams

For Your Well-Being,

Jina Sinskey, Associate Chair of Well-Being

Nutritional Psychiatrist and Chef Dr. Uma Naidoo, is regarded as a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry. In her published books, media appearances and lectures Dr. Naidoo draws from cutting-edge science to explain the ways food contributes to our mental health and how a diet can help treat and prevent a wide range of psychological and cognitive health issues.

Why is she regarded as a pioneer? Beyond her credentials, Dr. Naidoo is recognized for her advocacy of integrating nutritional psychiatry into the medical training of clinicians and practitioners.

As she says, “Conversations around food should be starting sooner. We don’t learn it in medical school. Instead, we have to find a way of learning it elsewhere. My larger mission is to educate other healthcare practitioners and clinicians in order to move psychiatry forward. I want doctors of whatever specialty or healthcare workers to start having conversations with their patients. Are you having those conversations? Rather than expecting people to know what they should know when they come into the doctor’s office how about we change things around and as clinicians, we start having the conversations.”

What’s on the nutritional psychiatry horizon? Dr. Naidoo responds, “I’m very excited about psychobiotics. There’s certainly research going on right now. This is the use of gut microbes to help positive mental health and it's using foods to interact with those microbes and see if we can find alternatives. In other words, it’s not that people won’t need psychiatric medications but there are more solutions.”

About Uma Naidoo, MD

Dr. Naidoo is Harvard-trained and the founder and director of the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the U.S. She is the director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at MGH Academy and serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. She is also a professional chef and graduated from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts.

Learn more about Dr. Naidoo, nutritional psychiatry and her mission of elevating nutritional psychiatry into medical training (this topic begins at 13:30) on this episode of The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast.

Image by NoName_13 from Pixabay

Join the Midazzlers and help your anesthesia team rank as top performer in the UC-wide challenge that runs through May 28. UC Moves is a friendly competition with all 10 UC campuses participating and gives you a chance to indulge your athletic abilities.

You can register to join as an individual or join our UCSF Anesthesia Team, "UCSF Midazzlers" by May 21! (Hint: If you can't find UCSF Midazzlers on the All Teams list, use the search function).

FYI - all UC Moves participants are entered into a weekly drawing for prizes including Fit Bit Versa 2s, Fit Bit Sense, Beach Kits and Relaxation kits.

Everyone is welcome to join: faculty, residents, fellows, CRNAs, staff, post-docs. You can register with UC Moves here. To join our team, enter Midazzlers in the Search box on the Team page. Team leader is who else … Jina Sinskey!

Join the Strava group and keep the Midazzlers' energy flowing beyond May. Sign up for a Strava account and join the UCSF Anesthesia Strava group here! Unfamiliar with Strava? It's an online network that connects our faculty, students, staff, trainees and CRNAs in such activities as running, biking, triathlons, and so much more. Contact Vanessa Henke with questions!

Let's Move Together! Come join us in person for lunchtime walk sessions to get our movement minutes in together. 

• Mission Bay - Wednesday, May 17, 12:15 pm to 12:45 pm
• Parnassus - Thursday, May 18, 12 pm to 12:30 pm

Palace Games Escapees, left to right: Paul Cheng, Nick Mendez, Steve Utstein, Lee-lynn Chen, Jim Brandes, Zhen Xiong Chen, Linda Liu and Atsuko Baba.

Houdini Challengers, left to right: Justin Libaw, Chanhung Lee, Joyce Chang, Jina Sinskey, Tyler Jones, Carolina Blotte, Tyler Chernin and Kacy Chau.

By Escapee, Joyce Chang, MD

Thanks to the UCSF Health Getting Back Together Funds, we were able to sponsor a well-being event and spend an afternoon at the city's Palace Games Escape Rooms. It was a fun time using our "Macgyver"-ing skills, problem-solving skills and team-working skills to make our way through the puzzles. Good thing we get regular practice during our day jobs!" 😅 And yes, we all managed to escape!



Getting "Back" Together Funds is an online fundraising campaign to benefit UCSF as a way of championing the people and causes that matter most to the community.

Department of Anesthesia group at the 2019 SF Pride Parade.

Save the date! Walk with us at the SF Pride Parade on June 25, starting around 10 am. More details and sign-up information to come!

Did somebody make your day? This column features stories of our UCSF Anesthesia colleagues going above and beyond! In this edition, we have narratives contributed by Staff Serena Smith, Resident Balky Thind, Dr. Mervyn Maze, Dr. Christina Inglis-Arkell, Dr. Lee-lynn Chen, and from other UCSF staff members--Kathleen Yumul, Sebastiani Romagnolo, Cristina Morrison, and Veronica Alvarez. If you have a story to share, submit it using this Qualtrics Link or scan the QR Code.

By Mervyn Maze, MB, CHB

Professor

Thank You Mission Bay E1AM Group!

Professor Lee-lynn Chen says of the Mission Bay E1AM Group, "They are approachable and always helpful to surgeons, nursing and anesthesia. Their collaboration makes things flow smoothly. Thank you all." Left photo, left to right are Oana Maties, Stephanie Lim, Peter Yeh, Jenny Woodbury and Lee-lynn Chen. Right photo, not at the dinner table, but wishing they were are E1AM members Rondall Lane and Joyce Chang.

Gracias, 

Veronica Alvarez, MPA, PMP

Academic Affairs HR Manager, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences

Robert Hendricks is a team player and has been a strong advocate for the anesthesia staff community. He is passionate about the well-being of our staff and contributes a great amount of time, skill and energy to increase staff engagement and professional development for staff and managers. I personally appreciated the “Frank Conversations” that Robert led to review the Staff Engagement Gallup with staff, get staff feedback and develop areas of improvement. He has committed himself to change and actively works towards bettering the staff experience.”

By Serena Smith, Residency Education Coordinator, Residency HR Liaison

Robert has been an exemplary model of what living Wellness means. He has incorporated an impressive wellness focus in his meetings and departmental leadership. Robert led a captivating presentation at our wellness champions quarterly meeting and his presentation on the wellness efforts he has been leading in his department inspired fellow wellness champions to adopt similar models and ideas in their own spaces. The Wellness Champions program has benefited tremendously from Robert’s participation with his inventive ideas on how to make well-being a center of employee experiences here at UCSF.

By Kathleen Yumul, Wellness Program Manager and

Sebastiani Romagnolo, Wellness Project Coordinator

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Robert on various space-related projects over the years. I appreciate his commitment to doing what is right and being the voice for the needs of Anesthesia. We worked on high-stress moves related to open-plan space at UCSF. Robert is skilled in being fully present and provided a listening ear for me during challenging times rolling out the open plan space move logistics. He is adaptable, has an insatiable curiosity and asks good questions. I appreciate knowing Robert as a friend and colleague.

By Cristina Morrison, Assistant Director of Operations, UCSF Real Estate

Did you know that UCSF is looking for Wellness Champions? Wellness and Community is accepting applications throughout the year for employees interested in becoming Wellness Champions. Applications are reviewed at the start of each quarter. Upon completion of your application and acceptance into the program, new Champions will attend an informational onboarding session. Once onboarded, Champions will be able to attend quarterly meetings, social gatherings and reap the full benefits of the Wellness Champion Program.

Please click here to access the application.

Onboarding

New Wellness Champions can onboard every quarter. FY 24 onboarding dates:

• Summer: July 6, 2023 
• Fall: October 5, 2023
• Winter: January 4, 2024
• Spring: April 4, 2024

Wellness & Community Launches Opt-in Channel

Wellness & Community and the UCSF mobile app have launched an opt-in channel for our community to receive instant push notifications. You could be the first to know about a flash discount, a wellness challenge, a pop-up event, and more.

Opt-in by going to UCSF Mobile app ​> messages > opt-in channels > Wellness & Community.

Don't have the app, download it for Android or iPhone today.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.ucsf.cls 

iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ucsf-mobile/id914153406?mt=8 

Did you know there are pianos at Parnassus and Mission Bay open for UCSF faculty, staff, post-docs, and students to play?

Parnassus Location 

UCSF Kalmanovitz Library - A Yamaha digital piano is available by reservation. Please confirm current Library Hours prior to reserving. 

Mission Bay Location

Pub Lounge, William J. Rutter Center - A Yamaha digital piano is available for drop-in play. Available hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturday-Sunday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. 

If you have questions regarding pianos email wellnessandcommunity@ucsf.edu 

Are you looking for resources beyond those offered by Family Services? Visit the MyFamily web portal to discover a wide range of family supportive resources at UCSF and in the Bay Area. Our directory provides a centralized location for parents, and others, to find information on child, youth, and older adult services on campus and in the community.



MyFamily web portal is a collaborative effort between UCSF Family Services, The UCSF Committee on Family Services, and the UCSF Committee on The Status of Women.

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

We’ve successfully adopted flexible work styles that embrace our desire for a work-life balance that accommodates our personal responsibilities and desires. For many, the business week has morphed for the better to one that employees can manage and adjust as their needs require and, with the adoption of electronic tools and apps, without sacrificing work product.

The emphasis on work-life balance has generated a rethinking of how we conduct our daily business. Consider adopting these UCSF recognized Best Practices and your colleagues won't wince when they get your virtual meeting invites and emails.

Virtual Meetings

Virtual Meeting Wellness Guide is an infographic with key points to think about before you email the Zoom meeting invite, such as:

·     Does it need to be a video meeting?

·     Keep the meeting length in mind.

·     Try not to schedule meetings back to back.

·     Use your meeting breaks wisely.

Email Scheduling and Signatures

Did you know that you can schedule your email sends? This Best Practice ensures that emails are received during the day and not when you compose them in the evenings or on weekends. Here are the steps: In Outlook use the Email Delay Delivery Function. Compose your email > select the Send button > left click the down arrow > click Send or Schedule send > add your customized delivery date and time > click Send.

Add Gender Pronouns to Your Email Signature

By including gender pronouns in your email signature you are minimizing misgendering and i's an important strategy towards inclusivity. See UCSF Signature Samples.

Acknowledge Our Varied Work Schedules



Let others know you encourage and respect their work-life integration by adding a phrase to your email signature that acknowledges the variations of our workdays.

·     I work on a flexible schedule and across several time zones so I’m sending this message now because it works for me. Feel free to read, act on, or respond at a time that works for you. 

·     I don’t expect you to respond to my email outside your work hours. 

·     I value and respect flexible work arrangements so please respond when you are working. 

·     I sometimes send emails out of hours; I do not expect others to do so. 

·     I do not respond to emails on weekends. If this is an emergency, please. 

Financial Wellness is how to effectively manage your finances and economic life. We have online links of several financial classes available for May and June 2023. Click Financial Classes and Webinars for a full listing and links to registration.

Are you taking full advantage of the benefits offered at UCSF? Peruse the Other Benefits page to get information on Adoption Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Family Care Resources and Homeowner/Renter/Auto Insurance.

Are you curious about how much $ you make? Get an estimate of the approximate value of your total UC compensation at the Total Compensation Estimator.

UCSF Risk Advisory and Insurance Services (RAIS) protects the assets and interests of the university through the assessment of loss exposures, focused prevention efforts and efficient management of insurance and self-insurance policies. The programs include Clinical Trial Insurance & Subject Injury, Property Self-Insurance. Included are links to Business Travel Insurance, Travel Resources, Vendor Insurance Requirements and Certificates of Insurance.

May 19, 12 pm to 1 pm

In-Person at UC Fresno

Zoom info sent with RSVP

RSVP: fresno-risk@ucsf.edu or call 559-499-6407

Join your Risk Management Department to spend an hour with some of the fantastic defense attorneys to review methods for avoiding risk events and lawsuits. This is a hybrid meeting, and Panera lunches will be available for in-person participants.

Zoom info will be sent to participants that RSVP.

Meet Dr. Lee-lynn Chen

HS Clinical Professor

UCSF Profile

Share one thing that brings you joy.

My family and friends bring me the most joy in life.

When did you join UCSF?

I started my anesthesia residency in 2002 and have never looked back since. 

What is your favorite part of being at UCSF?

The people at UCSF are truly exceptional.

What is a little-known fact about you?

I enjoy all sorts of food and traveling with my family.

Any ideas on how to spread kindness and well-being in our community?

Pay it forward. Always be kind and try to help a fellow colleague.

Meet Martie Santos!

Academic HR Liaison

Martie Santos is retiring. Her final day at UCSF is June 29. Currently, she is responsible for facilitation and coordination of academic personnel actions such as leaves, appointments, medical license actions and more. One faculty member, Chris Abrecht, MD, says of Martie, “From when I joined as faculty several years ago to the present, working together on some complex subspecialty faculty hires, Martie has been unfailingly prompt and communicative. She has mastered the art of being extremely professional while allowing her appreciated style and personality to shine through!”

Share what brings you joy.

I derive joy in experiencing behavior and comportment which reflect kindness and respect. These qualities are the bedrock of an organizational culture that thrives on wellness and inclusion. In the work setting, I appreciate work product that is predicated on a superlative work ethic and I strive to deliver the same.

When did you join UCSF?

June 10, 1992--31 years ago. Previously, I worked at Cal State East Bay and Seton Medical Center. My HR career at UCSF was initially focused on Staff HR and I later transitioned to Academic HR. I was extremely tentative about this transition, but it turned out to reflect a period of momentous growth AND satisfaction in my HR career.

What is your favorite part of being at UCSF?

My entire career at UCSF has been in this department. Throughout the years and positions I’ve held, I gravitated toward self-development opportunities AND experiences that defined who I am today. Moreover, I’ve derived great benefit from fellowship and collaborative engagements with colleagues in other departments. I’m immensely proud of my department Staff HR diversity efforts, which have culminated with the department being accorded Affirmative Action Best Practices for over 12 years prior to transitioning to my current Academic HR role. I was appointed by the Chancellor as the sole staff co-chair of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Diversity. And, at Dr. Renee Navarro’s behest, I presented at the Department’s Diversity Committee and most recently, I was a founding member of ASCEND (an acronym I developed): Anesthesia Staff Committee for Elevating and Nurturing Diversity. On the lighter side, I thoroughly enjoyed parlaying my skills to write anesthesia-centric lyrics showcased in videos and performances, with the assistance of former co-worker Maelani Atken and current faculty, Drs. Charlene Blake and Odmara Barretto-Chang.

What is a little-known fact about you?

This is as good a time as any to reveal a few unknowns about me. I was born in the U.S. Territory of Guam. I was groomed in academics whereby my Dad equated an “A-“ to an “F”. The result of my academic immersion was being awarded full scholarships (tuition, room, board, books) to Stanford and the University of San Francisco (USF). I matriculated at USF where I earned a BS in Political Science, MA in Public Administration. While a freshman at USF, I was crowned Miss Guam San Francisco Bay Area.

Do you have a favorite quote to share?

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” ― Maya Angelou

Any ideas on how to spread kindness and well-being in our community?

It starts with SELF. Being mindful and appreciating the energy you create especially when the circumstances are unsavory and challenging. That energy translates to how we engage with one another while doing our work. We need to make it a best practice, or a habit so it takes hold and evolves into a workplace of wellness.

What are your retirement plans?

I hope it’s clear to those with whom I’ve worked throughout the years that I take pride in my work product. I’m mindful of how I conduct myself while performing my job. In retirement, I’ll carry those same traits into my community activism and volunteer work with non-profits, such as Reading Partners (a children's literacy nonprofit) and REAP Climate Center (Regeneration/Education/Aquaculture/Permaculture: a non-profit focused on mitigating climate change while supporting health/resilience of the planet’s ecosystems). Of course, TRAVEL is in the cards.

Don't pass on this offer. Prices range from $9 to $32.

Giants Discount Tickets

The Clinical Trials Operations (CTO) team in collaboration with Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs) Council host this virtual event on May 18 from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.

UCSF Clinical Trials Day is an annual celebration of the many contributions CRCs make to the university's clinical research enterprise. Registration.

Ride of Silence 2023

May 17, 6 pm to 7:30 pm

Chan Kajall Park, 17th Street

https://rideofsilencesf.org/ 

San Francisco's annual Ride of Silence is a solemn group ride to honor those injured or killed while biking. This ride takes place in over 20 countries on the third Wednesday in May, with thousands of people riding their bikes to remember, support each other, and heal collectively.

Bike to Work or Wherever Day May 18

May 18, Anytime

Parnassus: In front of Millberry Union

Mission Bay: 4th St, Plaza in front of hospital

Join people across San Francisco, including your UCSF colleagues, in riding your bike to get to wherever you need to go – or just for fun. Stop by our tables for prizes and treats! Register in advance for a free shower pass courtesy of UCSF Fitness and Recreation. 

May 22, 12 pm to 1 pm

Virtual Meeting

Advance Registration

UCSF Asian Pacific American Systemwide Alliance (APASA), in partnership with Office of Diversity and Outreach invite all UCSF members to join the 3rd Annual AAPI Leadership Panel Discussion. This virtual event spotlights different AAPI leaders at UCSF to celebrate May's AAPI Heritage Month. The session includes dynamic conversations on identity, career trajectory, and AAPI workplace issues such as the bamboo ceiling with leaders from UCSF.

Now through May 31

Free Virtual Viewing

Registration

For AAPI Heritage Month, a free virtual screening and Q&A with filmmaker Jon Osake. All UC members can view by filling out the Film Distribution Form or at the Registration link above.

Photo by Eva Andria on Unsplash

This edition's column is brought to you by the department's former Chief of Staff and Wellness Champion Robert Hendricks. Robert knows all things about bowling. He started bowling with his family and continues to this day playing with different leagues in the Bay Area. His tournament play takes him across the country and he has won such titles as Team, Doubles, Singles, All Events and Scratch Masters. In this column, he gives us the benefit of his experiences with comments on four Bay Area bowling alleys.

Are you looking for a wellness activity? Look no further than bowling! Not only is it a blast to play, but it's also an incredible way to foster collaboration and communication within your group. San Francisco is home to numerous bowling alleys, each with its own distinct vibe and exciting features to explore. So, gather your crew and get ready to roll! There are four bowling options within San Francisco. 

One of the most popular bowling alleys in San Francisco is Lucky Strike Bowling Venue. The venue is located on King Street, near AT&T Park, and has over 12 bowling lanes, as well as an arcade, pool tables, and a bar. Lucky Strike is perfect for team-building events, as it has a private room that can be rented out for corporate events, birthday parties, or any other occasion. The room can accommodate up to 250 guests, and catering is also available.

Another popular bowling alley in San Francisco is Mission Bowling Club. The venue is located in the Mission District and features six bowling lanes, a restaurant and a bar. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, making it the perfect spot for a night out with friends or a team-building event. Mission Bowling Club also offers private event space for up to 150 guests, making it an excellent option for corporate events or parties.

Yerba Buena Bowling Center is another popular spot for bowling in San Francisco. The venue is located in the SOMA district and features 12 bowling lanes, as well as a bar and arcade games. Yerba Buena Bowling Center is perfect for team-building events, as it offers a private event space with catering available. The venue can accommodate up to 200 guests, making it an excellent option for large groups.

The San Francisco Presidio Bowling Alley is a historic landmark that has been a popular destination for locals and tourists alike for decades. Built in 1941, the bowling alley was originally constructed as part of the Presidio Army Base, where it served as a recreation center for soldiers and their families. After the base was decommissioned in 1994, the Presidio Trust took over the management of the property, and the bowling alley became available for public use. With 12 lanes the alley offers a range of league play, open bowling, and special events, including birthday parties, corporate events and even weddings.

By Robert Hendricks

The Recommendations column is open for contributions from you. It's a space where you can share your favorite things. The sky's the limit with your suggested favorites, like your favorite restaurants, great things to do, best reads, podcasts, films, or suggestions about Best Delivery or Best Pet-Friendly places. The point is to bring out your favorites and bests to share with all of us!

WELL-BEING QUARTERLY is a publication of the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care @ 2023 UCSF. All rights reserved. You can contact me at our department mailbox, Anesthesia Well-Being, or Jina.Sinskey@ucsf.edu.