Meet the New Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs

Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, DNP, MPH, PNP, Chief of Advanced Practice Providers will succeed Gina Intinarelli-Shuler, PhD, RN as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs in the UCSF School of Nursing beginning February 5, 2024.

In this part-time appointment, Ivette will oversee the Office of Clinical Affairs that manages operations in clinical practice and innovation including clinical contracting for faculty and Volunteer Faculty Network. She will serve as a member of the Dean's Council while simultaneously maintaining her current role as Chief of Advanced Practice Providers for UCSF Health.

Mitchel Erickson Publishes His Doctoral QI Research

Mitchel Erickson, DNP, ACNP-C has worked at UCSF for about 30 years as a Nurse or Nurse Manager, Geriatric Age-Friendly ED consultant as well as serving as the inaugural Associate Chief of Advanced Practice for UCSF Health. He completed his DNP in 2023 and recently published his doctoral QI research, "Assessing medication self-management challenges and self-efficacy during emergency department medication reconciliation: An Evidenced-based quality improvement project. The inter-professional work resulted in implementation of additional medication self-management screening questions by inpatient pharmacy techs during medication reconciliation.

Kasem Toubat & Annie White Travel to NYU

Physician Assistants Annie White and Kasem Toubat presented a poster at the NYU Critical Care Symposium in New York. The poster "TAVR in the Management of Cardiogenic Shock Requiring ECMO Caused by Severe Aortic Stenosis" featured a patient that they took care of in the Cardiac ICU. The poster was well received at the symposium. Both Annie and Kasem recently celebrated their 1-year anniversary at on the Cardiac ICU team. This was a great way to end their first year at UCSF.

General Surgery APPs Engaging Beyond Direct Patient Care

Roxana Benavides, NP (top) has recently taken on a leadership role with the training of General Surgery NP Fellows. Her expertise in neurology and the ICU is providing valuable insight in the development of surgical competencies with the ultimate goal of improving NP Fellow education and evaluation. With this educational goal in mind. Roxanna is also working with the General Surgery APP manager to help develop APP specific educational discussions to improve fluency surrounding their complex patients Kudos to Roxana for taking action to improve their group’s understanding in safe and more structured way. NPs Kristin Lewis (middle) and Linda Pan (bottom) have shown both enthusiasm and commitment to the organizational goals of improving APP billing and making the work they do more visible. They are establishing workflows for a group who has historically been deeply focused on patient care without a concurrent focus on capturing revenue for services provided. Linda and Kristin are working with Rosie Krauter in the Office of Advance Practice to improve both inpatient and ambulatory billing opportunities and processes. Kudos to Linda and Kristin for the work they are doing to improve their groups' productivity; making their difficult/complex work more visible; aligning themselves with both the department and UCSF Health goals.

Cardiac ICU APPs Care for the Extremely Ill

The Cardiac ICU team has been working very hard to take fantastic care of some of the sickest patients in the hospital while also being short-staffed for the past year. Patients were added to their service mid-way through the year, which increased their night shift requirement to >50%. Despite this, they continue to provide comprehensive patient care and maintain a positive attitude.  You are so appreciated! Thank you for all your hard work!

Holiday Gathering-Oakland APPs

APPs at the Oakland campus socialized off-site in early December 2023. Attendees included Hani Gutierrez, Tara Valcarcel, Bethany Geleris, Kaitlin Hale, Megan Bailey, Turner Wiley, Meg Schoettler, Rebecca Silvers.

2024 Clinical Inquiry Conference

11th Annual Nursing Research and EBP Conference

Keynote Speaker: Rae Walker, PhD, RN, FAAN U.of Massachusetts Amherst "Eulogy for Artificial Intelligence: What Care Futures Will We Build for the Post-AI. Era?

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 830am-430pm

50+ posters will be presented including the work of several APPs

South San Francisco Conference Center 255 S.Airport Blvd, South San Francisco

Registration Fee $25 (UCSF), $75 (non-UCSF)

For more information. 7 contact hours.

A Journal Club for APP's

The Critical Care Journal Club is open to all APPs.

In collaboration with UCSF's Clinical Nurse Scientist, Maria Yefimova, she will share insight and expertise on how to critically appraise the New England Journal of Medicine article Dexmedetomidine or Propofol for Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Adults with Sepsis. Contact Emily.Kelly3@ucsf.edu, Rubi. Hickson@ucsf.edu or Laurie.Nguyen@ucsf.edu with any questions.

Wednesday January 31, 2024 1-2pm

Meeting ID: 996 2992 2807 Password: 837828

Pediatric Grand Rounds (East Bay)

Every Tuesday 8-9AM

For Zoom login information, contact: Cristina Fernandez crfernandez@ucsf.edu, 510-428-3885 ext 4343. Full schedule and archived videos (Password: CHRCO).

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 TODAY

"Cardiovascular Health in Childhood Cancer Patients and Survivors" Presented by Saro Armenian, DO, MPH

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

"Congenital Heart Surgery: Innovation vs Randomized Clinical Trials” Presented by: Sarah Tabbutt, MD, PhD

APP Grand Rounds

Tuesday January 9, 2024 12-1PM TODAY

Where We Stand: Inclusion of NPs and PAs in Healthcare Workforce Projections

Presented by Dr. Kim Curry, PhD, FNP, FAANP

Past Editor-in-Chief JAANP

Moderated by Dr. Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, Chief of APP

2 Steps to Register in Advance

1. Point your camera to QR code or visit here
2. To claim 1-hour CEU for RN/NP/CRNA/CNM. Preregister at Nursing Connect

Search by title "inclusion of NPs and PAs" or "APP Legislation". Category 2CME for PA no additional registration required.

APEX Training Program for APPs



The Office of Advanced Practice Providers developed an ongoing APeX training program specific to APPs.

Objectives:

1. Implement efficiency tips designed to improve workflows
2. Utilize APeX personalization features
3. Curriculum tailored to your practice needs

Details:

via zoom over 4-week period

Three 1-hour courses scheduled at your convenience (individual)

One 2-hour personalization and optimization meeting (small group)

3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits included

Please discuss with your manager before enrolling. If you are interested in participating contact Roseanne.Krauter@ucsf.edu

wRVU, Benchmarks, and More

wRVU is a number assigned to every codable direct patient care experience. What is your wRVU? Complete this form to receive a monthly report of your wRVU totals

starting in February 2024. APPs who opt-in are agreeing to abide by a code of conduct. This code of conduct is in place to set expectations for professionalism around wRVU data.

What are the current APP utilization benchmarks?

Ambulatory setting: APP who is a 1.0 FTE is at least 2700 wRVU/year, 8 clinical sessions (1 session = 4 hrs)/week, >48 patients/week.

Inpatient setting: APP who is a 1.0 FTE is at least 1000 wRVU/year, Provider to patient ratio acute care floor 1:10-16, ICU 1:4-8, discharge before noon at least 20%.

Reach out to your manager or advancedpractice@ucsf.edu for more information.

Resources about wRVU and billing:

Ambulatory APP Tip Sheet

APP Town Hall Topic: APP utilization (recorded June 2022)

APP Town Hall Topic: Billing documentation (recorded March 2023)

(handout March 2023)

Updated Promo Code for BLS, ACLS, and PALS

Don't wait to the last minute to renew your BLS, ACLS or PALS. Sign up for a course at any of the 45 locations throughout the bay area with Safety Training Seminars (STS). UCSF will cover the cost of the course (if required on your job description). Use NEW promo code: UCSFAP

14% of Americans Report Some Degree of Hearing Loss

Register for a free webinar that will provide an overview of common barriers experienced by deaf and hard of hearing patients in healthcare and offer guidance around the policies for providing effective communication, such as sign language interpretation, real-time captioning (CART), assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids or services. Webinar hosted on Tuesday January 16, 2024 noon-1PM. Register here.

APP Town Hall

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 4:10PM-5PM TODAY

Presented by Roseanne Krauter, FNP-BC, CORLN Director of Informatics and Clinical Systems

APeX Bootcamp: Save Time on Chart Review, Documentation and Orders

• Quickly navigating the chart
• Utilizing Smartphrases and Smartlinks
• Building order preferences and order sets
• Personalizing your tabs, diagnosis, patient instructions, and billing areas
• Results management and quick actions
• Additional ongoing training opportunities

*If you are able, consider using a desktop or laptop computer with APeX access to attend this Town Hall. That way you can follow along in APeX during the presentation. 

Meeting ID: 913 7122 7132 Password: 396199

One click to join or call in 1669 219 2599

Click here to complete a short Qualtrics survey on APP Town Halls.

Inaugural UCSF Health Chief Medical Officer

Lukejohn Day, MD, is the inaugural UCSF Health system CMO, reporting to Josh Adler, MD, chief clinical officer. The system wide CMO role was created not just due to the growth in size, but also the increased differentiation in how UCSF practices medicine. He will provide oversight and direction about where it makes sense for our clinical policies to differ, for example, between adult and children’s services, or between our network and faculty practice, and where standardization is necessary. Dr. Day will serve as the key physician leader in determining policies and procedures for medical care across UCSF Health, standardizing medical care policies and procedures where appropriate, and identifying circumstances where variation is justified on clinical care grounds.

Is the Discharge of Your Patient Pending A Radiology Study?

NEW Jordan Kaitz (on Voalte) is the new Radiology Flow Officer. Jordan's role is to work with inpatient APPs, RN, MDs to facilitate radiology studies for patients on the discharge from hospital list. Voalte Jordan for real-time escalation and resolution of imaging modalities and scheduling. Availability Monday through Friday 0900-1730.

Nominate an Attending, Fellow or Resident

Exceptional Physician Awards are accepting nominations until January 12, 2024. Nominations must be seconded.

Nominate an attending, fellow or resident with this application. For more information about the award, read more.

APPs Who Joined UCSF Health

Please extend a warm welcome to our newly hired APPs

Shannon Tam, NP Emergency Department

Stephen Johnson, NP Ortho Institute Foot & Ankle

Lauren Karp, NP Transfusion Service

APP Job Openings with Referral Awards NEW



Newly added Employee Referral Program for each open position.

There are over 70 positions open for both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Click here for full listing of West Bay job openings as of January 2024

Patient's Comments about APPs from Press Ganey Survey

Womens Health: "Linda Dulong, NP has been with Women's Health for almost as long as i haven been a patient here. I appreciate her expertise, her willingness to listen, her calm manner, and her compassion."

Lakeshore Primary Care: "Christine Kelly, NP is excellent"

OrthoSpine Parnassus: "Ashley Sauter, PA provided exceptional patient care"

Breast Cancer Survivorship: "I have been seeing this provider (Emily Flores, NP) for 10 years. I appreciate both Emily and the survivorship program as they have provided a valuable resource for me."

What Exactly Are We Doing at Work?

Contributed by Michael Rabow, MD, FAAHPM

Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, UCSF Clinical Professor Emeritus of Family and Community Medicine, author of Kitchen Table Wisdom wrote a beautiful commentary called "Helping, Fixing or Serving?". Helping, fixing and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as week. When you fix, you see life as broken, When you serve, you see life as whole. Read more.

Benefits of Stress

UCSF Stress researcher, Dr. Elissa Epel talks about how and when stress can be beneficial for the body. See video link (1.25 minutes).

Epel's book, The Stress Prescription: Seven Days to More Joy and Ease was named a favorite book of 2023 by Greater Good Magazine.

21 Practices for Happiness & Accomplishment at Work Workshop

On January 25, 2024 from 9-12 noon, there will be an innovative blend of short presentations, brief individual and group interactive exercises, and exposure to a variety of practices designed to help participants learn curated 21 Practices in small and manageable increments. There is no course fee. Register with the UC Learning Center, read more.

UCSF Gym Membership

Join by January 31, 2024 to take advantage $0 Enrollment. UCSF Fitness and Recreation membership provides access to unlimited Group X classes, fitness equipment, drop-in sports, online reservations. Lots of amenities at Bakar Fitness Center at Mission Bay and Millberry Fitness Center at Parnassus.

Deadline to Renew NPIII February 29, 2024

Reappointment for NPIII occurs every 3 years. Applications are accepted twice a year on the last business day day of February and August.

Want to know more about submitting an application for an initial NPIII promotion?

Email advancedpractice@ucsf.edu to request a meeting with an NPIII on the clinical ladder promotion committee. Check out exemplar applications here. Initial applications are accepted twice a year on the last business day of March and September.

UCSF APP Advisory Board



The advisory board is comprised of 23 seats occupied by APPs representing all of UCSF's APPs. The build the systems for the functioning programs, decide which programs need to be eliminated and what services need to be initiated. Read the minutes from their monthly meetings here and if you have questions or want to get involved, contact Advisory Board Chair Bethany.Geleris@ucsf.edu.

Office Hours: Office of Advanced Practice Providers

every 2^nd Tuesday at noon and every 4^th Wednesday at 8:00 AM

Meeting ID: 912 4155 9875 Password: 503138

Tuesday, January 9, 2024 12-1 PM TODAY

Host: Kurstan Del Rosario, Senior Operations Analyst

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 8-9 AM

Host: Alisa Yee, Director of Operations

The Office of Advanced Practice Providers is here to support you.

Email us at advancedpractice@ucsf.edu

Read archived APP newsletters

Visit the UCSF APP website

Ivette Becerra-Ortiz, DNP, MPH, NP, RN, NEA-BC, C-PNP Chief of Advanced Practice Providers

Kurstan Del Rosario Senior Operations Analyst

Tara Valcarcel, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC Director, Pediatric Operations Advanced Practice Providers 

Roseanne "Rosie" Krauter, FNP-BC, CORLN Director of Clinical Systems

Brandon Sessler MMS,PA-C

Director of Professional Practice Fellowship Coordinator

Alisa Yee, MSN, ACNP-BC

Director, Adult Operations Advanced Practice Providers