The Spark

Host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) discusses opiate prescribing and related research with Dr. Wen Shen, Professor in the UCSF Department of Surgery, and his former mentee, Stephanie Kwan.. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

Gun violence is one of the biggest Health & policy epidemics gripping the country right now. In 2017, nearly 40,000 people in the United States died from guns. Perhaps more surprising, in the United States of America firearms are the second leading cause of death for children. Suicide accounts for the majority of gun deaths, followed by homicides including mass shooting. While Suicide is complex a...

In this episode, we showcase the latest research and patient care initiatives at UCSF and its School of Medicine focused on treating people with Alzheimer's disease and dementias, including student work in this area. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

In this episode, we showcase the latest research and patient care initiatives at UCSF and its School of Medicine focused on treating people with chronic pain, including student work in this area. We'll hear from Dr. Mark Schumacher, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, as well as third-year medical student Emma Levine...

In this episode, we feature initiatives in the School of Medicine focused on diversity, equity and inclusion – both in approaches to patient care and research, as well as in medical education via the Bridges Curriculum. We'll hear from Dr. Michelle Guy, a professor of medicine and a dean's diversity leader in the Differences Matter Initiative, as well as second year medical student Daniella Corder...

In this episode, we feature UCSF initiatives and research aimed at caring for people with sleep disorders. We'll hear from Dr. David Claman, a sleep disorders specialist who directs the UCSF Sleep Disorders Center. We also talk to fourth-year medical student Daniel Schwartz, who completed a research project in this area as part of his learning in the Bridges Curriculum. Music: Sneaker Chase by Pod...

Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

In this episode, we'll hear from Dr. Scott Steiger, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, and Deputy Medical Director of the Opiate Treatment Outpatient Program at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG). Dr. Steiger will discuss his research and patient care initiatives in treating people with substance use disorders in some of the city's most vulnerable communities. W...

This episode focuses on faculty excellence and professionalism in medical education. We'll hear from Associate Professor of Medicine Dr. Stephanie Rennke, a recipient of this year's Maxine Papadakis Awards for Professionalism and Respect. We also talk to a fourth-year medical student who nominated faculty for this year's teaching excellence awards which were presented in October. Music: Sneaker Ch...

This episode is part 2 of a special edition to welcome this year's incoming class of first-year UCSF medical students. We'll hear from the School of Medicine Dean Dr. Talmadge King, as he reflects on medical career highlights, inspirations, and mentors such as Alvin Poussaint, MD. We also talk to first-year medical student Ryan Badiee with his thoughts on what's most exciting embarking on medical...

This month's episode is devoted to breast cancer awareness month. We talk to second-year medical student April Liang about her research project on breast mammography data and her goal to help improve breast cancer screening. We also interview Dr. Hope Rugo, a UCSF medical oncology and hematologist, who directs the UCSF Breast Oncology Clinical Trials program. Dr. Rugo gives perspectives on the lat...

In this episode, we're celebrating the 11-year anniversary of PRIME, the Program in Medical Education for the Urban Underserved. PRIME-US is a five-year track at the UCSF School of Medicine and the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program for students committed to working with urban underserved communities. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

This episode is a special edition devoted to back-to-school week, and a welcome to this year's incoming class of first-year medical students. We'll hear from three School of Medicine education deans as they reflect on their medical career highlights, plus their medical school mentors and inspirations. Listen to interviews with Vice Dean for Medical Education and Executive Vice Dean for the School...

In this episode, we talk to fourth-year medical student Christine Zachek, who explains her research on Chagas disease, a tropical parasitic illness, plus her upcoming research project in Brazil. We also talk to Professor of Medicine Dr. Peter Chin-Hong about his research into the detection and treatment of infectious diseases caused by the Zika virus, yellow fever, and dengue, how a continually cu...

In this episode we talk with medical student Ogonna Nnamani about spiral learning and retiring Associate Dean Dr. Susan Masters about the innovations that inspired the Bridges curriculum at UCSF. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

Our first episode features an interview with new Associate Dean for Curriculum John Davis, MD, PhD, as well as a general introduction to our podcast series.    Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.