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Community Academic Research Engagement (CARE) Committee Members

  • Chair: Rena Pasick, DrPH
    Adjunct Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Associate Director, Education and Outreach, Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCSF
    Trained as a health educator, Dr. Pasick has worked in population-based cancer control research for the past 15 years. Her past research included large-scale intervention trials designed to increase the use of breast and cervical cancer screening among ethnically diverse and underserved women. Her current research includes health communication for diverse communities; the assessment of survey research methods across cultures and languages; and the cultural appropriateness of health behavior theories.
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  • Shelley Adler, PhD
    Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Director of the Qualitative Method Core, Osher Center, UCSF
    Dr. Adler’s research focuses on the areas of ethnomedicine and integrative medicine, specifically ethnic and underrepresented minority experiences in women’s health (breast cancer, menopause); patient-physician communication; and, most recently, quality of life at end of life. She conducts qualitative, ethnographic and mixed-method research.
    Biosketch

  • Lynda Boyer-Chu, RN, MPH
    Health Coordinator, Gloria R. Davis Academy
    Trained as public health nurse, Ms. Boyer-Chu has worked for the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for the past 16 years. She has worked in many schools and in every neighborhood of the city creating programs that address teen pregnancy, violence prevention, substance-abuse education, suicide prevention, stress management, behavioral management, and nutrition/fitness.
    Biosketch

  • Patricia Erwin, MPH
    Program Manager, Newcomers Health Program, San Francisco Department of Public Health

  • Christie Kiefer, PhD
    Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology, History and Social Medicine, UCSF

  • Mary Nacionales, MPH
    Women’s Health Partnership Director, Community Health Partnership

  • Tung Nguyen, MD
    Associate Clinical Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, UCSF
    Dr. Nguyen’s research interests include Asian health care issues, hospitalist careers and education in general internal medicine. Additionally as an Investigator with the Comprehensive Minority Institution/ Cancer Center Partnership, a joint undertaking between the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center and SF State University, Dr. Nguyen’s work attempts to improve the effectiveness of UCSF activities specifically designed to address cancer disparities in underserved racial and ethnic minorities.
    Biosketch

  • Geraldine Olivia, MD, MPH
    Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Director, Family Health Outcomes Project, UCSF
    Dr. Oliva is a board-certified pediatrician who has had a broad background as a clinician, public health administrator and researcher. Among her many accomplishments, she has worked with the Children’s Hospital in Oakland CA, served as the Medical Director of the SF/Alameda Planned Parenthood, and served as Family Health (MCAH) Director and then Deputy Director for Community Public Health Services for the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
    Biosketch

  • Eliseo Perez-Stable, MD
    Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Co-Director, Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations, UCSF
    Dr. Pérez-Stable's research has focused on health and health care disparities by race and ethnicity in the areas of tobacco use and cessation, cancer prevention and aging. He has special expertise in development of risk factor reduction interventions for Latino populations.
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  • Howard Pinderhughes, PhD
    Chair, Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing
    Dr. Pinderhughes' research focuses on the race relations among youth, the causes and consequences of youth violence, the dynamics of adolescent relationship violence and the role of race and ethnicity in the production of unequal health out-comes. Dr. Pinderhughes is currently developing a conceptual framework to address the production of racial, class and gender health inequality.
    Biosketch

  • Margaret Rasmussen, MPH
    Program Coordinator, School of Dentistry, UCSF

  • Yvette Robles
    Executive Director, BMAGIC

  • Roberto Vargas
    Program Coordinator, Community Partnership Resource Center, UCSF
    Through the CPRC, Mr. Vargas works to build partnerships between UCSF and the communities of southeast San Francisco. He also serves as a lecturer and mentor, co-facilitating service-learning courses that engage UCSF learners in community projects. Prior to joining UCSF, he was the Director of the Real Alternatives Program Collaborative, a multi-service center for high-risk teens from San Francisco’s Bayview Hunter’s Point and Mission Districts.
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  • Catherine Waters, RN, PhD
    Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, UCSF
    The main aims of Professor Waters’ research are primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer via physical activity and nutrition. Her research focuses on populations including at-risk, underrepresented ethnic minority groups with a particular focus on African Americans. Additionally, she is the Program Director of the Advanced Community Health and International Nursing Program.
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  • Naomi Wortis, MD
    Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Co-Founder and Director, Community Partnership Resource Center, UCSF
    Dr Wortis’ research interests include community health work to address health disparities, civic engagement and community partnerships, and service learning as a modality for introducing trainees to the role of health professionals. Dr. Wortis is the recipient of the 2005 UCSF Chancellor’s Award for Public Service and a 2006 Hellman Family Award for Early Career Faculty.
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