Lisa Schoonerman is the director of Online Education at CTSI.
How long have you worked at UCSF?
It will be 3 years in April!
What do you do at UCSF and how is it connected to the UCSF mission?
I have program management responsibilities for CTSI’s Online Education program, where we develop and deliver online and blended courses in basic clinical and translational research methods. Our activities are directly aligned with CTSI’s mission to provide training to support clinical and translational research for learners at all levels, in a variety of settings, including distance learning.
I’m also assisting with activities associated with preparing the new CTSA grant submission, for which the process has ranged from hosting meetings at each campus to gather feedback and new ideas, to coordinating the support of demonstration projects to help us identify gaps in infrastructure as well as new needs as we frame how to best support a more efficient approach to clinical research through leveraging electronic and digital methods.
And, I have program management responsibilities for the Center for Healthcare Value team, which is tasked with addressing the unsustainable costs of healthcare in the U.S., through 3 main areas of focus: Delivery Systems, Training, and Research & Policy. Probably the most well-known CHV initiative thus far is the Caring Wisely initiative from the Delivery Systems team. We’ve just launched our third Caring Wisely campaign, which begins with an Ideas Contest (you have until Feb 22 to submit your ideas!) to source great ideas from the front-lines of clinical care for ways to reduce waste and lower health care costs while maintaining or improving health.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your job?
The most challenging and rewarding parts of my job are really one in the same – I love working at UCSF because of the huge impact of healthcare on each of us as individuals, and on society as a whole. I love the challenge of finding ways to support, through training or improved infrastructure, the big questions that UCSF researchers ask and tackle every day.
What are some things that people may not know about the work you do?
The Online Education team has been doing a lot of development work and is poised to add several new products to the foundational Designing Clinical Research and Responsible Conduct of Research courses – keep an eye out for Writing Clinical Research Reports, Translating Evidence into Practice, and Introduction to Clinical Trials! There’s a course about mentorship in the works, too. We’re really excited to have these new additions in our lineup!
If you chose another career path outside UCSF what would it be?
Before coming to UCSF, I spent several years in the legal publishing arena, during which time I developed a huge respect for and interest in data / information, and the technology and systems to support and leverage it. I would probably find a way to connect that love of information with an industry that has a social mission aligned with my values.
What's something that your colleagues or members of the UCSF community might be surprised to know about you?
When I am able, I like to volunteer. One of the toughest yet most rewarding programs I’ve had the honor to work with is a national program called CASA (court appointed special advocate), as a child advocate. Basically it’s working with kids who have been placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect, and advocating on their behalf in court.
What are your favorite things to do with your free time?
My wife Kelly has just moved here from London, so recently I’ve had a great time rediscovering the many amazing things the Bay Area has to offer. We’ve been enjoying everything from hiking trails, to favorite wineries, to beaches…and restaurants…and the list goes on…
CTSI Spotlight is part of an ongoing series that offers an opportunity for faculty and staff to learn more about the wide range of people who make CTSI's work possible. See all featured faculty and staff.