There are various resources available across the department to support leadership development for faculty and trainees at all levels. From programs particularly designed to support our residents and fellows, single-session leadership booster programs, and more intensive programs focused on emerging leaders and individualized coaching, the department of medicine offers a bevy of options to help our people maximize their impact at scale.
Trainee Resources
Health Systems and Leadership (HSL) Area of Distinction
HSL is a specific track designed for residents and fellows at UCSF who are interested in becoming both outstanding physicians as well as future leaders and innovators. HSL supports a wide range of career goals — from those aspiring to clinical and educational leadership roles, as well as those planning to pursue careers in healthcare policy, systems improvement, innovation, or entrepreneurship in healthcare.
Learn more
Contact:
Josue Zapata MD, MBA
Director, Health Systems and Leadership Area of Distinction
[email protected]
Faculty Resources
UCSF DOM Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) Program
DOM LEAD is a week-long high-intensity leadership development program designed for early to mid-career emerging leaders seeking structured training in leadership skills not commonly gleaned through clinical work alone. DOM LEAD is a highly practical, skills-based, curriculum that leverages real clinical scenarios and operational data. Participants learn essential leadership tools—including emotional intelligence, conflict management, empowering teams, change management strategies, and meeting design—while also gaining literacy in clinical operations, resource stewardship, and workflow optimization. Participants also develop individualized leadership roadmaps and continue their learning through executive coaching for a year after completing the course.
Next cohort: September 15-18, 2026
Learn more and register here: (pending)
Contact:
Josue Zapata MD, MBA
Director, Health Systems and Leadership Area of Distinction
[email protected]
DOM Mini-LEAD Program
Designed as introductory leadership development for all faculty, the Mini-LEAD Program offers faculty the opportunity to build skills in leadership while also building community within the department in a low-stakes context. Mini-LEAD sessions are led by DOM facilitators, interactive and discussion-based, and anchored around short readings, podcasts, and other content related to leadership development. These sessions occur quarterly, are held in-person and over dinner, and are totally free. Faculty can drop in to just one that is of interest or can attend all sessions.
Next session: Emotional Intelligence and Leadership, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM
Learn more and register here: (pending)
Contact:
Armond Esmaili, MD
Director of DOM Mini-Lead
[email protected]