Part of the joy of working in the Department of Medicine's Office of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence (DoM CEIE) is to foster opportunities for each of us to meet new DoM colleagues and share the work that we are doing to care for patients, teach, further science and advance the DoM strategic plan.

On January 15, nearly 140 people joined the hybrid DoM Health Equity Story Slam on January 15, 2026, where six colleagues shared reflections on their experiences as clinicians, researchers, and hospitalists through the lens of patient-centered care. Keith Norris, MD, PhD, executive vice chair for DoM CEIE, noted, “the hope of the story slam is to highlight the humanity and compassion of our faculty as they care for not disease, but for patients, families and communities.” An attendee shared, “this was an amazing session. I appreciate all the poignant stories and the speakers' willingness to share their stories of vulnerability and loss.”

 

Dr. Norris also noted that “this practice of reflection is modeled for trainees as an organic part of being a physician.” Internal medicine residents also benefit from DoM CEIE didactic sessions/ workshops throughout their three years. As part of their training, the DoM CEIE faculty have a chance to facilitate discussions on topics relevant to navigating an increasingly complex medical world and society with competing priorities that are too often misaligned. The goal is to make sure we provide everyone with tools and approaches that allow them to navigate challenging situations and uplift each other, their colleagues and their patients with equanimity and grace.

 

Faculty may also benefit from similar discussions held during on-boarding sessions and other meetings. At the recent DMPG Retreat, Daniel Kozman, MD, MPH, associate clinical professor of medicine and director of Health Equity Partnerships for the UCLA Department of Medicine, shared updates about DoM Clinically Leveraging Access for Safety-net Partners (CLASPs), a core initiative for advancing our DoM strategic plan’s Community Engagement and Investment pillar. Dr. Kozman works with safety-net organizations by positioning DoM faculty on site to expand access to primary and specialty care.

Dr. Kozman emphasized the mutual benefits, stating, “based on survey data, these opportunities positively impact the involved faculty members’ attitudes toward their own sense of work satisfaction as well as their self-reported likelihood of long-term retention.”

The work of our office also encompasses staff. Doc & Talk, a hybrid lunchtime program, features a documentary connected to a cultural heritage observance and then prompts attendees through questions to explore the documentary’s histories, challenges, and triumphs. One staff member noted the importance of “how we can be partners in advocating for others,” while another described “seeing the power of unity and resilience” as deeply moving. For another attendee, the message became a call to action: “Getting in ‘good trouble’ is necessary for change.”

The hybrid format is critical to building connections among administrative teams in different roles and locations. As perspectives are shared, participants leave the session with new insights and knowledge to advance the department’s vision of an inclusive culture.

Program Administrator of Staff Initiatives Patrick Frierson states, “our department’s success depends, in part, on how well we support our people, and ensuring that staff know they are valued is central to that goal.”

 

Across our work, we hope to spark reflection and inspire action, reminding each other to take those extra steps in caring for our patients and each other. Health Equity Story Slam 2027 will be here before you know it. We invite you to consider sharing your reflections and stories of engagement as we work together to advance health for all.

Building Community through Collective Art

Last fall, the UCLA Department of Medicine hosted the inaugural 2025 DoM for LA summit to bring representatives of community organizations together with faculty, staff, and trainees. While the event has passed, the work of building and sustaining relationships is ongoing in the DoM Office of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence and the Strategic Plan Community Engagement and Investment Pillar sub-committee. Watch the 2025 DoM for LA Summit highlight reel to learn more about the event. 

During the summit’s lunch reception, attendees participated in an interactive art activity designed to bring the summit’s theme "Rooted in LA: Growing Together in Community" to life. DoM staff member and artist, Chris Cabunag, created a large mural featuring a hand‑painted tree as the central image, symbolizing shared roots and collective growth. Summit participants added their own personalized “leaves” to the branches, each representing the communities, groups, and populations they serve.

Mural painting is ongoing. At the 8th Annual Health Services Research Symposium which brings together health service researchers in honor of the leadership, inspiration, and scholarship of Martin F. Shapiro, MD, PhD, MPH, attendees were invited to represent their research and the communities they engage through painting. And they embraced the challenge! They added words to represent the DoM community creating a tapestry of descriptions such as First Gen, UCLA Primary Care Track, Dignity Health, LACDHS, Clinical Education, DoM Administration, and more. Others painted images of symbols, trees, and people lifted up by a box now able to pick fruit. Painted words also inspire - True heroes, research participants; resilience, flow, spirit, family; mental health, salud mental; rooted in community; and lead with integrity.

Alejandra Casillas, MD, MSHS, associate vice chair of community impact, noted, “the goal is to engage community members and DoM faculty, staff and trainees in art that reflects the range of our work, the people we serve, and the connections we share. This transforms a cloth into a vibrant, collaborative tapestry of engagement.” Since the summit, other DoM communities such as RCMAR CHIME and attendees at the 2026 Women In Medicine Networking Conference have added to the project. Dr. Casillas continued, “we always look forward to meeting the DoM community.” Reach out with any suggestions for ongoing engagement. 

As we work to bring each of us closer together as a DoM family - with all the strengths and challenges, joy and pain that come with family - let us not forget the wise words of the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden on how to carry ourselves. "Talent is God given, be humble. Fame is man given, be grateful. Conceit is self given, be careful."

 

The DoM Office of Community Engagement and Inclusive Excellence is excited to launch the inaugural Staff Book Club, a new opportunity for staff members to connect through shared reading and discussion. This spring, participants will explore The Four Pivots by Dr. Shawn Ginwright, which offers readers strategies to strengthen relationships, spark creativity, and foster a more connected, sustainable workplace.

Through guided conversation, staff will exchange perspectives and consider how the book’s themes connect to their roles across the UCLA Department of Medicine. Bringing colleagues together from across the DoM community, the book club offers a space to reflect on new ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue. No reading is required for the first meeting, and low- to no-cost options for accessing the book, as well as brief biweekly summaries, will be shared to help make participation accessible for everyone. All staff are warmly invited to join this new learning community!

Doc & Talk Series Celebrates Black History, Women's History, and Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage. 

Doc & Talk is a recurring staff series that showcases short documentaries aligned with cultural heritage observances. These powerful stories invite us to reflect, share, and connect with our mission of inclusive excellence. Each screening is followed by a guided discussion on how each film informs our work, values, and community. These events are also posted to the DoM Community Calendar!

Women in Medicine Conference Brings Physicians Together for Learning and Connection

On March 7, 2026, Southern California Chapters I and II of the American College of Physicians hosted the 2nd Women in Medicine Networking Conference at the Carson Event Center, bringing physicians and trainees together for a day of professional development, mentorship, and community building.

The conference opened with a keynote on the latest developments in women’s health delivered by Courtney Martin, DO, MHA, FACOG, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and nationally recognized leader in maternal health, quality improvement, and patient safety. Additional sessions addressed key topics impacting women in medicine and academic leadership. Sharon Moayeri, MD, MPH, MS, FACOG, led a discussion on family building and career planning. Mehrnaz M. Hadian, MD, JD, MScCR, ESQ, guided participants through practical strategies for negotiation in academic and clinical settings, while Corrine Bendersky, PhD, shared insights on navigating and managing workplace conflict.

A special thank you to the UCLA planning committee, including Alice Kuo, MD; Rejan McCaskill, MD, FACP; Monica Nagata; Katie Hu, MD; Rachel Brook, MD, FACP; and Moira Desphy, MPH. Finally, thank you to ACP Regions I and II for sponsoring the event and helping make the conference possible. Their support continues to create opportunities that uplift, connect, and empower women across the medical community.

Join in a celebration of Black history as you learn about a Bruin’s journey that began in the 1930s and evolved into A legacy of perseverance at UCLA.

Read about a new web portal and task force breaking down generational silos as UCLA expands its commitment to becoming a more ‘age-friendly’ campus.

Learn more about storytelling and shifts from masculine stereotypes as Gen Z and Gen Alpha want to see caring, affectionate dads and vulnerable men in movies and TV.

Check out this heartfelt story in UCLA Newsroom: At home in two worlds, father and daughter are a living connection between UCLA and Homeboy Industries.

 

 

 

 

Zhang H, Lee JS, Kim S, Kumar A, Wang Y, Imoisili O, Luo F, Essien UR. Medical Costs and Productivity Losses of Atrial Fibrillation Among US Privately Insured Employees. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Feb 2;9(2):e2559227. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.59227. PMID: 41678189; PMCID: PMC12902891.

Agrawal N, Norris KC. When Words Disappear-How Banning Words Imperils Health Care Communication. JAMA. 2026 Jan 6;335(1):17-18. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.21466. PMID: 41369925.

Linares M, Rodriguez JA, Wisk LE, Bell DS, Brown A, Casillas A. Digital health literacy as mediator between language preference and telehealth use among Latinos in the United States. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2026 Jan 13:ocaf232. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocaf232. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41528308.

Bright TJ, Norris KC. Artificial Intelligence and Health Equity. Annu Rev Med. 2026 Jan;77(1):525-536. doi: 10.1146/annurev-med-043024-125309. Epub 2025 Oct 20. PMID: 41115175.

Norris KC, Thorpe RJ Jr,. Active Bodies, Healthier Arteries: Physical Activity and Aortic Stiffness in Black Americans. Am J Hypertens. 2025 Dec 19:hpaf244. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpaf244. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41423736.

Wyatt TR, Konopasky A, Casillas A, Nguyen M, McClain-Gierach S, Blalock AE. "I am Still the Same Person That Left": Time, Tension, and Identity in Low-Income US Medical Students. Teach Learn Med. 2025 Dec 16:1-11. doi: 10.1080/10401334.2025.2600327. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41399311.

D'Oro A, D'Costa Z, Tang JJ, Min S, Jackson LR 2nd, Essien UR. Racial and ethnic disparities in the management of risk factors in individuals with atrial fibrillation: A narrative review. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2025 Nov 28;25:101361. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpc.2025.101361. PMID: 41451116; PMCID: PMC12731936.

Oyeyemi DM, Ikesu R, Saliba D, Walling AM, Essien UR, Norris KC, Klomhaus A, Xu H, Gotanda H, Tsugawa Y. End-of-Life Care for Older Adults With Dementia by Race and Ethnicity and Physicians' Role. JAMA Health Forum. 2025 Nov 7;6(11):e254235. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.4235. PMID: 41236764; PMCID: PMC12619101.

Shannon EM, Chen L, Yuan A, Chary A, Gabrielian S, Eisenman DP, Washington DL. Extreme Heat, Social Factors, and Mortality Among California Veterans With Cardiometabolic Disease. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Nov 3;8(11):e2545524. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.45524. PMID: 41288973; PMCID: PMC12648351.

We’re excited to share updates from all divisions in the UCLA Department of Medicine! Connect with us to feature your news and highlights in the next edition of our quarterly newsletter.

We’re also calling for DoM Community Spotlights! Help us showcase DoM members who are addressing health disparities and advancing health on our social media accounts. If you or someone you know could be highlighted, email us.

Don’t forget to visit our website and follow us on Instagram to stay updated!