Year 4. June 23.
[INTRO]
DoM Leads in Serving Needs of LGBTQ+ Populations
June is Pride Month, a time to reflect on the struggles, triumphs and contributions of LGBTQ+ populations. UCLA is a leading institution in research, education and patient care that serves these communities. Here in the DoM, for instance, we offer the world’s first healthcare fellowship aimed specifically at training physicians to care for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, as well as a premiere faculty development program that provides LGBTQ+ focused resources to early-career and mid-career faculty. Additionally, many of our providers are LGBTQ+ Champions who have specialized training in caring for LGBTQ+ populations, and we are nationally recognized for excellence in gender affirming care.
Our LEADERShip in this regard aligns with our vision to advance health for all.
“Our health system has expanded into such a large geographic footprint that serves upwards of tens of millions of people, and we know that LGBTQ+ people are probably around 9 to 10% of that population,” Emery H. Chang, MD, UCLA Health LGBTQ+ medical director and co-director of LGBTQ+ education at DGSOM, said. Furthermore, other medical and nursing schools still lag behind on teaching future clinicians about LGBTQ+ issues in a comprehensive way, he added.
“Some of our programs are trying to make up for lost time and build capacity for care in a way that is affirming, welcoming and reduces the barrier of provider knowledge,” Dr. Chang said. “We're training some of the best graduates and faculty in the world to take care of LGBTQ+ people, specifically.”
All of our clinical and educational programs for serving LGBTQ+ patients are gearing up to grow. The LGBTQ+ fellowship for trainees recently added a second position, and as I shared in a recent newsletter, applications for the second year of the DoM Faculty Development Program for Physicians Caring for LGBTQ+ Populations have come from across all corners of medicine. The program hopes to build out on its two existing tracks to include one for sub-specialists.
“That way, if someone is a cardiologist, palliative care physician or pediatric neurologist, for instance, they could enter this track and pick up the skills that would be needed for each of their individual specialties,” Dr. Chang said. “That will require a lot of curriculum development and thought into the needs of these specialties in terms of LGBTQ+ health care.”
I look forward to these and other initiatives that help us advance healthcare for all of our LBGTQ+ patients! I encourage all of you to join our Grand Rounds on Thursday, June 26 to hear from Dr. Chang and our two 2024-2025 LGBTQ+ health care fellows — Ethan R. Peyton, MD and Delaney Marguerite W. Rawson, MD, MPH — on what they have learned about serving the LGBTQ+ community. Happy Pride to all!
Fang-Yu Debby Liu Named to Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 40 Under Forty List
Please join me in applauding Fang-Yu Debby Liu, MD, a primary care practitioner and infectious diseases specialist at UCLA Health Westlake Village Triunfo Primary & Specialty Care, on being named to the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under Forty List for 2025. This award recognizes professionals 39 and under for their contributions to their industries and the Conejo Valley.
Dr. Liu was honored to receive the award. It also came as a bit of a surprise to her, as she joined the clinic just last year after relocating from New England with her husband.
“But what we’ve found here is an idyllic community and a real sense of belonging,” Dr. Liu said. “It’s been an honor to serve patients in the area, and it has been particularly fun to learn about the community through conversations with these people who are my neighbors.”
For Dr. Liu, the best part about working at UCLA Westlake Village is the chance to be part of the health system’s push to bring specialists and resources to the area. She looks forward to starting a travel clinic in the near future.
“Patients routinely tell us they’re glad we’re here, and I’m glad to be here!” Dr. Liu said. “Additionally, the UCLA Westlake Village office is the friendliest and most collegial work environment I’ve ever been a part of.”
Dr. Liu is grateful to the Conejo Valley Chamber for the honor and to all of her colleagues and co-workers for helping her get started. She is also thankful to her family for all of their love and support.
Congratulations, Debby! We are proud of you and feel fortunate to have you in the DoM.
DoM LEADERS Recognized for Excellence by Santa Monica Board of Advisors
Next in our celebration of clinical excellence are a slate of staff and faculty recognitions by the Santa Monica Medical Center Board of Advisors. These individuals received awards for outstanding patient care, leadership and commitment to our missions. We are proud to have them among our colleagues!
Shannon R. Bell, DO
Palliative Care, Division of Medicine
Wellness Warrior Award
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
When I received the award, I felt proud and supported. It is very important to me to identify areas of need within our group and to attempt to improve our overall wellbeing and the endurance to do this job. Getting recognized for the hard work is truly a cherry on top and it’s really appreciated. It’s also really nice to feel like the work is having an impact.
What do you love most about your job?
I have a few favorite things about my job. First, the group I get to work with truly feels like the cream of the crop as the most caring and dedicated individuals that empathize with other humans in a beautiful way. Second, my job holds so much meaning for me — walking through challenging journeys with patients and their families, seeing their bravery and having the privilege to support them. It feels like that’s what life is really about. And third, I feel like I make a difference and that feels really good.
Allen S. Chen, MD, MPH
Interventional Physiatry
Inspirational Physician Award
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
When the initial email was received, I actually thought it was another spam/phishing test from the UCLA IT department, so I made sure not to click on anything and immediately deleted it. Then, once someone followed up again, I actually thought they had the wrong person, as I’ve often received emails for different Dr. Chens. Now that I’ve realized this was neither a phishing test or the wrong person, I’m humbled and grateful for this recognition. With our home burning down in the January 7th Palisades fire, the mess of relocating several times, and dealing with the full-time job of navigating FEMA, insurance, mortgages, architects, and builders, 2025 has been a tough year. This award is an honor and means a lot during this otherwise difficult period.
What do you love most about your job?
As an interventional spine physician, I love connecting with and helping patients during a difficult time in their lives. Back pain, neck pain, and radicular pain can be very scary and impacts all aspects of life – work, school, sports, hobbies, and travel. To be able to reassure patients, explain the natural course, and hopefully provide some relief through minimally invasive spine procedures remains extremely rewarding, even after more than 15 years in practice. In addition, training residents and fellows while helping them move into their careers and the next stage of their lives gives me significant joy and fulfillment.
Linda Kaye Czypinski, MD
Hospital Medicine
Physician Leadership
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
It was a wonderful surprise! I felt very honored and grateful to receive this award. The recognition for excellence in my leadership role is incredibly humbling and uplifting. I was also thrilled to be in the company of my colleague and mentor, Dr. Neveen El-Farra.
What do you love most about your job?
The people I work with! My colleagues are inspiring, hard-working, and dedicated. They motivate me to continue to want to strive for excellence, take on new challenges, and overcome obstacles for the betterment of our section, department, and health system, all while providing outstanding, high-quality care for our patients.
Neveen S. El-Farra, MD
Hospital Medicine
Physician Leadership Excellence Award
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
I was surprised when I got the email as this award was so unexpected. I had the opportunity to attend the UCLA Santa Monica Board of Advisors Award Ceremony last year and witness with immense joy several of my faculty receive awards- I never thought I would be a recipient!
What do you love most about your job?
It is truly a privilege to work in one of the most amazing healthcare institutions in the world and serve our patients and their families, while remembering always to lead with humanity, empathy, kindness, and compassion. The opportunity to work with amazing, world-renown faculty and teach the next generation of physician leaders the art and science of medicine is one of the most wonderful gifts that I have been given. It is an incredible honor to be a faculty member in the Department of Medicine at UCLA Health.
Nathaniel E. Meyer, MD
Hospital Medicine
Exemplary Patient Experience Award
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive such an award. Patient experience is foundational to the exceptional care that we aspire to deliver at UCLA. I am consistently inspired by the compassion, empathy, and dedication of my colleagues.
What do you love most about your job?
The community. Every member of the care team - including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied healthcare professionals, and administration – is genuinely dedicated to doing the right thing. I love working with such incredibly brilliant, passionate, and dedicated individuals. I feel continually challenged to learn and grow and inspired to do better for our patients.
Cecilia Pimentel, MSN, RN-BC, FNP-BC
Nursing UCLA Santa Monica, Pediatrics
Community Impact Award
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
It was an honor to receive this award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors. I was very excited to be selected as I know that there are many great people that I work with.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the people I get to work with to bring the best care for our patients and families; I am always learning something new from them and know that I can count on their support. I appreciate the support I have from management to continue my passion to volunteer.
David B. Reuben, MD
Geriatrics
Inspirational Physician Award
What was your reaction to receiving your award from the Santa Monica Board of Advisors?
I was stunned. The award was unexpected and is more of a testimony to the interdisciplinary team of professionals who have made Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center such a terrific hospital.
What do you love most about your job?
Everything. All aspects are intellectually stimulating and meaningful. Plus, I get to work with great people. Who could ask for anything more?
I would also like to recognize nutrition division staff member Monica Tally, who received the Shining Star Award.
Congratulations to all and thank you for your outstanding work!
DoM Doctors’ Excellence Recognized with Exceptional Physicians Awards
Every year, the UCLA Health system and DGSOM call upon faculty, staff and patients to nominate physicians that they believe demonstrate our values — compassion, respect, excellence, discovery, integrity and teamwork — to receive Exceptional Physicians Awards. I’m proud to introduce you to this year’s three winners: Mary E. Sehl, MD, Brian A. DiCarlo, MD, and Sun M. Yoo, MD, MPH.
Mary E. Sehl, MD
Dr. Sehl is a hematologist-oncologist based at the Bowyer Oncology Center in Westwood. She has been part of the DoM since her residency in internal medicine at the VA-GLA. Dr. Sehl felt honored to be recognized with the Exceptional Physicians Award by those she described as her “exceptionally wonderful colleagues.”
“I love working in the strong collaborative environment of UCLA, where everyone works together as a team to improve the care of patients,” Dr. Sehl said. She added that she feels strongly supported within the department.
“For any challenging clinical scenario I encounter or research question I ask, someone will have an idea on how to approach it,” she said.
Brian A. DiCarlo, MD
Dr. DiCarlo is a hematologist-oncologist who practices at the UCLA San Luis Obispo Cancer Center and has served the Central Coast community for more than a decade. He was humbled to receive his award and is grateful to work alongside colleagues who are leaders in their fields but remain grounded in what matters most — caring for the patient in front of them.
“That combination of brilliance and compassion creates a truly special environment,” Dr. DiCarlo said. He is also thankful for the perspective that his work affords him.
“What I love most about my job is how much I continue to learn from my patients every day,” he said. “Taking care of individuals with cancer is both life-affirming and deeply inspiring. Their strength, vulnerability, and trust serve as a constant reminder of why this work matters.”
Sun M. Yoo, MD, MPH
Dr. Yoo is an extensivist physician who practices in Westwood and Santa Monica and one of our prolific LEADERS in the DoM. She serves as section chief of palliative and extensivist services and medical director of internal medicine suites. She also orchestrates all of our wellness initiatives as the department’s chief wellness officer.
“I was surprised and honored to receive an Exceptional Physician Award,” Dr. Yoo said. “Being a physician is a privilege I don’t take for granted.”
Dr. Yoo is passionate about being there for her patients and families during some of the toughest moments of their lives, as well as partnering with them to plan treatments that fit into their lives. She also loves being surrounded by what she describes as “the most beautiful and compassionate colleagues that motivate me to do better.”
“They set the bar high,” Dr. Yoo said.
Endocrinology Division Gets Top Newsweek Ranking
Our programs consistently rank at the top of national lists for excellence in patient care. The UCLA Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes was recently ranked third on Newsweek’s 2025 Best Hospitals for Specialized Endocrine Care. Notably, we are positioned well above local and state competitors, a sign that that we are exceeding our goal of providing world-class care for our regional communities.
One key to the endocrinology division’s success is its placement of experts across a wide geographical area, according to clinical endocrinologist Stephanie Smooke Praw, MD.
“The UCLA Division of Endocrinology offers a broad and deep bench of 50-plus expert endocrinologists in 13 locations, which enables us to provide outstanding endocrine care close to where our patients live,” said Dr. Praw, who serves as a professor of medicine, interim Clinical Co-Chief, as well as fellowship program director and director of education for the division.
“We pride ourselves on our multi-disciplinary shared programs in endocrine surgery, neurosurgery, oncology and nuclear medicine that our division offers to patients for complex endocrine conditions as well as our ability to deliver expert complex diabetes care.”
The division also runs programs and clinical trials that give patients first access to cutting-edge treatments for diabetes, pituitary disease, thyroid conditions and more.
“Our strength in translational science, conduct of clinical trials, and delivery of state-of-the-art complex multidisciplinary endocrine care sets us apart,” Interim Division Chief Anthony P. Heaney, MD, PhD, said.
When the division’s leaders reflect on what makes them proud, its people come to mind.
“We are most proud of our physician and science faculty,” Drs. Praw and Heaney said. “Their parallel commitment to patient care and driving discoveries for future generations as well as their collective commitment to educating the next generation of endocrinologists is inspiring.”
MI Performance Achievement Award
I am thrilled to share that the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center has just received the 2025 American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) NCDR Chest Pain – Myocardial Infarction (CP-MI) Platinum Performance Achievement Award. This is the highest level of recognition granted by the ACC’s NCDR CP-MI Registry, which tracks the outcomes of patients who present with chest pain related to myocardial infarction at health systems that follow American Heart Association and ACC care guidelines. This award reinforces the outstanding patient care we provide, and I could not be prouder of our hospitalists, cardiologists and all who are involved in the care of patients who present with chest pain.
Dale
P.S.
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