Year 4. July 21.
[INTRO]
DoM Faculty and Staff Engage with SLO Community
The DoM’s commitment to our community engagement mission was on full display this summer in San Luis Obispo. First, around 25 of our physicians and staff from UCLA Hematology Oncology San Luis Obispo joined the Tigers Fight Cancer Adventure Run on May 5, an event held by SLO nonprofit Tigers Fight Cancer — an organization created by oncology infusion nurse Michelle Oetman, RN, that aims to help San Luis Obispo High School students’ families who have been affected by cancer.
Michelle started Tigers Fight Cancer in 2022 with her daughters Holland and Emerson after one of their friends was diagnosed with leukemia. The organization is both a high school club and a nonprofit, one that gives SLOHS students the chance to volunteer while also decreasing the burden of cancer treatment.
“My motivation is seeing a transformation in the high school kids go from being somewhat naturally self-centered to focusing on others and then understanding that they themselves can make a difference by seeing it with their own eyes,” Michelle said. “They are able to be a part of something from start to finish with all their meetings, planning, and hours of work throughout the school year, to being physically present when the financial grant is presented to the recipient family.”
Michelle’s other motivation is, of course, the families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
“Our mission is to not only help decrease the financial burden they may be going through, but to also create a relationship where they feel supported and loved,” she said.
This is the second year for the Tigers Fight Cancer Adventure Run. Already it has grown quite a bit: Last year saw around XXX participants, while this year had around 240. They raised $10,000 for the 2025 recipient.
“The dedication of the San Luis Obispo High School Cancer Club, the Tigers Fight Cancer board, and all the volunteers from the community made the event a success,” Corina Guzman, practice manager at UCLA Hematology Oncology San Luis Obispo, said. She added that it was important for the clinic team to show up for Michelle.
“Supporting our colleague, her nonprofit, and those whose lives it touches it not just meaningful — it’s deeply impactful,” Corina said. “It’s a great feeling to see such a great turnout!”
Later that month, on May 21, UCLA Hematology Oncology San Luis Obispo came out to meet and greet with local leaders and entrepreneurs at the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. The goal was to raise awareness of our clinics’ presence in the community, including the newly opened UCLA Health Primary and Specialty Care office in SLO and the forthcoming UCLA Health Atascadero Cancer Center.
“The expo was a great opportunity to connect with so many local businesses and to meet with members of the community. We were excited to share the news about our clinic’s expansion an remind everyone that we’re here to support the health and wellness of our community,” Melanie E. Weeks, interim practice manager at UCLA Health San Luis Obispo Hematology Oncology, said. “Events like this help us strengthen relationships, build awareness, and reaffirm our commitment to being a trusted healthcare partner in San Luis Obispo.”
Enjoy the photos from the Tigers Fight Cancer Adventure Run and the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Business Expo below!
Tigers Fight Cancer Adventure Run
From left to right (Top row): Rebekah Lovering RN, Linda Braddy- Argano MSW, LCSW, Erika Clark RN, Gerard Daulman, Julie Monser, Carlee Wiseman, Brittany Orkney RN, Dr. Brian Dicarlo. From left to right (bottom row): Mandy Serrano, Melissa Ferra RN, Michelle Oetman RN, Michele Adams RN, Dr. Deneen Dicarlo.
Photo credit: Corina Guzman
San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Photo credit: Melanie Weeks
DoM Brings World-Class Healthcare to San Luis Obispo Region
The San Luis Obispo region is the site of two of this year’s most important developments in our pursuit to bring more patients the world-class care that we provide in the DoM.
The first major milestone was the May 19th opening of UCLA Health Primary & Specialty Care in San Luis Obispo, an 18,000-square foot facility that houses primary care, rheumatology, endocrinology and dermatology services. There are plans to add on-site X-ray imaging as well and has already made space for cardiology.
“The response from the community has been incredibly positive — not just from patients, but also from local physicians and partners who have welcomed us with open arms,” Lariza Johnson, MPA, regional director of operations for UCLA Health, said.
Photo credit: Charles David Peloso
The second is the forthcoming launch of UCLA Health Atascadero Cancer Care, which is slated to open July 28 at 1930 Camino Real in Atascadero. The new clinic stands to dramatically improve the quality of life for local UCLA patients with cancer. It is also our 20th cancer center in California!
Photo Credit: Charles David Peloso
“Many of our San Luis Obispo patients travel a long distance from the north for treatment,” Joni E. Boucher, clinical director of hematology and oncology for UCLA Heath, said. “Opening a clinic in Atascadero will decrease these cancer patient’s travel time to obtain treatment.”
The cancer center will be our first clinic in Atascadero, a city in San Luis Obispo County that is home to about 30,000 people. It will provide a thorough range of services — including hematology and medical oncology, chemotherapy, and precision therapies — and will leverage community partners like Adventist Health Twin Cities Hospital for surgery and radiation treatments. Patients will be able to access clinical trials being conducted by UCLA as well as psychosocial support services from the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology. With 7,000 square feet of space, it can accommodate up to 200 patients per week.
These new clinics are the latest examples of our commitment to serving communities in the San Luis Obispo region. Our first cancer center there opened in 2019, and we are excited for the opportunity to grow our services in the area.
Check out this article in The Tribune that features DoM faculty Brian DiCarlo, MD and Joseph M. Cleveland, MD, who will be the new center’s leading oncologists. Please join me in celebrating them, Joni and all of our faculty and staff in San Luis Obispo for their progress on our mission to advance health for all!
In Conversation With...Shahram Shafi, MD
In February the DoM announced the appointment of Shahram Shafi, MD — who also goes by Sean — as the regional ambulatory medical director for the Central Coast and associate clinical chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research (GIMHSR). Dr. Shafi is a fantastic LEADER who is already having a major impact on our Central Coast medical centers and GIMHSR. Learn more about him and his vision for the future in this special Q&A!
What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
My inspiration to pursue a career in medicine stems from a deep-rooted desire to help others, particularly within diverse and underserved communities. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of using science and compassion together to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Coming from a family with a history of physicians, I grew up surrounded by examples of dedication to patient care and service. Those early influences showed me the profound impact that a physician can have — not just in treating illness, but in building trust and uplifting entire communities. For me, medicine is more than a career; it’s a long-term life goal and a calling to serve with purpose, empathy, and integrity.
What challenges are arising in ambulatory care as the business of medicine evolves?
One of the biggest challenges in ambulatory care today is the growing administrative burden. With increasing demands around electronic health records and quality metrics, providers are spending more time on paperwork and inbox and at times less time with patients. On top of that, there’s a growing shortage of physicians and clinical staff, especially in healthcare deserts and underserved areas. This makes it even harder to meet the needs of patients and puts more strain on already overworked teams.
What is your vision for addressing these challenges in your new role?
In my role as Regional Medical Director of the Central Coast, I see a real opportunity to tackle these challenges head-on by focusing on both innovation and practical support for our clinical teams. First, we’re implementing Nablus AI technology to help streamline documentation and reduce time spent on notes. This should ease the burden on providers and give them more face-to-face time with patients in person. I’m also working closely with clinic leaders to coach and reinforce best practices around inbox management—things like message triage and team-based workflows.
What excites you most about serving the Central Coast community?
What excites me most about working with the Central Coast community is the opportunity to continue expanding UCLA Health’s presence and impact in the region. The Central Coast is home to many individuals living in areas with limited access to healthcare, and being part of the effort to bring high-quality, accessible care to these underserved populations is incredibly meaningful to me.
What advice do you have for future leaders in medicine?
My advice for future leaders in medicine is to first find your purpose — the deeper reason that motivates and drives you every day. Medicine is challenging, and having a clear sense of why you’re here will help you stay grounded and focused through the tough moments.
At the same time, be open to innovation. Technologies like AI are transforming healthcare, and leaders who embrace these tools thoughtfully can improve efficiency, patient care, and provider well-being. Staying curious and adaptable is key.
Finally, never underestimate the power of a humble, listening bedside manner. Leadership isn’t just about making decisions —i t’s about truly hearing patients, colleagues, and communities. Cultivating empathy and openness builds trust and fosters collaboration, which are essential for lasting impact in healthcare.
Dale
P.S.
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