UCSF Pharmacy Faculty, Students Honored for Innovation and Leadership

A pharmacist-run ambulatory care telehealth clinic, founded by Stephanie Hsia, PharmD, MAEd, BCPP, and Shirley Wong, PharmD, APh, has won the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award.  

The recognition highlights the clinic’s groundbreaking work to address hypertension, diabetes and mental health needs among African American and underserved populations. Hsia, a UCSF alumna (Class of ’15) and Department of Clinical Pharmacy faculty member, along with alumna Wong (Class of ’10), built the clinic to deliver holistic, accessible health care in partnership with UCSF Health.

The award from CSHP’s Health Care Reform Committee, which was presented at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Nov. 1 at the organization’s annual seminar, honors the clinic’s alignment with the “triple aim” of health care: enhancing quality, improving service, and managing costs. It recognizes innovative pharmacy practice models that prioritize patient-centered care and meaningful outcomes. The clinic’s impact has been profound: within the first year, it significantly narrowed the blood pressure control disparity for African American patients at UCSF, a disparity that has continued to shrink with ongoing efforts. 

Hsia shared an especially impactful story that illustrates the clinic’s value beyond medication management. She described her long-term work with a veteran who initially distrusted the health care system. After finding a treatment plan for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that allowed him, for the first time in decades, to sleep uninterrupted, he became one of Hsia’s most engaged patients. “His blood pressure and diabetes improved alongside his mental health,” she said. “He often tells me, ‘You’re one of the only people I trust.’” 

Central to the clinic’s success is its commitment to building relationships with patients who often face systemic barriers to care. Hsia noted, “Our patients see a lot of turnover among primary care providers, but we’re here every month for them. We often end up being the most consistent person in their care journey.” Hsia emphasizes the power of listening, explaining that the clinic spends months getting to know patients before encouraging medications. “I feel like that’s how everyone should receive health care,” Hsia said. 

The clinic’s efforts are supported by a robust team, including health care navigators Freddie Lopez, Ana Calderon, Rosalyn Cruz and Monique Morrell, who provide vital care coordination between visits. 

Transformative power of medication 

Reflecting on her path to pharmacy and her dedication to underserved communities, Hsia spoke of her personal journey, which began with seeing her brother’s struggles with schizophrenia. Witnessing the transformative power of medication solidified her career choice and fostered her empathy toward underserved populations. This commitment deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she connected with students advocating for health equity amid renewed discussions on racial justice. 

Through this award-winning clinic, Hsia not only advances care for vulnerable patients but also models holistic, relationship-centered practice for future pharmacists. “UCSF taught us to push the boundaries of pharmacy,” she said. “I aim to instill this mindset in my students, showing that we should look beyond assigned disease states to care for the whole person.” 

As Hsia reflects on the clinic’s evolution, now with Department of Clinical Pharmacy faculty member Crystal Zhao, PharmD as a new team member, she looks forward to continued innovation, potentially integrating patients from UCSF’s barbershop-based outreach for further community impact. The clinic exemplifies UCSF’s mission to pioneer transformative, equitable care — one patient relationship at a time. 

It gets better: Students honored for leadership 

Elizabeth Cheung and Valerie Htun, both Class of 2025 PharmD candidates, were honored for their contributions to CSHP and the pharmacy profession at the organization’s Nov. 1 seminar. 

Cheung receives Student Leadership Award 

Elizabeth Cheung, Class of 2025 PharmD candidate

Through her leadership roles within CSHP, Cheung has organized events on career exploration, networking, and advocacy, such as Match Panel, the PGY2 Residency Roundtable, and a pharmacy legislation infographic series.

“I find it important to promote pharmacy to students to bring awareness about the full scope of practice that comes with being a Doctor of Pharmacy, so they may take full advantage of it while building their career,” Cheung said. “In a similar vein, it’s equally important to promote pharmacy to the community, so they are aware of what we are able to provide them.” 

Valerie Htun, Class of 2025 PharmD candidate

Htun’s leadership positions have included lead intern at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, president of UCSF’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association, professional affairs chair of UCSF’s CSHP, and orientation director and lead tutoring coordinator at the school. Htun said these opportunities have taught her crucial skills and have fostered accountability, built resilience, and broadened her perspective on the ever-changing health care landscape. 

“[The award] reinforces my passion and strengthens my commitment to making a meaningful impact in practicing pharmacy,” Htun said. “This award marks my growth throughout my journey at UCSF. The person I was when I entered pharmacy school in 2022 is not the same person I am today, and I’m proud of that. I have changed in ways where I’ve grown exponentially, in building my strengths, addressing my weaknesses, and immersing myself in a community that will support me.” 

More 

From Haircuts to High Blood Pressure Management