Site of the Year Awards 2025

Each of the five UCSF School of Pharmacy Experiential Education regions has one site recognized as providing exceptional learning environments for UCSF pharmacy students.

Fresno: VA Central California Healthcare System

The site consistently fosters a rich, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired. Interprofessional collaboration is at the core of their culture, with pharmacists, residents, and attendings across all departments actively engaging students in meaningful clinical actvities. Learners are encouraged to ask questions, contribute to discussions, and lead topic presentations and journal clubs. Feedback is not only welcomed but used to continuously enhance the student experience. What truly sets this site apart is its dedication to teaching beyond the curriculum — sharing clinical pearls and professional insights that leave a lasting impact on students’ future careers. The sense of community, mutual support among learners, and genuine enthusiasm from staﬀ make this site an exceptional training ground and a model for experiential excellence.

Greater Sacramento: UC Davis Health Infectious Disease and Antimicrobial Stewardship

The site is characterized by a well-structured and supportive learning environment, where students were clearly informed about their roles and responsibilities from day one. With passionate and knowledgeable preceptors, students gained valuable insights into the world of infectious diseases.

Students were eﬀectively integrated into both pharmacy and medical teams. Preceptors fostered a welcoming, safe space where students felt comfortable voicing concerns and asking questions. Each learner came away from the rotation gaining immense knowledge and practical skills. The dedication and commitment of the preceptors to teaching and mentoring, along with the overall positive and nurturing environment, made this rotation a highly rewarding experience. It left students feeling conﬁdent, motivated, and grateful for the opportunity to learn from such an outstanding team.

North Bay: Sutter Santa Rosa Medical Center

The site's exceptional learning environment is characterized by a supportive and friendly atmosphere. All staﬀ members are welcoming, eager to teach, and promote a sense of community, which signiﬁcantly enhances the overall experience for student pharmacists. The site provides all necessary resources for student success, including double computer monitors for eﬃcient work, extensive pharmacy resources for drug information, and open communication channels with other health care professionals without any judgment. This fosters a collaborative and enriching learning environment where students feel acknowledged and supported. Additionally, the availability of interprofessional opportunities with Family Medicine residents in the hospital as well as nurses in the infusion and ambulatory care environments is notable. Overall, students have highly appreciated their time at Sutter Medical Center, highlighting the encouragement to learn and the comprehensive support provided by the staﬀ.

San Francisco Bay Area: San Francisco Kaiser Permanente

This site is praised for its supportive, collaborative, and patient-centered learning environment. Preceptors and staﬀ are approachable and eager to teach, fostering a space where questions are encouraged and consistent feedback is provided. The high patient volume oﬀers ample opportunities for students to practice counseling, problem-solving, and using drug information resources, ensuring a positive and enriching experience. Preceptors are commended for their phenomenal support and expertise precepting, tailoring the experience to each student’s goals and learning styles and fostering a growth-oriented environment. The collaborative approach, hosting multiple students simultaneously, enhances the learning experience through peer support. The team’s positivity and dedication have signiﬁcantly impacted students, fostering their passion for pharmacy and clinical skills growth.

Southern California: UCLA Ronald Reagan

The site is recognized for its exceptional commitment to providing a highly enriching learning environment. The diverse patient population exposes students to a wide range of disease states, preparing them to apply their didactic curriculum effectively and challenging them to learn more about unfamiliar conditions and therapies. Each rotation fosters critical thinking and research skills essential for professional development. UCLA’s dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration is evident in the supportive and inclusive atmosphere where students work alongside other providers as valued team members. The preceptors at UCLA offer exceptional clinical enrichment and are passionate about teaching, engaging with students about career goals, and fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Their dedication to teaching and approachability creates an atmosphere that encourages students to explore and expand their knowledge base.