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SynapseNewspaper
The UCSF Student
synapse.ucsf.edu | Thursday, October 23, 2014 | Volume 59, Number 2
Diversity & Outreach Mental Health Matters Angela Castanieto Associate Editor
T he theme of Chancellor Sam Hawgood’s inspiring State of the University
address last month could not have been more timely for the debut of this column. During his speech Hawgood placed emphasis on the importance of making connections with the community, as well as on the necessity of increasing diversity at UCSF. This happens to be the focus of our Diversity and Outreach column, in which we highlight the impressive efforts that UCSF organizations are putting forth in both community and educational outreach,
and in promoting diversity on campus. In our inaugural article, which fittingly coincides with Diversity month, we feature dental students giving free health screenings in Oakland, as well as multiple Diversity Month celebrations including National Coming Out Day, several movie screenings, and a symposium on health disparities research. We also announce upcoming diversity and outreach-focused events to look forward to in the month to come.
DIVERSITY » PAGE 10
Chancellor, Deans, & Faculty Partner with Student Health in Stigma Reduction Campaign Student Health & Counseling Staff Report
Ias nUCSF, an academically rigorous setting such it is not uncommon to encounter
highly talented, focused, and dedicated students, staff, and faculty members. While this environment allows the institution to be identified as a leading health sciences university and facilitates the UCSF mission of advancing health worldwide™, the high-achieving atmosphere can contribute to challenges in managing one’s mental health. Advocacy for routine and preventative primary health care has continued to garner support, yet there still remains a considerable stigma around acknowledging mental health needs. One 4th year PhD student who wished to remain anonymous shared:
Courtesy of UCSF Student
Student Volunteers. Third-year dental student volunteers and their supervisors
at the 37th Annual Health Fair: Jessica Baisley, Ryan Blatchley, Dr. Daniel Ramos, Eric Brown, Mia Arreola, Maricela Salcedo-Prado, Ivy Fua, Lilly Padilla, Erika Martinez, Dr. Pamela Alston.
Letter from the Chancellor
Ebola Crisis D ear Members of the UCSF Community: We all have been deeply saddened by the events transpiring in West Africa, which is experiencing the worst Ebola outbreak in history. The disease has killed several thousand people, and without a massive international effort, it could kill tens or even hundreds of thousands more. President Obama has issued a call for experienced U.S. health workers to travel
to the area, and I expect UC San Francisco doctors, nurses, lab technicians and other clinical health workers will want to join the effort, as, indeed, some already have. I have charged a task force to advise me on the campus response to the crisis, and I want to assure the UCSF community that I am thinking of the safety of everyone
EBOLA » PAGE 10
“Very early in my graduate career, a close family member died under tragic and traumatic circumstances. The months that followed were really rough, and several months after I was still struggling. There came a point in time when I recognized that I wasn’t where I wanted to be mentally, and I didn’t think I could pick myself up and progress any further on my own. That’s when I decided to go see a therapist. Therapy was incredibly valuable for me to have a space where I could process my grief. I want to share my story because I doubt that I’m the only UCSF student to struggle with grief, depression, or other unexpected life challenges and I agree that de-stigmatizing mental health and even talking about mental health issues is
MENTAL HEALTH » PAGE 11
Interview with Dr. Dan Kelly UCSF Infectious Disease Fellow Working in Sierra Leone Yi Lu Staff Writer
W ith the Ebola crisis showing no signs of abating in western Africa, one of UCSF’s
infectious disease fellows recently returned to Sierra Leone to assist the government as well as local health care workers in their efforts to stem the epidemic. On October 1, 2014, before he left again for Sierra Leone, Synapse’s Yi Lu sat down with Dr. Daniel Kelly to discuss his trajectory in global health, his experiences in Sierra Leone before and during the current epidemic, and his goals upon his return to the country. Synapse: Can you talk about how you got started working in Sierra Leone?
DAN KELLY » PAGE 12
Courtesy of Susan Merrell