DEI and Recruitment

Advancing Diversity Through Holistic Review

Beginning in 2016, the UCSF IM Residency adopted a Holistic Review strategy for our recruitment and selection practices. The AAMC defines Holistic Review as a flexible, individualized way of assessing an applicant’s capabilities by which balanced consideration is given to experiences, attributes, and academic metrics (E-A-M) and, when considered in combination, how the individual might contribute value as a future physician.

By evaluating applicants holistically, we can identify a diverse cohort of outstanding future residents who will advance our program’s mission and core values. 

A Note From our Program Directors

As part of a public institution in the most diverse state in the US, we are proud that our residents increasingly reflect the diversity of our patients. We are committed to the continuous work needed to create an equitable and inclusive place to train for residents from all backgrounds.   

Rebecca Berman, MD - Internal Medicine Program Director
Joan Addington-White, MD - SFPC Program Director
Ryan Laponis, MD - UCPC Program Director

Residency Info Sessions

Q&A with RDC Interns and Residents

Holistic Review Process

Visiting Elective Scholarship Program for MS4s

The Visiting Elective Scholarship Program (VESP), supported by the UCSF School of Medicine, was established to encourage fourth-year medical students who are either underrepresented in medicine, disadvantaged, have demonstrated a commitment to working with underserved populations, OR have demonstrated a commitment to working with issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) to apply for a clinical elective at UCSF. The scholarship program provides up to $2,000 and is designed to:

  • Expose fourth-year medical students to an academic training program.
  • Promote student interest in applying to an academic residency training program.
  • Provide faculty and housestaff mentorship during the clinical elective experience.

Clinical electives are four weeks in length and are available, space permitting, to U.S. visiting students only. VESP participants are assigned a faculty advisor and have the opportunity to network with UCSF faculty, housestaff, and students. A diversity dinner with faculty and housestaff is held during each rotation. In addition, all participants are invited and encouraged to attend various seminars and lectures including those offered by the UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach and the UCSF Multicultural Resource Center.

Find out more.