Health Equity

The ZSFG Story

At ZSFG, we believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Equity is different from equality: People with the greatest needs and fewest resources require more support to equalize opportunities and health outcomes.

Our goals are to address ongoing concerns about health disparities for San Francisco’s populations of color and create an anti-racism environment where all members of our community feel valued.

Advancing Equity Strategic Plan

ZSFG’s Advancing Equity Strategic Plan focuses on three areas:

Reducing health disparities for our patients
Ensuring equitable experiences for our workforce
Advancing an overall culture of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism

ZSFG Equity Council

In 2017, ZSFG established an Equity Council with hospital leaders, front-line staff, and clinicians to empower our community to eliminate inequities and promote inclusion.

The Equity Council advises and supports ZSFG’s Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) and the overall organization on DEI matters. As an influential and collective voice, the Equity Council holds ZSFG Executive Leadership and the ZSFG DEI Department accountable in leading the ZSFG community in dismantling institutional and structural racism and building a culture of equity, respect, and inclusion.

The Equity Council is led by Co-Chair Tanvi Bhakta and overseen by Executive Sponsor Gillian Otway.

Equity Council Members

Tanvi Bhakta

Nursing Director
Equity Council Co-Chair

Marissa Boeck

Assistant Professor of Surgery

Amanda Eckels

Critical Care Nurse H32/38, Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT)

Aladin Fagan

Porter Supervisor 1, Environmental Services

Nora Franco

Clinical Research Librarian, UCSF at ZSFG Library

Alonn Ilan

Nurse Manager, 4M and 4J Specialty Clinics

Liseli Mulala

Transitions of Care Pharmacist

Jo Elias-Jackson

IS Business Analyst – Principal

Mel Molina

Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine

Shilu Ramchand

Nurse Manager, NICU/Pediatrics

Joan Torres

Nurse Manager, Behavioral Emergency Response Team

Mark Wilson

Professor and Chief, Radiology

Jenson Wong

Director of Anesthesia Quality Improvement, Anesthesia

We are implementing this strategy through the following initiatives:

1. Patient & Community Engagement

Building mechanisms for feedback from underserved patients and community members on equity and inclusion efforts.

2. Communications

Increasing external and internal communication regarding ZSFG’s DEI efforts and opportunities for staff to participate.

3. Workforce Equity

Reviewing and modifying hiring, promotion, and retention policies and practices to ensure equitable treatment and to build a workforce that reflects the patient population and community demographics.