Local Government Relations

San Francisco

For more than 150 years, UCSF has served San Francisco and the Bay Area through our unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, education, research and public service. UCSF plays a prominent role in the City and County of San Francisco. UCSF is San Francisco’s second-largest employer (behind only the City and County itself) with more than half of our employees living in San Francisco, keeping their salaries and investments in the city.

UCSF generates millions in direct revenue to the City and County and holds strong partnerships with San Francisco, including the San Francisco Health Improvement Partnership, Science Education Partnership, and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

For questions and/or contacts with San Francisco elected officials, please reach out to Amiee Alden, director of Local and State Government Relations, at (415) 476-8433. Amiee can assist with:

  • Outreach and engagement with elected officials
  • UCSF campus priorities
  • UCSF-City partnerships 
  • Local advocacy guidelines
  • Requests for testimony at San Francisco City Hall
London Breed speaks with Sam Hawgood during a talk on leadership

San Francisco Mayor London Breed joins UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood for UCSF's Leadership Speakers Series on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, in San Francisco.

Oakland

Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland has served as the pediatric safety-net hospital providing primary and specialty care for all children and families in the East Bay and beyond for over 105 years. In 2014, the hospital affiliated with UCSF to become UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland positioning the hospital along with the Mission Bay campus in San Francisco to become the West Coast's leading pediatric health system focused on quality access to care, research and innovative community partnerships that promote health equity.     

A Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, Benioff Children's Oakland provides emergency and specialty care, and hosts the largest pediatric primary care clinic in the Bay Area as a Federally Qualified Health Center, which includes two comprehensive school-based clinics.

For questions and/or contacts with Alameda County and Oakland elected officials, please reach out to Jessica Arline, Associate Director of Community and Government Relations for Benioff Children's Oakland. Jessica can assist with:

  • Outreach and engagement with elected officials
  • UCSF-Benioff Children's Oakland campus priorities
  • UCSF-City and County partnerships 
  • Requests for testimony at Oakland City Hall and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf speaking at a rally.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf speaks during a rally for immigrant rights at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018, in Oakland.


State Government Relations

We work with the legislature, state agencies, Governor’s office, and policy makers on behalf of UCSF. We organize policy and advocacy opportunities at the State Capitol, in coordination with the Office of the President. We are here to help you with engaging elected officials, legislation, budget, and policy. 

For questions and/or contacts with State Assembly members, senators, and the Governor’s office, please reach out to Amiee Alden, director of Local and State Government Relations, at (415) 476-8433. Amiee can assist with:

  • Outreach and engagement with elected officials
  • Travel to Sacramento for UCSF
  • Requests for testimony at the Capitol
  • UCSF research and policy agenda
  • State legislation and budget information
  • State advocacy guidelines

You can find information on the University of California’s state government relations here: UC Office of the President, State Government Relations

Eleni Kounalaki walking alongside Elizabeth Watkins and two students.

Lieutenant Governor of California, Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, walks alongside Elizabeth Watkins, PhD, Vice Chancellor, Student Academic Affairs and two UCSF grad students Emmalyn Chen and Ariel Kauss, during Graduate Research Advocacy Day. March 19, 2019.


Federal Government Relations

As the top public recipient of NIH funding in the United States and a renowned healthcare provider, federal policy decisions made in Washington, D.C., directly impact our core mission to train, discover and heal. The UCSF Federal Government Relations team works with UCSF leadership, faculty, students and staff to advocate for robust federal research funding, and health care policies that ensure access to affordable and high-quality patient care, among other critical priorities for the institution.  

For questions and/or contacts with federal elected officials, please reach out to Eric Anthony, director of Federal Government Relations. Eric can assist with:

  • UCSF research and policy agenda
  • Travel to Washington D.C. for UCSF
  • Requests for Congressional testimony
  • Outreach and engagement with elected officials
  • Federal legislation and budget information

You can find information on the University of California’s federal government relations here: UC Office of the President, Federal Government Relations.  

Government and University officials meeting in Washington, DC.

Senator Bill Cassidy meeting with Barbara French, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications; Sam Hawgood, Chancellor; Natalie Alpert Associate Director of Government Relations.

 


Advocacy

Join UCSF Advocates, the community of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters who stand up for values and policies that are fundamental to UCSF’s mission of advancing health worldwide. Sign up to learn more about opportunities to connect with lawmakers, engage in policy change, sign up for advocacy trainings, and more. #UCSFStandsUp

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