2025 Awards Honor Outstanding Achievements by UCSF Alumni
The Alumni Association of UC San Francisco (AAUCSF) has announced the recipients of the 2025 UCSF Alumni Achievement Awards. These prestigious honors recognize outstanding alumni from UCSF’s Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, as well as the Graduate Division, for their exceptional impact in clinical care, scientific discovery, innovation, mentorship, philanthropy, service, and early-career achievement. Additionally, the alumni associations representing each of UCSF’s four schools, the Graduate Division, and the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy celebrated the accomplishments of distinguished graduates through their annual awards.
Catherine Lucey, MD, UCSF executive vice chancellor and provost, bestowed the awards at this year’s UCSF Alumni Weekend at Mission Bay in April. Lucey was joined by Shelly Nakaishi, MS ’06, president of the AAUCSF, and Brian Komoto, PharmD ’81, UC Regent.
As UCSF faculty, mentors, and dedicated volunteers, these honorees embody the spirit of service and excellence. Their inspiring stories remind us of the profound difference UCSF alumni make every day.”
Catherine Lucey, MD, Resident Alum
This year, University Development and Alumni Relations recognized 14 exceptional alumni whose work spans various fields and specialties — from medicine and biotechnology to research and entrepreneurship. These honorees are champions for children’s wellness, women’s health, and underserved communities; they are trailblazers in scientific discovery and health care transformation. Many have overcome significant obstacles and carved unconventional paths, emerging as inspirational leaders in their fields.
The alumni association also bestowed a Lifetime Service Award on Michael V. Drake, MD ’75, who will step down from his role as president of the University of California in July. During the award ceremony, President Drake reflected on his time at UCSF, where he trained as an ophthalmologist and eventually pivoted to academic leadership, serving as chancellor of UC Irvine and president of The Ohio State University. He assumed his role as president of the University of California in 2020, and is recognized for championing affordable, accessible, and high-quality public higher education throughout his career.
Below you can watch the videos that showcase the work of these remarkable UCSF ambassadors, their dedication to improving health, and their extraordinary accomplishments since graduating from UCSF.
Illustrations by John Jay Cabuay
The highlights: Watch the showcase of the Alumni Award winners, including Michael V. Drake, MD ’75, President, University of California, UCSF Lifetime Service Award.
UCSF Lifetime Service Award
Michael V. Drake, MD, ’75
President, University of California
Forging Pathways
Douglas E. Cowden, DDS, ’65
Alumni Philanthropic Impact Award
Sharon Youmans, PharmD ’85, MPH
Pharmacy Alumni Association Alum of the Year
Cynthia K. Brattesani, DDS, ’89
Dental Alumni Association Medal of Honor
Honorees Forging Pathways: Watch Douglas E. Cowden, DDS; Sharon Youmans, PharmD; and Cynthia K. Brattesani, DDS share their experiences and insights in their own words.
Inspiring Change
Benjamin Boyd, MSPT ’02, DPTSc, ’08
UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy Alum of the Year
Ronni E. Brown, DDS, MPH
Resident Alum, Alumni Practitioner Award
Stephanie D. Chao, MD ’06
Medical Alumni Association Alum of the Year
Honorees Inspiring Change: Benjamin Boyd, MSPT; Ronni Brown, DDS, MPH; and Stephanie Chao, MD ’06 share their journeys.
Driving Discoveries
Shelley Chu, MD, PhD, ’00
Graduate Division Alumni Association Alum of the Year
Kamena Kostova, PhD ’18
Alumni Early-Career Award
Anna B. Moscicki, MD, Clinical Fellow Alum
Alumni Discovery Award
Kenneth S. Song, MD ’00, Resident Alum
Alumni Entrepreneur Award
Honorees Driving Discoveries: Hear insights from Shelley Chu, MD, PhD; Kamena Kostova, PhD; Anna B. Moscicki, MD; and Ken Song, MD.
Leading Forward
Maria Lopez, PharmD ’01
Alumni Humanitarian Service Award
Colleen Anne McEvoy, MSN ’06
Alumni Practitioner Award
Jian Zhang, MSN ’92, FNP
Nursing Alumni Association Jane Norbeck Distinguished Service Award
Honorees Leading Forward: See Maria Lopez, PharmD; Colleen McEvoy, MSN, NP; and Jian Zhang, MSN, DNP share their stories.
Seeking Nominations
The AAUCSF is now seeking nominations for the 2026 UCSF Alumni Achievement Awards. All UCSF alumni, including former residents, fellows, and postdocs, are eligible. If you know someone whom you would like to nominate, please contact Nancy Knowles, Assistant Director, Alumni Relations, at [email protected].
Help us discover the most deserving awardees!