2026 Alumni Awards Recognize Visionary Leaders Shaping the Future of Health
The Alumni Association of UC San Francisco (AAUCSF) has named its 2026 Alumni Achievement Award recipients, recognizing leaders whose contributions span groundbreaking scientific discovery and transformative philanthropy in support of UCSF’s mission. In addition, alumni associations in UCSF’s schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, as well as the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs and the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, recognized outstanding graduates through their annual awards. This year’s honorees have advanced research, clinical care, teaching, mentorship, philanthropy, and public service.
Catherine Lucey, MD, resident alum, UCSF executive vice chancellor and provost, presented the awards at this year’s Alumni Weekend at Mission Bay. She was joined by Shelly Nakaishi, MS ’06, immediate past-president of the AAUCSF, and UC Regent Brian Komoto, PharmD ’81.
These remarkable individuals embody the very best of UCSF. Their contributions are shaping the future of health and inspiring the next generation to do the same.
Catherine Lucey, MD, Resident Alum
Among those recognized this year were alumni whose scientific discoveries, clinical care, and community leadership have advanced patient outcomes worldwide. Their contributions include helping make HIV infection preventable, identifying key biological mechanisms such as cholesterol receptors and the ACE2 protein, and improving methods for diagnosing and treating diseases — for example, earlier cancer detection, modern mammography techniques, and faster intervention in cardiac emergencies. Their work also expands access to care, including programs that support people living with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
The following video highlights the honorees’ achievements and impact since graduating from UCSF.
The highlights: Meet the eight 2026 UCSF Alumni Award winners, whose work is shaping the future of health through patient care, research, and service.
Illustrations by John Jay Cabuay
Insights and Impact
Susan Buchbinder, MD ’84, Resident Alum
Medical Alumni Association Alum of the Year
Edward A. Sickles, MD, Resident Alum, Clinical Alum, and Dale Sickles, MD
Alumni Philanthropic Impact Award
Jessica Zègre-Hemsey, PhD ’11, RN
Nursing Alumni Association Jane Norbeck Distinguished Service Award
From insight to impact: UCSF alumni Susan Buchbinder, MD; Edward Sickles, MD; and Jessica Zègre-Hemsey, PhD, are asking crucial questions and improving diagnosis, access, and care.
Leadership and Service
Donald Hermansen, DDS ’73
Dental Alumni Association Medal of Honor
Lisa Oei, DPT ’05, MSPT, PT
UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy Alum of the Year
From leadership to service: UCSF alumni Donald Hermansen, DDS, and Lisa Oei, DPT, are building programs, strengthening communities, and improving lives beyond clinical settings.
Discovery and Innovation
Susan L. Acton, PhD ’91
Alumni Discovery Award
Leslie Z. Benet, PhD ’65
Pharmacy Alumni Association Alum of the Year
Lillian T. Chong, PhD ’02
Graduate and Postdoc Alum of the Year
From discovery to innovation: UCSF alumni Susan Acton, PhD, Leslie Benet, PhD, and Lilian Chong, PhD, are uncovering how diseases develop and how drugs work to target them more precisely.
Seeking Nominations
The AAUCSF is now seeking nominations for the 2027 UCSF Alumni Awards. All UCSF alumni, including former residents, fellows, and postdocs, are eligible. If you know someone you would like to nominate, please contact Nancy Knowles, assistant director, Alumni Relations, at [email protected].
Help us discover the most deserving awardees!