Dear Residents and Fellows,

Patient Care Fund Application – Due Friday, 9/25/26

In partnership with (and funded through!) UCSF Health and the Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME), we are pleased to announce this year's Patient Care Fund (PCF) call for applications! The PCF seeks proposals from and led by trainees that will improve the quality of patient care at UCSF. Applications are reviewed using the following criteria:

Patient Care Impact:

Only projects focused on improving tangible care for UCSF Health patients will be funded. Projects will be assessed for relative direct impact and relative long-term benefits to the patient population.

Sustainability & Continuity:

The proposal will be reviewed based on the potential for ongoing sustainable improvement for patients. If applicable, the proposal should demonstrate the source of ongoing funding necessary to sustain the project long term. Projects with sustained benefits to patients will be given a higher priority. Repeat proposals for projects that have been previously funded will not be considered. [Pilot, longevity]

Budget Criteria:

Funds are not intended to provide research, staffing, salary support, entertainment expenses, or other expenses inconsistent with UCSF Health or UCSF campus policies. Projects involving educational materials must also include a Patient Education Committee review and Interpreting and Translation Services if translations are needed (and highly suggested for more inclusive patient outreach).

Examples of past funded proposals:

• Children’s books for pediatric clinic waiting areas
• Pediatric hygiene kits to provide hair care items to patients with curly or coiled hair
• Educational pamphlets, magnets, and posters for pediatric or birthing patients
• "CARE" carts with medical resources, games, and art for geriatric inpatient units
• Individualized patient gowns for breast cancer patients coming for multiple weekly radiation therapy
• Art supplies for a pediatrics art day event or art kits for geriatric / pediatric patients
• LiveWell comics for pediatric patients with Irritable Bowel Disease
• Take-home culturally congruent cookbooks for discharge medicine patients
• Take-home sunscreen / moisturizer kit for dermatology patients

Proposals are due: Friday, September 26, 2025

Application Link: UCSF Patient Care Fund (2026-2027)

For more information, see our PCF FAQ or visit our PCF Website.

We are committed to improving the quality of patient care at UCSF and are happy to help you develop your idea, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any follow-up requests/ questions! Contact: Marisa McFarlane (marisa.mcfarlane@ucsf.edu)