Orientation: September 10Class Dates: September 24–November 13Retreat: Sunday, November 1Instructor: James MitchellSpecial Format: All sessions are held online via Zoom, with a special opportunity to attend in-person hybrid formats at the Osher Center for Classes 5, 6, 7, 8, and the day-long retreat.

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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an eight-week program that introduces mindfulness practices in the form of sitting meditation, body awareness, and mindful movement, modeled by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD.

This program can help if stress is having a negative impact on your life, if you are experiencing chronic physical or mental distress, or if you are simply interested in learning ways to maintain health and well-being. Over 6,000 research papers have published findings on the benefits of practicing MBSR including decreased anxiety, depression, pain, and distress, and increased attention, concentration, performance, and quality of life. Recent studies have found that an 8-week MBSR course had comparable effectiveness to a first-line medication for patients with anxiety disorders (JAMA, 2022)

Each MBSR course includes:

An orientation A 30-minute private interview with the instructor before the first class, 8 weekly sessions One daylong retreat on a Saturday or Sunday A unique and essential aspect of the UCSF Osher Center MBSR program is a thirty-minute private interview with the instructor before the first class. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the program’s suitability for any personal circumstances. One may also provide information about their health, challenges, and aspirations that one would like the instructor to know so that they can best support one’s well-being.

The orientation session consists of meeting the instructor and participants, an introduction to what participation in the class entails, history and research on the MBSR model, and instruction and practice of mindfulness techniques.

Visit our website to learn more.

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Wednesdays, October 7–28, 6:00-7:30 p.m. PT

Approximately 1 in 5 adults uses a plant-based herbal supplement, and 1 in 2 uses a vitamin or mineral product. Many people do not tell their health care providers about the supplements they are taking. This communication gap can increase the risk of interactions with prescription medications, existing health conditions, and other treatments. As the use of dietary supplements continues to grow, it is important for people to understand how to evaluate these products, recognize their potential benefits and risks, and identify which supplements are supported by strong scientific evidence. Accessing reliable, evidence-based information can help everyone make safer, more informed decisions about their health.

This four-week course will help participants learn essential tips for dietary supplement selection and evidence-based information on the effectiveness and potential risks for supplements and herbals commonly used for longevity, heart health, bone health, and other uses. This course is chaired by UCSF Clinical Pharmacy Faculty, Dr. Candy Tsourounis and Dr. Cathi Dennehy.

October 7: Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine Essentials: What You Need to Know

October 14: Supplements for Healthy Aging: What's Popular, and Should I Take It?

October 21: Longevity: Can Supplements Help You Live Longer and Healthier?

October 28: Vitamins and Minerals: What Makes Sense for You

Register here

Our educational programming, formerly known as Osher Mini Medical School for the Public, has been reimagined as Osher WISE (Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone). This public education program offers courses on integrative health topics that are current and compelling, providing an opportunity for community members to become active, informed participants in their own journey to health and well-being.

https://osher.ucsf.edu/Osher-WISE

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Presented by Brian T. Anderson, MD, MSc

Brian T. Anderson, MD, MSc, is a psychiatrist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is a founding investigator at the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and he is affiliated with UCSF Neuroscape. His research group takes a public health approach to conducting clinical trials and observational studies that seek to improve how we address suffering and despair among people living with serious medical illness and people who use drugs. For over 15 years Dr. Anderson has studied the medical and non-medical uses of controlled substances, with a focus on psychedelics used in therapeutic and religious settings.

Continuing Education:

This UCSF continuing education activity was planned and developed to: uphold academic standards to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor; adhere to requirements to protect health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); and, include a mechanism to inform learners when unapproved or unlabeled uses of therapeutic products or agents are discussed or referenced.

UCSF adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including content planners, reviewers, authors, presenters, moderators, panelists, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Accreditation:

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

This CME activity meets the requirements under California Assembly 1195, continuing education, and cultural and linguistic competency.

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.

Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2027. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. In order to receive credit you must certify your attendance in this session and claim your credits earned in the activity within 6 days of its conclusion.

California Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. (provider number 1377).

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement:

Planners: The planners Shelley Adler, PhD, Selena Chan, DO, and Patty Moran, PhD, have no relationships to disclose.

Speaker: Brian Anderson, MD, has no financial relationships to disclose.

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The symposium will also examine common myths and misinformation surrounding women's health while highlighting practical, evidence-based lifestyle strategies and non-pharmacological approaches that support prevention, resilience, and healing.

Whether you're seeking information for yourself, a loved one, your patients, or your community, this event is open to everyone interested in learning more about integrative approaches to women’s health and well-being.

Session 1: Foundations of Health

Session 2: Hormone Changes Across the Lifespan

Session 3: Addressing Disparities in Women’s Health

Session 4: Chronic Conditions for Women

Keynote: Breast Cancer Prevention, Risk Reduction, and Recovery

Register here (free!)

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Presented by Simona C. Kwon, DrPH, MPH

Simona C. Kwon, DrPH, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and serves as director of the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health. She is nationally recognized for her expertise in community-based participatory research (CBPR) and health equity initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities in immigrant and minority populations. Dr. Kwon’s research focuses on chronic disease prevention, cultural competency in healthcare, and the social determinants of health. She has led multiple NIH-funded projects addressing health issues in underserved communities, with a particular focus on Asian American populations.

As a leader in public health, Dr. Kwon collaborates with community-based organizations to design and implement culturally tailored interventions. Her work highlights the importance of building trust and partnerships between healthcare systems and the communities they serve. She has published extensively on CBPR methodologies and health equity frameworks. Dr. Kwon is committed to advancing inclusive and equitable approaches to improving health outcomes across diverse populations.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this activity, learners will be able to:

Apply key principles of social marketing and cultural adaptation that can inform efforts to close gaps between current and ideal practice in health promotion and disease prevention for reaching priority populations. Describe how community engagement, participatory approaches, and cultural relevance can support more whole-person, integrated care through clinical practice, research, and education for diverse priority populations. Identify broad strategies for adapting evidence-based health programs to improve relevance, implementation, and sustainability in priority communities, with the goal of improving health outcomes. Accreditation Statement

 Continuing Education:  

This UCSF continuing education activity was planned and developed to: uphold academic standards to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor; adhere to requirements to protect health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); and, include a mechanism to inform learners when unapproved or unlabeled uses of therapeutic products or agents are discussed or referenced. 

UCSF adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including content planners, reviewers, authors, presenters, moderators, panelists, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. 

 Accreditation: 

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

This CME activity meets the requirements under California Assembly 1195, continuing education, and cultural and linguistic competency.   

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.     

Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2027. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. In order to receive credit you must certify your attendance in this session and claim your credits earned in the activity within 6 days of its conclusion. 

California Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. (provider number 1377). 

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement:  

Planners: The planners Shelley Adler, PhD, Selena Chan, DO, and Patty Moran, PhD, have no relationships to disclose. 

Speaker: Simona C. Kwon, DrPH, MPH has no relationships to disclose. 

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David W. Miller, MD, FAAP, LAc, Dipl. OM

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this activity, learners will be able to:

Consider seven views on human physiology that can form the basis of mental health and mental health care.Appreciate the evidence base for a number of integrative modalities in connection to mental health issues.Identify ways to incorporate integrative strategies into current care

Accreditation Statement

Continuing Education:

This UCSF continuing education activity was planned and developed to: uphold academic standards to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor; adhere to requirements to protect health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); and, include a mechanism to inform learners when unapproved or unlabeled uses of therapeutic products or agents are discussed or referenced.

UCSF adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including content planners, reviewers, authors, presenters, moderators, panelists, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Accreditation:

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

This CME activity meets the requirements under California Assembly 1195, continuing education, and cultural and linguistic competency.

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.

Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2027. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. In order to receive credit you must certify your attendance in this session and claim your credits earned in the activity within 6 days of its conclusion.

California Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. (provider number 1377).

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement:

Planners: The planners Shelley Adler, PhD, Selena Chan, DO, and Patty Moran, PhD, have no relationships to disclose.

Speaker: David W. Miller, MD, FAAP, Lac, Dipl. OM has no relationships to disclose.

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Martina Leialoha Kamaka, MD, FAAFP

Martina Leialoha Kamaka, MD, FAAFP, is a Native Hawaiian Family Physician and Professor in the Department of Native Hawaiian Health at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine. She hails from Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu where she and her husband raised two wonderful children. She is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, the University of Notre Dame and the John A. Burns School of Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine residency in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where her interest in the interaction of culture and health began. She returned to Hawai‘i to work a family physician. She later was was given the opportunity to work in academic medicine where she has focused on Native Hawaiian and Indigenous health and health disparities, cultural competency /humility training, and climate change and health. Her work has garnered her a UH Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award and her teaching team, the LIMELight “Sustained Excellence in Indigenous Health Curriculum Implementation” award in New Zealand in 2019. She is a Vice Chair of NCAPIP (the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians), a 2024 Climate and Health Equity Fellow and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians where she also just completed two terms as a national DEI commissioner. In 2014, she was honored to serve as one of the physicians for the worldwide travels of the voyaging canoe, Hōkūle‘a. In addition, she is a founder and active member of the ʻAhahui o nā Kauka (Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians) and the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress (PRIDoC).

Accreditation Statement  

Continuing Education:  

This UCSF continuing education activity was planned and developed to: uphold academic standards to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor; adhere to requirements to protect health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); and, include a mechanism to inform learners when unapproved or unlabeled uses of therapeutic  products or agents are discussed or referenced. 

UCSF adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including content planners, reviewers, authors, presenters, moderators, panelists, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. 

Accreditation: 

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

This CME activity meets the requirements under California Assembly 1195, continuing education, and cultural and linguistic competency. 

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.     

Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2027. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. In order to receive credit you must certify your attendance in this session and claim your credits earned in the activity within 6 days of its conclusion.   

California Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. (provider number 1377). 

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement:  

Planners: The planners Shelley Adler, PhD, Selena Chan, DO, and Patty Moran, PhD, have no relationships to disclose. 

Speaker: Martina Kamaka, MD has no relationships to disclose. 

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Kathryn Hansen PhD, MSN, ANP-BC, DipACLM

Kathryn Hansen, PhD, MSN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner and researcher at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She specializes in integrative approaches to pain management, with a focus on group medical visits as a strategy to improve patient outcomes. Dr. Hansen’s work emphasizes the role of patient-centered care, behavioral health, and social connection in managing chronic pain.

Her research explores innovative care models that combine education, self-management strategies, and holistic interventions to address pain while reducing reliance on pharmacologic treatments. She is particularly interested in how group medical visits can foster peer support, enhance coping mechanisms, and improve overall quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain.

Dr. Hansen has published extensively on integrative health approaches and is actively involved in designing programs that bridge clinical practice and research. At Vanderbilt, she collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based interventions that align with patient goals and preferences. Dr. Hansen is passionate about empowering patients to take an active role in their health and promoting sustainable, non-invasive strategies for pain management.

Accreditation Statement  

Continuing Education:  

This UCSF continuing education activity was planned and developed to: uphold academic standards to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor; adhere to requirements to protect health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); and, include a mechanism to inform learners when unapproved or unlabeled uses of therapeutic  products or agents are discussed or referenced. 

UCSF adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including content planners, reviewers, authors, presenters, moderators, panelists, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. 

Accreditation: 

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

This CME activity meets the requirements under California Assembly 1195, continuing education, and cultural and linguistic competency. 

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.     

Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2027. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. In order to receive credit you must certify your attendance in this session and claim your credits earned in the activity within 6 days of its conclusion.   

California Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. (provider number 1377). 

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Kathryn Hansen PhD, MSN, ANP-BC, DipACLM

David Victorson, PhD is a psychologist and Professor of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, where he directs the Flourishing in Society and Health Research Lab. He serves as Director of Research at the Osher Center for Integrative Health and leads Integrative Oncology Research at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Survivorship Institute. Dr. Victorson’s research focuses on mindfulness-based emotion regulation, nature contact, social connection, and positive health behaviors to enhance health and well-being across populations.

He has conducted multiple NIH-funded clinical trials, primarily with cancer survivors, and integrates modern measurement science, wearable technologies, and biological outcomes into his work. Dr. Victorson co-founded True North Treks, a nonprofit organization supporting young adults and caregivers affected by cancer through nature-based interventions. He is the founding chair of the Nature and Health Special Interest Group within the Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health.

Dr. Victorson is deeply committed to community engagement and reducing health disparities, weaving these priorities into his research on flourishing and planetary health. His leadership extends across numerous roles in integrative medicine, oncology, and environmental health initiatives. Through his work, he aims to advance innovative approaches to improving health outcomes and fostering well-being in both individuals and communities.

Continuing Education:  

This UCSF continuing education activity was planned and developed to: uphold academic standards to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor; adhere to requirements to protect health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA); and, include a mechanism to inform learners when unapproved or unlabeled uses of therapeutic  products or agents are discussed or referenced. 

UCSF adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including content planners, reviewers, authors, presenters, moderators, panelists, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. 

Accreditation: 

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

This CME activity meets the requirements under California Assembly 1195, continuing education, and cultural and linguistic competency. 

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.   

Attendees should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2027. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. In order to receive credit you must certify your attendance in this session and claim your credits earned in the activity within 6 days of its conclusion. 

California Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. (provider number 1377). 

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement:  

Planners: The planners Shelley Adler, PhD, Selena Chan, DO, and Patty Moran, PhD, have no relationships to disclose. 

Speaker: David Victorson, PhD has no relationships to disclose. 

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