Heidi Frank is the new division manager of Gastroenterology at UCSF Health

We are delighted to welcome Heidi Frank as our new division manager for the Division of Gastroenterology at UCSF Health!

With a strong background in research administration and team development, Heidi brings a wealth of experience and a passion for fostering collaboration and community. Heidi began her public health career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay, working on water and sanitation projects in a small village. After earning her MPH/MBA, she joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a fellow, focusing on HIV in Angola and around the world. In 2007, Heidi brought her expertise to the UCSF Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS), where she continued her work in global health before transitioning into financial and administrative operations of research administration in 2016.

With a track record of progressively responsible roles at IGHS, Heidi is committed to strengthening teams, enhancing collaboration, and building a supportive and inclusive environment. She has led initiatives such as guest speaker events, wellness activities, professional development programs, and the promotion of DEI. She has also played a key role in recruiting, onboarding, and planning retreats to support staff engagement and growth. Her contributions to communication and knowledge-sharing, such as producing IGHS-wide memos, have helped streamline operations and ensure transparency. Beyond IGHS, Heidi actively participates in UCSF committees, advocating for inclusive leadership and ensuring alignment with broader institutional goals. She is excited to bring her energy, leadership, and strategic focus to her new role as our new division manager.

Outside of work, the most important part of Heidi’s life is being a mother. She treasures every moment spent with her son, whether they are playing, building, gardening, reading, creating, or exploring together.

A sincere thank you to the search committee – led by Sara Lewin and Aaron Tabacco, with members Susan Lynch, Courtney Sherman, Jennifer Price, Cheikh Njie, and Svetlana Sogolova – for their time, effort, and thoughtful contributions throughout this process. We also deeply appreciate Michael Chen and Jon Rueter for their role in vetting candidates.

A special thank you to Victor Jimenez and Natalya Maisel for their exceptional support in providing interim coverage. Their dedication and hard work have been truly invaluable, and we are grateful for all they have done.

Please join us in giving Heidi a warm welcome to the team!