Geri Spotlight: Monica Cheng and Mike Harper
The Geriatrics Spotlight initiative fosters community building within the Division, especially during this age of hybrid/remote work where it can be challenging to find ways to interact with colleagues outside of your immediate teams. This is a way for Division members to learn more about all the wonderful work we’re doing!
This week, we get to know our division members, Monica Cheng and Mike Harper.
Title: Assistant Professor of Medicine
Joined Division: 2023
Work site(s): UCSF Care at Home and The San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living
Email: [email protected]
Interviewed by Mike Harper over Zoom.
About Monica’s Role/Ongoing Projects
Monica worked on Life Stages, where she contributed to revising the small group session on Social Determinants of Health. She enjoyed seeing how this experience might shape her future direction as an educator. Her hope is that no matter what specialties our medical students choose for their careers, they will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide optimal care for older adults.
Her favorite part of her role is the opportunity to engage in a wide range of clinical activities while working alongside excellent mentors and role models.
What is a professional goal you would like to accomplish by the end of this year?
Monica's professional goal for this year is to develop the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become an effective Medical Director.
More about Monica
What are you happiest doing in your free time?
Monica enjoys going on walks in random directions with her dog, Mozzy.
What would your back-up career be?
Monica would be a travel agent.
Title: Professor of Medicine & Division of Geriatrics Wellness Officer
Joined Division: 2004
Work site(s): SFVAHCS and from home in San Francisco, CA
Email: [email protected]
Interviewed by Monica Cheng over Zoom.
About Mike’s Role/Ongoing Projects
In his role as Wellness officer, he is focusing this year on assisting new clinical faculty in welcoming them and in their onboarding process to the faculty. He enjoys getting to know new faculty and providing them with information about UCSF, the Division, and the culture of UCSF and the Division of Geriatrics. Through helping new faculty be set up for success in their clinical settings and early career.
His favorite aspect of his position is working with Clinical Fellows, particularly in VA nursing home (CLC) and VA primary care clinic.
What is a professional goal you would like to accomplish by the end of this year?
Mike's professional goal for this year is to work with members of AGS to create and complete a self-directed learning module around new diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease and treatment with monoclonal antibodies. The module is designed for practicing clinicians and fellows in training.
More about Mike
What’s one “fun fact” about you that not many people know? (e.g., hidden talent)
His one social media is TikTok (not a content creator, but an observer). He is following GeriPal on TikTok.
What are you happiest doing in your free time?
Mike enjoys NYT word puzzles - Connections, Wordle, and Strands.
What is the best advice you've ever heard?
"Borrow young, lend old."
Who is someone you admire and why?
Mike admires Jane Marks, a nurse at Johns Hopkins Bayview, who taught him much of what he knows about geriatrics.
What would your back-up career be?
Mike would be a golf course superintendent.