Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine

 

Sara Buckelew, MD, MPH

Medical Director

Dr. Sara Buckelew (she/her/hers) started the UCSF Eating Disorders Program in 2007. She specializes in treating children, adolescents, and transitional age youth with eating disorders. Dr. Buckelew earned a medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in public health at UC Berkeley. She is a member of the American College of Preventive Medicine, American Teachers of Preventive Medicine, and Society for Adolescent Medicine.

 

Amanda Downey, MD, FAAP

Assistant Medical Director

Dr. Amanda Downey (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Psychiatry, and the Assistant Medical Director of the UCSF Eating Disorders Program. She earned a medical degree at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed a triple board residency (pediatrics, adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Downey is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Academy for Eating Disorders.

 

Andrea K. Garber, PhD, RD

Chief Nutritionist

Dr. Andrea Garber (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine and Chief Nutritionist for the Eating Disorders Program. Dr. Garber earned her PhD in Human and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and RD (Registered Dietitian) from UCSF. She teaches in the UCSF School of Medicine, where she is the Nutrition Theme Director, and the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley, where she holds a joint faculty appointment. Dr. Garber's research focuses on eating disorders. She is the Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded study of refeeding in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. In the community, Dr. Garber has been a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Childhood Obesity Task Force, co-Chair of the Mayor’s Shape Up initiative, and an invited participant to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Obesity Summit.

 

Sharon Clifton, RN, BSN

Adolescent Medicine Nurse Coordinator

Sharon Clifton (she/her/hers) joined the UCSF Eating Disorder Program in 2018 with 20 years of pediatric nursing experience. She has been caring for patients with eating disorders for over 14 years. As the Nurse Coordinator for the Inpatient Adolescent Medicine team, Sharon is focused on improving the hospital experience for patients and families, expanding programming options, and providing ongoing education for staff. She serves as a liaison between families, nursing staff and the medical team. Sharon has a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and a B.S.N. in Nursing from Texas Christian University. She is the 2015 Daisy Award winner for Nursing Excellence at UCSF.

 

Maritza Sanchez, RN, BSN

Registered Nurse

Maritza Sanchez (she/her/hers) is a Registered Nurse who works in the Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic at UCSF with patients and families to provide support through case management, telephone triage, and coordination of care. Maritza earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Sonoma State University in 2010. She has experience working as an inpatient nurse in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSF. In addition, she has been a clinical nursing instructor at City College of San Francisco and is a member of UCSF's Telephone Triage Council. Maritza possesses a solid understanding of mental health disparities as well as medical comordbidities and is passionate about working with underserved populations from many walks of life. Maritza also has specialized knowledge and training in the medical care of adolescents and young adults with eating disorders. 

 

Elizabeth Saunders, RD, CSP

Dietician

Beth Saunders (she/they) is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition at the University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital. A part of the Adolescent Medicine team since 2012, her specialty focus is eating disorders and providing size inclusive care for young people. They received their Bachelor's degree from University of Hawai'i Manoa in 2011 and shortly afterwards moved to San Francisco to pursue their career in dietetics. Favorite weekend activities include  napping, streaming shows (and napping), or getting out of town for a retreat into nature (and napping).   

  

Mikayla Kuykendall, MPH, RDN

Dietician

Mikayla (she/they) is a registered dietitian at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Her primary areas of practice are Adolescent Medicine, where she works with patients with eating disorders, high acuity illness, and in need of general nutrition counseling. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University and her Master's Degree from UNC Chapel Hill, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Mikayla approaches nutrition from a weight inclusive and gender affirming perspective. 

 

Molly Koren, MSW, LCSW

Social Worker

Molly Koren (she/her/hers) is a social worker in the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine and in the Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Koren provides counseling, consultation, information, referrals, and advocacy for young people and their families. Koren is a licensed clinical social worker and earned a master's in social work from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers.

 

Lisbeth Chang, LCSW

Social Worker

Lisbeth Chang (she/her/ella) is a social worker in the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine. Lisbeth is fluent in Spanish. She provides counseling, help with accessing resources, and advocacy for patients and their families. She earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from San Jose State University. She completed a post-master's Social Work Fellowship at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford.

Genesis Ibarra, MSW, LCSW

Social Worker

Genesis Ibarra (she/her/ella) is a social worker in the UCSF Eating Disorders Program in the Walnut Creek Satellite Clinic. Genesis is a bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural clinician. She provides counseling, referrals, help with accessing resources and advocacy for patients and their families.  Genesis’ earned her master’s degree in social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley and completed a post-master’s Social Work Fellowship at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland.   

Marissa Raymond-Flesch, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor

Dr. Marissa Raymond-Flesch (she/her/hers) is currently an Assisant Professor in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine who specializes in treating children, adolescents, and transitional age youth with eating disorders. Dr. Raymond-Flesch earned a medical degree at Cornell University and a master’s degree in public health at Columbia University. She completed a joint residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is a member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

 

Stanley Vance, MD

Assistant Professor

Dr. Vance (he/him/his) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine.  Dr. Vance's areas of interest are provision of care to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Young Adolescents and Young Adults and medical management of transgender youth.  

 

 

Veronika Mesheriakova, MD

Assistant Professor

Veronika Mesheriakova, MD (she/her/hers) is Assistant Professor in the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine and director of the UCSF Youth Outpatient Substance Use Program. Dr. “M” earned her medical degree at the Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota, completed internship and residency in pediatrics at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, and fellowship in Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at UCSF. Dr. Mesheriakova’s particular area of interest is youth substance use and addiction. 

 

Jason Nagata, MD

Assistant Professor

Jason Nagata, MD, MSc, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. He is an expert in the medical management of eating disorders and cares for adolescents and young adults who are hospitalized for medical complications of eating disorders. He researches eating disorders, body image, and muscle-enhancing behaviors in boys, men, and LGBTQ+ people. He edited the book Eating Disorders in Boys and Men. He has published over 200 articles in academic journals including JAMA and The Lancet and his research has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and Time Magazine. He Co-Founded the International Association for Adolescent Health Young Professionals Network. He is the recipient of the American Academy of Pediatrics Emerging Leader in Adolescent Health Award and the International Association for Adolescent Health Young Professionals Prize. He completed graduate studies at the University of Oxford, a medical doctorate at the University of California, and Pediatrics residency training at Stanford University. 

 

Matthew Meyers, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor

Matthew Meyers, MD, MPH, (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Dr. Meyers earned his medical degree from the Commonwealth Medical College and completed his residency training at Boston Children's Hospital of Harvard Medical School and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital of Stanford University School. He received a Masters of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Health from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

Chelsea Garnett, MD

Assistant Professor

Chelsea Garnett, MD (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Dr. Garnett received her medical degree from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed her training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (pediatric residency) and UCSF (adolescent medicine fellowship). She is a fellow of the American Academic of Pediatrics (FAAP) and a member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM).

Amanda Bryson, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor

Dr. Amanda Bryson (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics. She earned a medical degree at Penn State College of Medicine and a master's in public health degree at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She completed her residency in Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital/Boston Medical Center and fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital. Dr. Bryson is especially interested in the intersection of eating disorders and reproductive health issues. She is a member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and the Society of Family Planning.

Anita Chaphekar, DO

Fellow

Anita Chaphekar, DO (she/her/hers) is a clinical fellow in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and a trainee in the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) program. Dr. Chaphekar received her medical degree from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her pediatric residency training and chief residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She is a member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

 

Caroline Nguyen, MD

Fellow

Caroline Nguyen, MD (she/her/hers) is a clinical fellow in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and a trainee in the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) program. Caroline received her medical degree at the University of Colorado and completed her Internal Medicine Primary Care residency training at UCSF. Caroline’s clinical interests include primary care, substance use, sexual and reproductive care, and caring for marginalized populations. She is interested in medical education, and especially scholarship aimed at making education more equitable and inclusive. 

 

Michelle Odette, MD

Fellow

Michelle Odette, MD (she/her/hers) is a clinical fellow in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and a trainee in the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) program. Dr. Odette received her medical degree from the Eastern Virginia Medical School and completed her pediatric residency training at University of California, Davis. She is a member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Michelle’s clinical interests include anxiety/depression, suicide prevention, and eating disorders with a focus on binge eating disorder. She is interested in quality improvement and in optimizing EHR experience for providers/patients.

Julia Raney, MD

Fellow

Julia Raney, MD (she/her/hers) is a clinical fellow in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and a trainee in the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) program. Dr. Raney earned her medical degree from Yale School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University. Her clinical interests include adolescent mental health and eating disorders.

 

Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS

Fellow

Anoushka Sinha, MD, MS (she/her/hers) is a clinical fellow in the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and a trainee in the Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) program. Dr. Sinha received her medical degree, master's degree in narrative medicine, and pediatric residency training at Columbia University. She is a member of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Anoushka’s clinical interests include building the arts and humanities into medical education and practice, caring for and empowering underserved populations, integrating mental health care into primary care, and optimizing transitions to adulthood.

 

Nai C. Saechao, MA

Patient Navigator

Nai (she/her) has over 15 years of experience as a Medical Assistant and assists with daily patient care whether in clinic, telephone, or through Mychart. 

 

Sonia Osorio, MA

Medical Assistant

Sonia (she/her) works as a Medical Assistant in our clinic to provide patient care such as vitals checks, telephone support, and assistance through MyChart. 

 

Sue Chan, MA

Medical Assistant

Sue (she/her) works as a Medical Assistant in our clinic to provide patient care such as vitals checks, telephone support, and assistance through MyChart. 

 

Caroline Gregerson

Practice Coordinator 

Caroline (she/her) provides patient support by orienting families when they arrive to our clinic, collecting necessary forms and insurance documentation, scheduling appointments, and answering questions via MyChart.

 

Charles E. Irwin, Jr., MD

Distinguised Professor of Pediatrics; Chief, Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine; Director of Health Policy, Department of Pediatrics

Charles E. Irwin, Jr., M.D. is the Project Director for the Adolescent and Young Adult Health (AYAH) National Resource Center, and Co-Principal Investigator for the AYAH Research Network.  He is also a Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Director of the Division of Adolescent & Young Adult Medicine, and Director of Health Policy in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine and the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.  He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Adolescent Health, the official journal of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM).

Dr. Irwin is a graduate of Hobart College, Dartmouth Medical School and UCSF.  His current health services research program focuses on improving preventive screening practices in clinical settings and the financial and structural issues altering adolescents' and young adults' ability to access health care in the United States.  He has received numerous awards including the Society for Adolescent Medicine’s Outstanding Achievement Award, the American Academy of Pediatrics Adele D. Hofmann Award in Adolescent Medicine, the Swedish Medical Society’s Lectureship Award, the National Center for Youth Law’s Annual Award for Improving the Lives of At Risk Youth, the Society for Adolescent Medicine’s Hillary E.C. Millar Award for innovative Approaches to Adolescent Health Care, and most recently he received the SAHM’s Iris Litt Research Professorship Award.  He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles and several chapters in medical textbooks.  He served as the first Chairman of the Subspecialty Board in Adolescent Medicine of the American Board of Pediatrics, Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council on Healthcare Research and Quality Subcommittee on Quality Measures for Children’s Healthcare, President of The Society for Adolescent Medicine, and as a member of the Executive Council of the Section of Adolescent Health of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  He has served on the Institute of Medicine/ National Academies Committee on the Health, Well-Being and Safety of Young Adults, the Committee on Improving the Health Care Services for Adolescents, and the Committee that wrote Losing Generations: Adolescents in High Risk Settings.