Elizabeth Lancaster, M.D. and Rachelle Bresnahan Honored with UCSF Excellence and Innovation Awards in Graduate Medical Education

General surgery resident Elizabeth Lancaster, M.D. and Surgery Education Office Administrative Director Rachelle Bresnahan each received the UCSF Excellence and Innovation Award in Graduate Medical Education (2019-20) at a virtual GME reception on June 15th.

Award recipients have demonstrated a commitment to advancing graduate medical education at UCSF through educational and clinical quality improvement, service excellence, and innovation, and have demonstrated excellence in: 

• Educational leadership at UCSF or nationally;
• Participation in innovative GME-related projects;
• Extraordinary efforts to address resident/fellow needs and well-being;
• Other contributions to improving graduate medical education at UCSF or nationally
  

Dr. Lancaster was awarded for her work on opioid stewardship with the goals of establishing non opioid analgesia as the first line pain management approach and providing evidence based opioid quantities to patients on discharge following common general surgery operations.Throughout the year, the systematic and educational interventions spearheaded by Dr. Lancaster resulted in a dramatic decrease in the overall quantity of opioids prescribed.

Ms. Bresnahan was recognized for her extraordinary efforts in ensuring resident and fellow well-being in the Department of Surgery. Known as the Education Office "Tiger Mom", her sincere compassion and interest in the lives of surgery trainees has created an atmosphere of safety and caring as they pursue personal well-being and professional excellence. In the words of General Surgery Residency Program Director Linda Reilly, M.D., "Rachelle recognizes the key role of the Education Office in supporting the goals of the Program by supporting the residents."