Denise Davis

Denise Davis, MD is a Professor and Associate Director for Faculty Development at the Center of Excellence in Primary Care Education at the San Francisco VA. She specializes in health professions education, focusing on communication skills, feedback, mentorship, and fostering inclusive learning environments. Her work emphasizes improving patient experience through effective clinical communication and addressing systemic inequities in healthcare education.

Education:

• BA/MD Program, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (1981-1986)
• Internal Medicine Residency, Kaiser Foundation Hospital (1989)
• American Academy on Communication in Healthcare Residency (2010)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training, UC Faculty Development (2017)

Research Interests: Dr. Davis investigates communication strategies to enhance clinical teamwork, reduce workplace discrimination, and promote diversity in medical training. She designs curricula addressing professional identity formation and cultural competency, with a focus on marginalized communities. Her work bridges communication theory with practical applications in high-stress clinical environments.

Awards:

• 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award (Academy on Communication in Healthcare)
• 2018 Martin Luther King Leadership Award (UCSF)
• 2013 Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society

Grants & Leadership: Leads initiatives on racial trauma protocols in medical schools and peer support ambassador programs. Facilitates retreats for interprofessional teams and advises on institutional culture change. Her work is supported by UCSF and VA grants focused on educational equity.

Labs/Teams: Central to the San Francisco VA’s Primary Care Education Center, collaborating with the UCSF Department of Family & Community Medicine and national medical education consortia.