William Hua

William Hua, PhD is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. He serves as Division Director of the Alliance Health Project (AHP), a community-based program for HIV and LGBTQ+ communities that provides behavioral health, sexual health, and case management services. Dr. Hua previously worked for over a decade as a clinical health psychologist at the San Francisco VA Health Care System, focusing on integrated care for Veterans living with HIV and liver conditions.

• PhD in Clinical Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine from University of North Texas (2012)
• BS in Psychology from Oklahoma State University (2006)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training from UCSF (2017)

Dr. Hua's research focuses on culturally competent care for marginalized populations, particularly HIV and LGBTQ+ communities. His work emphasizes integrated behavioral health approaches, acceptance and commitment therapy, and addressing health disparities through diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. He has developed expertise in interdisciplinary care models that address complex health conditions including chronic pain, substance use disorders, and mental health conditions among vulnerable populations.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on veteran health, HIV care, and integrated behavioral treatments. The research trends show consistent attention to culturally affirming approaches for HIV-positive veterans, interventions for substance use disorders, and addressing complicated grief and mental health difficulties. His work bridges clinical psychology with medical care, particularly in gastroenterology, pain management, and addiction medicine contexts.

• Oklahoma State University College of Arts & Sciences Early Career Alumni Hall of Fame (2016)
• San Francisco Federal Executive Board Federal Employee of the Year (2016)
• APA Division 18 VA Section Award for Outstanding Supervisor (2017)
• Association of VA Psychologist Leaders James Besyner Early Career Award (2018)
• University of San Francisco Distinguished Adjunct Teaching Award (2021)
• UCSF AIDS Research Institute Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award (2024)

Dr. Hua actively contributes to training healthcare providers through his leadership at the Alliance Health Project and his role as an educator at UCSF. He has co-authored a DEIB-focused hiring toolkit that became a national model across the VA system and served as Chair of the Psychology Diversity Committee. His grant work includes participation in the POSITIVE trial examining integrated behavioral treatment for veterans with co-occurring chronic pain and opioid use disorder.

As Division Director of the Alliance Health Project, Dr. Hua leads a comprehensive program offering behavioral health services, sexual health support, and case management specifically tailored for HIV and LGBTQ+ communities. He previously co-founded Here to Hope, a non-profit that provided HIV education and prevention services in Guyana from 2009-2019. His leadership extends to developing the IDCaRe team, an integrated and culturally-affirming approach to improving health engagement for HIV-positive veterans.