University of California Health welcomes Dr. Anne Foster as chief clinical officer
March 8, 2021 •
Dr. Anne Foster, Chief Clinical Officer, University of California Health
The University of California Health (UCH) is pleased to announce that Dr. Anne Foster joined the leadership team in the newly created role of chief clinical officer on March 4, 2021. This appointment brings Foster back to UC: She obtained her Master of Public Health degree from UC Berkeley and held academic appointments in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF.
Most recently, Dr. Foster was chief medical officer and medical director for Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center in New Mexico. Previously, she served as chief medical officer for New Mexico’s Medicaid program, implementing clinical aspects of the Affordable Care Act and working as part of a team redesigning and expanding the state’s Medicaid program, which has since grown to serve 915,000 clients.
Dr. Foster’s focus at UCH will be developing, implementing, monitoring and updating systemwide clinical initiatives to ensure continued alignment of programs with the strategic goals, values and plans of the system and its health campuses. The role incorporates the use of complex data sets and population health strategies to improve care statewide. She reports to UCH Executive Vice President Dr. Carrie L. Byington.
Dr. Foster’s portfolio includes systemwide initiatives, such as consortia working to address health needs in the areas of cancer, mental health and virtual care. She will lead initiatives related to student health and oversee the quality and population health management program, which uses data analytics to help UC academic health centers continually improve overall quality and manage patient care to drive positive outcomes.
“UCH aspires to improve the health of all Californians and to support health equity by eliminating health disparities,” said Dr. Byington. “Health care is rapidly evolving, and there is an enormous benefit to using data analytics to inform health-related research and to improve patient outcomes and care. Dr. Foster is the ideal person to champion and advance our existing programs. Her prior work with vulnerable populations and knowledge of the Medicaid system ensures that health equity will remain at the forefront of our actions.”
Dr. Foster’s career has been greatly influenced by her childhood in New Mexico with Native American and Hispanic/Latinx communities, and her time as an exchange student in South Africa during apartheid. While at UCSF she developed and implemented multiple programs in global women’s health, health policy and reform. Her career has focused on improving health equity and assuring access to high-quality care for all communities. “I am honored to return to the University of California, to join an exceptional and dedicated team of colleagues across the state, advancing the mission of UC health and improving the health of our communities,” says Dr. Foster.
Dr. Foster earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from UC Berkeley. She completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at UCSF. She also completed an American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Women’s Health Policy Fellowship and a Kellogg Fellowship in Social Disparities in Health.
About University of California Health
University of California Health (UCH) comprises six academic health centers, 20 health professional schools, a Global Health Institute and systemwide services that improve the health of patients and the University’s students, faculty and employees. All of UC’s hospitals are ranked among the best in California and its medical schools and health professional schools are nationally ranked in their respective areas. Read more information and news from UCH.
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