Recent events have led me to reflect on pride—not just as a concept, but as a core value. From the pride I felt graduating from nursing school to the pride I take in serving as a nurse here at UCSF, we are all familiar with this deeply personal sense of accomplishment. Today, however, I am considering another form of pride: the pride that comes from being at the pinnacle of excellence, striving to be the best in any endeavor.

This is what I believe our PRIDE values are ultimately about: elevating UCSF to be the best healthcare system in the nation, if not the world. This vision is evident in the ongoing improvements to Parnassus Heights Hospital, where our department has consistently risen to the challenges of a dynamic environment. This success is due to the excellence of our nursing staff, the proficiency of our providers, and the dedication of our ancillary teams. Yet, one critical factor deserves special recognition: leadership.

John Wood is, without question, the best leader I have ever had the privilege of working for. This extends beyond my time as a nurse to my service in the Marine Corps and the Fire Department. John exemplifies the qualities of a leader who inspires both admiration and aspiration. He embodies the distinction between a “leader” and a “boss.”

While John and I have occasionally disagreed—as can happen when labor and management collaborate—I have never once doubted his ethics, his integrity, or his unwavering commitment to making UCSF a true leader in healthcare.

Jacob Roush, CNII, University of California San Francisco ER Nurse

John Wood has always been a strong and consistent supporter of the Parnassus Emergency Department and UCSF as a whole. His leadership has driven numerous initiatives that have measurably improved patient care, operational efficiency, and workplace safety.

Examples of his impact include:

• Reduced average boarding times: A decrease of over two hours when comparing data from FY23 to FY24.
• Lower “left without being seen” rates: A drop from 7.8% in FY23 to 5.6% in FY24, after peaking at 8.2% in FY22 and improving to 5.06% by the end of FY23.
• Rapid Visual Assessment Nurse: This initiative halved door-to-EKG times, enhancing patient care.
• Behavioral staffing and care model improvements: These changes significantly boosted patient satisfaction and reduced workplace violence, evidenced by:
  • Nearly 100% reduction in workers’ compensation claims.
  • 75% decrease in restraint use.
  • 50% reduction in Code 100 activations.

John has been at the forefront of these transformative efforts, and his advocacy, vision, and commitment are woven into the fabric of our department. His contributions have left an indelible mark on this institution and will continue to benefit UCSF for years to come.

When John initially assumed the role of Interim Director, he stayed on during a global crisis to provide stability and leadership when we needed it most. Now, it appears we are prepared to abandon him—not for reasons that align with our mission or values, but based solely on recommendations from a consulting group as part of a “restructuring” effort.

This decision does not reflect the PRIDE values we strive to uphold, either in intent or in message. For this reason, we, the undersigned, stand in full support of John Wood. We express our unwavering confidence in his leadership and our deep concern about this decision.