The W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Podcast

In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of healthcare and DV advocacy. Today’s discussion features Hannah Decker a general surgeon-in-training and National Clinician Scholar at UCSF and Dr. Tasce Bongiovanni an acute care and trauma surgeon and critical care specialist. Through their research, they have been working on a screening program designed to support survivors by integrating trauma-informed screenings into surgical and medical settings, ensuring that those experiencing intimate partner violence receive the care and resources they need. Hannah Decker is a general surgeon-in-training and National Clinician Scholar at UCSF. She is passionate about advancing health equity and access to high-quality surgical care for all patients, particularly Veterans, those from marginalized backgrounds, and those who have experienced trauma. She has helped to design and lead a screening program for intimate partner violence in injured patients at Zuckerburg San Francisco General Hospital since 2019.  And here are some links to the academic work we have published on this project! https://www.journalofsurgicalresearch.com/article/S0022-4804(21)00319-X/abstract [https://www.journalofsurgicalresearch.com/article/S0022-4804(21)00319-X/abstract] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38064979/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38064979/] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39174441/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39174441/] The American College of Surgeons Guidelines on Surgeons' Role in Intimate Partner Violence:  https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/professional-growth-and-wellness/ipv/ [https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/professional-growth-and-wellness/ipv/] Dr. Tasce Bongiovanni is an acute care and trauma surgeon and critical care specialist. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at University of California, San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital. She provides care for patients with acute surgical needs, who are critically ill, and who experience traumatic injuries. Dr. Bongiovanni has a particular focus on improving hospital and discharge care for patients who have presented to the hospital with an emergency surgical or traumatic injury, especially older adults from marginalized communities. Her research seeks not only to better understand disparities among older adults, but also to actively address them through implementation science.

Final Episode of the SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. In this final episode of our six-part series, we feature an important internal discussion with the dedicated team at Woman Inc. As we recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this episode serves as a powerful reminder of the critical need to support survivors and reinforce that they are never at fault for the abuse inflicted on them. The Woman Inc. team shares insights and reflections on their ongoing efforts to ensure that survivors have access to the support and resources they need. This conversation highlights the significance of creating a safe space for open dialogue within the organization, emphasizing the collective responsibility we share in addressing domestic violence and advocating for survivors. As we conclude this impactful series, we encourage our listeners to reflect on how we can all contribute to a community that uplifts and supports those affected by domestic violence. Woman Inc's Website. [https://www.womaninc.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmt24BhDPARIsAJFYKk1W5vVnUJrC8wYZR3Im7aI0ToQn5c8DRPB76t1YsRdNQmw8TzTAmtQaAolWEALw_wcB]

This is the 5th episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion with Saara Ahmed and Su Young Jung of Asian Women’s Shelter (AWS). This episode is a stern reminder that although we have organizations we regularly work with; we don’t always know the various ways our partner organizations show up for the community. AWS is a huge resource for language accessibility in the SF area, they are providing a need they see the community needs, which is so important in DV work. Su Young Jung (She/Her) Associate Director has had a steadfast commitment spanning 15 years, Su Young Jung has dedicated her professional journey to advocating for and supporting survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Currently serving as Associate Director overseeing direct services at the Asian Women's Shelter, Su Young has been actively involved in developing and implementing programs that prioritize the safety, well-being, and empowerment of survivors. Su Young holds a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from City College of New York and Master of Public Administration from Columbia University. Saara Ahmed Communications and Community Engagement Specialist Asian Women's Shelter Saara believes in the power of shifting culture to eradicate inequality and violence. She has advocated for survivors for over 15 years, including through community based approaches and prevention campaigns. Saara brings her previous experiences as an activist and organizer to her work in the domestic violence field by lifting up voices from the community. She has a strong interest in building intersectional approaches to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable. She is currently the Communications and Community Engagement Specialist at Asian Women’s Shelter where she works closely with her team to bring the mission of AWS to our local communities and enhance culturally specific services and language access for survivors in the Bay Area. More on AWS: https://www.sfaws.org [https://www.sfaws.org/]/ Let’s Talk About Us [https://www.letstalkaboutus.org/] campaign

This is the 4th episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion from Ivy Lee & Bobbi Lopez and their preliminary findings from a recent needs assessment, The focus of which was on violence intervention, prevention, and service strategies. Figuring out the ways that institutions and organizations that service the community, can be clear on the directs thoughts and opinions from the community.  Ivy Lee is an attorney whose practice has focused on defending and advancing the rights of survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault. She currently serves as San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed’s Policy Advisor in the areas of public safety and victims’ rights – developing alternatives to a police response, strengthening the effectiveness and accessibility of victim services, and preventing stranger and community violence are priority issues. Prior, Ivy served as the legislative director for San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ President Norman Yee and as Supervisor Jane Kim’s chief of staff. During that tenure, she staffed legislation designed to expand opportunities for marginalized communities, such as the Fair Chance Act to remove unnecessary barriers to stable employment and housing for individuals with criminal convictions; Eviction Protections 2.0 to provide tenants with a chance to resolve petty nuisances with their landlords prior to any eviction action; the Free City College program which established San Francisco’s City College as the first free institution of higher learning in the U.S.; and legislation to fund affordable early care and education for all San Francisco families, including a wage increase for providers.  Barbara "Bobbi" Lopez is a Deputy Director of Violence Prevention in the City and County of San Francisco. She also served Chief of Staff for Oakland Vice-Mayor Rebecca Kaplan and was the former Policy Director for San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim. Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Lopez has spearheaded significant policy initiatives, including the creation of an Oakland charter amendment establishing the Office of Inspector General for police department oversight; the implementation of a civilian response system for non-violent, non-emergency 911 calls; and vigorous advocacy for substantial budgetary allocations towards violence prevention in Oakland. Additionally, she played a pioneering role in establishing the nation's first transgender cultural district and initiated one of the nation’s first governmental task forces aimed at alleviating the disproportionate impact of fees and fines on marginalized communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Prior to her governmental career, Mrs. Lopez dedicated herself to advocating for youth with disabilities and those facing suspensions and expulsions within the San Francisco public school system. She was also instrumental in community development efforts in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, where she founded La Voz Latina, a program fostering leadership and organizing skills among monolingual low-income Latinas. Moreover, she co-founded the Safe Passage program, dedicated to ensuring the safety of children and elders during their journeys to and from schools, after-school programs, and senior centers. Mrs. Lopez also represented unionized civilian employees within police departments in the cities of Emeryville, Fremont, and Oakland, with a focus on enhancing their working conditions. She has previously spoken on panels including a two-day workshop with the Working Families Party, providing policy overviews to newly elected California representatives as well as at a national conference in Washington D.C. on the impacts of homelessness.

This is the 3rd episode of our six-part SF Healing Roots Collaborative Series. It features a discussion on economic justice and some of the major financial obstacles that stand in the way of ending domestic violence. This episode features Destini Davis of Young Community Developers and Rachel West of In Defense of Prostitute Women's Safety Project, and Kali Shebi of San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. Destini Davis Destini Davis, AMFT is the Clinical Coordinator at Young Community Developers. She has been engaged in mental health work in the community for almost 10 years. Destini currently works with groups and individuals engaged in job readiness training. In addition, Destini created and facilitates a healthy relationships group for YCD participants. Kalkidan (Kali) Shebi is the Economic Security Program Manager for the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. Kali also has over 7 years of experience working in the international development space advocating for girls’ and women’s rights, particularly advancing women's economic empowerment. Kali currently serves on the YWCA's (Berkeley/Oakland chapter) Board of Directors supporting the Policy & Programs committee and the Y’s mission of empowering marginalized women and ending racism in the community. Kali's lifelong advocacy for gender equity and economic justice is rooted in her vision to one day have a world where all girls and women, especially those often left behind, can live a life of freedom and prosperity.