Story #102: Tina Shih, CHAP Alum and Medical Educator at UCSF

Dr. Tina Shih ‘92 is a neurologist and medical educator at the UCSF Epilepsy Center, where she specializes in care for elderly patients with epilepsy, particularly those with drug-resistant seizures or undergoing epilepsy surgery. Her expertise extends to addressing psychiatric conditions related to epilepsy, an often overlooked aspect of the disease. After earning her medical degree from Stanford University and completing an internship at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Shih advanced her training with a residency in neurology at Columbia University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in epilepsy at the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Her research focuses on the use of antiepileptic drugs in nursing homes and exploring racial and ethnic disparities in epilepsy care. Throughout her career, Shih has been a passionate advocate for patient-centered care, striving to improve both the clinical and educational aspects of the medical field.

Shih’s journey in healthcare was deeply influenced by her time as a volunteer with PBHA during her undergraduate years at Harvard College. Working with Boston’s Chinatown youth, Dr. Shih was exposed to the unique challenges faced by Asian American communities—a formative experience that shaped her understanding of advocacy. As she shared in PBHA’s 2023 Alumni Survey:

"PBHA inspired me to remain active in tutoring, teaching, and education for the past 30 years…I became a medical educator (teaching medical students and residents/fellows in neurology) because I wanted to change medical education from within medical schools.” - Tina Shih

Shih further recalls the profound lessons in empathy and leadership that continue to guide her medical practice today.

"I learned the importance of having empathy for others' lived experiences." - Tina Shih

Finally, she recalls so vividly the most inspiring part of PBHA—the people.

“What stands out to me is amazing leadership on the programmatic level. I became acquainted with several wonderful people whom I would never have had the opportunity of knowing without PBHA.” - Tina Shih

As a neurologist, Shih's ability to approach patient care with deep understanding and compassion reflects values she learned as a PBHA volunteer—values that continue to inspire her work both in the clinic and in the classroom. PBHA is so proud of the amazing work Dr. Shih has done as an educator in medicine!