Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Title of entry: UCSF Magazine

About this entry: UCSF Magazine brings biomedical discovery to life through stories people can understand and genuinely care about. Our primary audience is alumni and donors — many of them grateful patients — as well as faculty and friends of the university. As one of the nation’s leading institutions devoted exclusively to health sciences, UCSF drives advances that influence patient care and public health worldwide. The magazine serves as a bridge between that work and the communities that support it.

Our goal is to deepen readers’ understanding of UCSF’s impact and strengthen their confidence in the institution. Through narrative journalism and visual storytelling, we show not only what was discovered, but how it changes treatment and lives.

In Summer and Winter 2025, for example, we examined the hidden health effects of microplastics in the human body, explored how inherited Neanderthal DNA may shape modern disease risk, and reported on practical science — from preparing for healthy aging to strengthening brain health through music. Each story connected rigorous reporting with everyday relevance.

We see the impact in meaningful ways. Faculty tell us that coverage sparks new media inquiries and professional connections. Articles are shared at conferences and requested for reprint. Readers — from patients to aspiring physicians — write with their appreciation. Increasingly, faculty approach us with ideas, reflecting the magazine’s growing role as a trusted platform for showcasing UCSF’s innovation in research and care. Our online readership continues to expand.