Harold S. Luft Award for Mentoring in
Health Services and Health Policy Research

The Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies is delighted to announce that
Lisa A. Bero, PhD, has been selected as the first recipient of the Harold S. Luft Award for Mentoring in Health Services and Health Policy Research.

The award was established in 2008 in honor of Harold S. Luft, PhD, Caldwell B. Esselystyn Professor Emeritus of Health Policy and Health Economics, who served as director of the Institute from 1993 to 2007 and has been an exemplary mentor commited to training future health services and health policy leaders. He continues this commitment in his current role as director of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute and in his UCSF emeritus role.

1. Inspires and stimulates mentees to do their best and most creative work.
2. Expands mentees’ ways of thinking by fostering an appreciation of different points of view.
3. Develops career opportunities for mentees.
4. Creates communities of learners and maintains life-long contact with mentees.
5. Serves as a role model in leadership, professionalism, integrity and life balance.

Excerpts from letters nominating Dr. Bero for the Luft mentoring award

“Although I was completely unfamiliar with the field of health policy research, I was drawn to this project because of Lisa’s enthusiasm and the potential implications of the findings. …her guidance, supervision and mentorship enabled me to answer novel research questions in health policy using new research methods. I was now motivated to pursue an academic, research-based career in clinical pharmacy with an emphasis in health policy and evidence-based healthcare.”

At the outset “we mapped out a realistic timeline for accomplishing the project, outlined the manuscripts for publication, discussed the professional conferences I should attend to develop visibility, and considered long-term career options.”

“She encouraged me to take the lead on the project and to see myself as an equal partner in its success. She insisted I be first author on publications coming out of the project …”

She is “unfailing in her efforts to promote the career interests of her mentees—as a speaker, author, peer reviewer, or expert in the field…” “She has always recommended me as her equal, thus helping me to establish an international reputation at a relatively early stage in my career.”

“Where some mentors might have disparaged a mentee moving to an administrative-academic position, she continues to support my career…”

Lisa often give talks to fellows “about how to develop a research agenda … and about “work-life balance …” These talks reflect her commitment to the idea that academics can be good researchers and also have outside interests, including families.”

“Her commitment … does not end when fellows leave UCSF or move to faculty positions; she is always available to supply feedback, guidance, and in some cases share research funding.”