Q & A with Dr. Adrienne Green

Why did you choose to be a doctor?  

As a student, I always knew that I wanted to do something in the sciences. I spent a few years after college doing bench research in an immunology lab. While it was important, fascinating work, it confirmed for me that I was better suited for a career in medicine. Being a doctor includes not only the cognitive work of making diagnoses and treatment decisions but also the privilege of supporting patients at incredibly vulnerable and impactful times in their lives.  

What draws you now to work with older adults?  

As a hospitalist, much of one’s work is with the elderly. I developed a strong interest in geriatrics early in my career. I had an early opportunity to provide care in a skilled nursing environment, which helped me to better understand the challenging journey across the care continuum that our elderly patients experience. While we’ve made many improvements over the years there is still much opportunity in this domain.  

Why are you excited to join a faith-based, Jewish institution?  

I am excited to work in a place where organizational values and my personal values will align. I’ve observed this firsthand as an SFCJL board member, particularly during the pandemic. Upholding those core values allows SFCJL to provide exceptional care and a living experience not only for the Jewish community but for the whole, diverse, community that we embrace in San Francisco.   

What do you think is the biggest change or challenge in senior healthcare?  

The simple answer right now would be to say that finances and staffing are the primary challenges.  While true, I think it is more important for us to ask: What do seniors of the 21st century need and want in senior care? Our current care models were developed for my grandparents’ generation; we’re going to need to shift our thinking as the baby boomers and subsequent generations age into senior care.  Developing a strategic plan with the SFCJL board and leadership team will be a priority as I get settled into this role.   

Can you share about an older adult who has inspired you during your life?  

It would be hard to pinpoint just one. I’ve had the privilege of caring for many inspiring elderly patients, some older than 100. I love learning from their life stories and watching the way they care for those around them, even at the most challenging of times. I’m fortunate to have had a grandmother and an aunt who inspired me with their independence, compassion, and, of course, the ability to seamlessly host a Jewish holiday dinner well into their 80s and 90s.   

What do you do when you’re not working?  

You will find me out hiking with family and friends, learning to play pickleball, trying a new recipe or reading a good book. 

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Announcement from the Board of Trustees

May 30, 2023

To Our Community:

The Board of Trustees is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Adrienne Green as the new Chief Executive Officer of the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living. She will begin leading our 150-year-old institution on July 18.

Dr. Green most recently served as the Chief Medical Officer for Adult Services and Vice President for Regulatory and Medical Affairs at UCSF Health for eight years. She is board-certified in internal medicine and has practiced as a hospitalist at UCSF since 1998. Adrienne’s interest in the skilled nursing space started early in her career when she cared for patients in the skilled nursing unit at Mount Zion Hospital. She has been involved with the SFCJL since 2014, and until her appointment as CEO, Dr. Green was a member of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Green grew up in Portland, Oregon and received her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University. She attended the Hahnemann University School of Medicine, now part of Drexel University College of Medicine, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Stanford University. She lives in San Francisco with her family.

“As a Trustee of the Board, I have come to not only admire the care provided at SFCJL, but also to find myself more invested in all components of the organization,” Green said. “As a physician, as an engaged member of our Jewish community, and as someone who cares deeply about our elderly patients and staff who work in senior care, I am inspired and motivated by this opportunity. It brings my passion, training, and expertise together in a most meaningful way.”

In the fall, our donors and partners will be invited to meet with Dr. Green so that they can hear her vision for the future and learn more about how we care for our 500 residents and patients. We look forward to seeing you then (in person or virtually).

The Trustees and staff thank Mary Connick, current CFO, who has served as the interim CEO for the past 18 months; her dedication, guidance, and steady hand are deeply appreciated.

Thank you for being part of our community, where all people age with dignity, respect, and joy.

Sincerely,

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