We are launching a new, upcoming initiative funded by the UCSF Academic Senate Community Building Fund to strengthen connection, resilience, and collaboration across faculty. This program will bring together faculty from the Institute for Health & Aging, the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, and the broader UCSF community through a series of comedic improvisation workshops. These sessions are designed to create a supportive, low-pressure space where participants can engage with colleagues outside of typical clinical and research environments.

The workshops will be led by professional instructors from Mindless, Inc. and will include interactive exercises that emphasize active listening, adaptability, and collaborative thinking. Through structured improv activities, participants will build skills in communication, empathy, and teamwork while also reducing stress and fostering a sense of community. By creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary interaction and shared creative experience, this program aims to strengthen collegial relationships and contribute to a more connected and resilient academic environment at UCSF

Sessions are anticipated to take place in Fall 2026 (TBD) in a hybrid (online and in-person) format!