Allison Larsen, using the pronouns she/her, has been an integral part of UCSF since 2019. She holds the title of IT Chief of Staff and Director of IT Operations & Strategy within the Information Technology department. In her current role, Allison partners with senior IT and UCSF mission leaders to design and deliver programs that optimize the IT division's resources and impact. Her efforts support UCSF's top priorities across health, research, and education. Allison is responsible for assessing and improving existing programs while initiating new ones in support of the AVC/CIO's agenda. She leads the Office of the CIO, encompassing IT Administration, IT Finance, IT Communications, IT PMO, and IT Portfolio Management teams, all contributing to these overarching objectives.
Allison is particularly excited about UCSF's recognition of the need to invest in business infrastructure. After years of rapid expansion, the university is focusing on connecting its work more logically to broader organizational priorities. This initiative aims to support staff, learners, and clinicians with the necessary tools to optimize their daily work, a change that Allison eagerly anticipates.
When asked about future technological advances, Allison has no hesitation: AI. She believes AI will fundamentally change the nature of work and the methods by which it is carried out, bringing rapid and significant transformations.
One person Allison greatly admires in the technology space is Don Simborg, a former UCSF physician and pioneer of the original Electronic Health Record (EHR) movement. Early in her career, Allison worked for Don, who exhibited an unwavering vision and the determination needed to drive the industry forward. Now retired, Don focuses on how AI may impact humanity, continuing to inspire Allison with his forward-thinking approach.
For colleagues looking to grow their careers at UCSF or in the technology space, Allison offers invaluable advice: "Connect your work to the organization's goals. Take the time to figure out that connection and to ask questions about it. This organization prizes good ideas - make yours known." Her emphasis on alignment and curiosity highlights the importance of understanding how one's contributions fit into the bigger picture, and the value of voicing innovative ideas.
Allison Larsen’s journey and insights serve as an inspiration for those navigating the dynamic intersection of IT and healthcare at UCSF. Her commitment to aligning IT strategies with organizational goals underscores the critical role of technology in advancing the university’s mission.
