UCSF Fresno’s success and growth are a direct result of the dedication and inspiration of our faculty, staff, residents, fellows, students, alumni, partners, donors and friends. In each issue of Focus on UCSF Fresno, we introduce you to the people who contribute to the greatness of UCSF Fresno through informal interviews.
This month, meet Summer Connery, Continuing Medical Education and Events Specialist, at the UCSF School of Medicine Fresno Regional Campus:
What is your name? Nickname?
Summer, Sum, Summy, Sum Sum, you name it!
What is your hometown? Where did you go to school? High School? Undergrad? What were your majors?
I grew up in Clovis, California, where I attended Clovis High School. After I graduated, I attended the Fresno City College Honors program before moving to San Diego with friends, where I attended California State University, San Marcos. I dabbled in Fashion Merchandising before deciding to become a Communication Major. I then moved to San Francisco where I lived for 10 years before returning to the Central Valley.
What is your title and role at UCSF Fresno? How long have you been in this role?
I have been the Continuing Medical Education Events Specialist since 2019, though my role has expanded to include community events such as the Women’s Heart Fair and Liver Expo; Office of Health Career Pathways events (e.g. Mini Med School and Reaching Out to Aspiring Doctors conferences); UCSF Fresno 101 for Public Affairs, Communications and Government Relations; and campuswide events such as commencement, and student outreach.
Why did this position and UCSF Fresno appeal to you?
My career has included many years as a social worker, and more recently, I worked in business development and education in the legal field. When I was looking to grow my career, I wanted to get back to giving back. I knew that finding an organization that was passionate about bettering communities was at the top of my list. I had my eye on a position at UCSF in San Francisco before I realized that I might be able to work for a progressive institution like UCSF while coming back to be near my family in Fresno. I was lucky enough to join the team here over 5 years ago and I have been thrilled to be a part of the mission here locally.
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?
The most challenging aspect has been the ongoing pursuit of growth with a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program that works for our faculty and departments here in Fresno. Our program is the leader in CME in the Central Valley, and we always want to provide new and exciting content for our local physicians. Some of the most rewarding aspects of the position have involved community-based events. It feels incredible to be able to provide free access to education and preventative care for our event attendees.
What is at the top of your professional to-do list right now? What is at the top of your personal to-do list?
Professionally, I would like to continue to expand my role at UCSF Fresno to include larger projects that benefit the institution. I believe strongly in the education and experiences that we provide to our learners and would like to help UCSF Fresno grow and become more of a household name in the Central Valley. Personally, I would like to attend a culinary school in a foreign country, because a girl can dream.
The zombie apocalypse is coming. Who would you pick from UCSF Fresno to be on your team and why?
That would have to be Virginia Coningsby (UCSF Fresno Department of Emergency Medicine) because she is unbelievably organized. She would bring the good snacks from Sam's Deli, and having her there to make me laugh would make an apocalypse way more fun!
What do you like to do in your off time?
I love to cook and entertain, travel the world with my husband Andy, play with my two cats Skitters and Freja, and get outside for some hiking or camping.
What is the most important thing you would like people to know about you? Or what else would you like to add about you, your background, family, or career?
I value having fun as much as I value being taken seriously. I can be goofy, but my role and career at UCSF Fresno is something I am proud of and don't take lightly. I also think it is incredibly important to encourage others and make them feel proud of the work that they do. I am a firm believer that you can be a woo-er and a do-er.
