Vivian YipBack to Member List

Vivian is standing in the middle of the frame, smiling at the camera. She is wearing her Berkeley graduation stole over her white dress in front of a white building.

Pronouns:

She/Her

Position Titler:

Street Overdose Response Team Coordinator

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in La Mirada, California, I and currently live in Berkeley, CA, where I moved to about 5 years ago. 

Why did you decide to join NHC?

I decided to join NHC because its mission closely aligns with my values and interests, and I wanted to be a part of a system and space that strives to invest in local communities. My undergrad studies as a Biology and Social Welfare major, along with my experiences as a volunteer at county hospitals and mutual aid organizations, were influential in the development of my interest in public health advocacy, as well as my understanding of the intersection between social welfare, public health, and medicine. While medicine is one aspect of improving quality of health, I realized that meeting people where they are at, providing basic social needs support, and addressing barriers to healthcare access were also essential in fostering healthy communities. Thus, serving in NHC specifically stood out to me because I knew that I would be in a space that pushes me towards my values and interests in bridging healthcare gaps, while also addressing social determinants of health that underlie many health disparities.

What are you hoping to gain or learn during your service term?

During my service term, I hope to continue growing as a leader, public health advocate, and person. Through serving at NHC and SFDPH, I want to learn more about public health and medicine through the lens and knowledge of existing and past leaders in this field, while also developing skills to better advocate for patient needs. I am excited to learn more about local organizations and public resources in the area that are also working towards addressing the social needs and health of community members.

As an aspiring physician, I am also looking forward to gaining insight into how my future roles fit into fostering a system where the health and social needs of folks are met, as well as how community-based work can be incorporated into healthcare. In my service term, I hope to continue growing as a person and learning more about myself through interfacing with diverse communities and working with interdisciplinary teams.

What are you most looking forward to during your service term?

I am really excited to build community and form relationships with other members in my cohort and fellow staff members at WPIC, as well as getting to know and learn from local community members within San Francisco. Being in the city has always energized me, so I’m also looking forward to exploring all the local shops, food, culture, nature, and sights that San Francisco has to offer!