Field
Psychiatry
Project Description
Kindness in academic and professional settings is often undervalued, yet it plays a crucial role in fostering inclusive, psychologically safe, and high-functioning institutions. Our project advances the scholarly study of kindness by demonstrating its tangible effects on institutional culture through Restorative Practices in Academic Medicine (RPAM). In environments where power dynamics and systemic barriers create spaces vulnerable for harm, RPAM offers a structured approach to strengthening relationships, increasing trust, and promoting empathetic engagement.
Team
Eraka Bath, Olivia Diaz, Monique Trinh, Deborah Lehman, Xavier Cagigas
Dr. Eraka Bath is board-certified in child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatry. She is an associate professor in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in the David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Bath specializes in diagnostic assessment and forensic consultation with adolescents, with an emphasis on high- risk youth, including those with histories of trauma, juvenile delinquency and foster-care placement. She has served as the psychiatrist appointed to the Los Angeles County Juvenile Mental Health Court (JMHC), has developed partnerships with the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court system, and consults and provides training to the Delinquency Court System. In addition to maintaining a private practice focused on forensic consultation to attorneys and governmental agencies, she is also an attending psychiatrist to the Westside Regional Center, where she treats individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum, and developmental disorders. Her research focus is on at-risk youth population in juvenile justice and foster care settings. Dr. Bath has a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as an M.D. from the Howard University College of Medicine. She completed her child-psychiatry and forensic training at the NYU School of Medicine.
Olivia Diaz is a highly accomplished professional with a strong background in project management. She is a first-generation student who graduated from UCLA in 2012 with a major in Bioanthropology. For the past 12 years, Olivia has been an invaluable member of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, where she has provided support to various subdivisions and programs throughout her time. Most recently, she provided project management support for the informatics division within the department, ensuring smooth operations and efficient implementation of IT projects and collaborations. Olivia is currently an Administrative Manager focused on the department’s inclusion efforts. In this role, she actively promotes and supports initiatives that foster a diverse and inclusive work environment. Olivia is an avid advocate for community engagement and volunteerism. She services as Co- Chair for La Comunidad, UCLA Health’s Affinity Group for the Latinx Community. She’s also plays a pivotal role in the Restorative Practices in Academic Medicine efforts—an initiative supported by the Dean’s Office of Inclusive Excellence at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
Monique Trinh is a first-generation student and professional who has worked at UCLA Health since 2011. She joined Pathology & Laboratory Medicine in June 2022 as the inaugural Program Manager for Quality Improvement, Laboratory Stewardship, and EDI. Monique obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from UCR and her Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from UCLA. She is passionate about advancing health equity through patient- centered care and has spent her career identifying the root causes of challenges to implement innovative and sustainable changes benefitting patients, faculty, trainees, and staff. In her free time, Monique loves to volunteer, serving as a leader for UCLA affinity groups and initiatives such as InspirASIAN, Asian American Pacific Islander Alliance, and Restorative Justice in Academic Medicine, and a peer mentor for the Staff Enrichment Program and Professional Development Program.
Deborah Lehman, MD, is Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at DGSOM, leading the Levamentum Society. She is also Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Pediatrics, overseeing all pediatric clinical experiences for medical students. Dr. Lehman received her medical degree at UCLA and completed pediatric and pediatric infectious diseases training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and UCSF, respectively. She is the recipient of multiple teaching awards during her time as a pediatric infectious disease specialist and pediatric educator. Her special interests include congenital infections, vaccine hesitancy, and medical education. Dr. Lehman is an editor of Journal Watch Infectious Diseases and is a senior editor for NEJM Knowledge Plus, an adaptive learning platform.
Dr. Xavier Cagigas serves as Associate Director of the HNCE and Co-director of the Cultural Neuropsychology Program. Dr. Cagigas is the Founding Director of the UCLA Cultural Neuropsychology Initiative, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, the former Director of Clinical Services & Training of the UCLA Medical Psychology Assessment Center (MPAC), and Immediate-Past President of the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society.