UHS Executive Team

The UHS Executive Team is our organization-wide leadership team that is made up of managers and directors from each of our units and oversees UHS programs, services, and key initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.

Key work of the UHS Executive Team includes:

Defines vision, organization-wide priorities, and annual goals
Provides input on alignment on major policies, procedures, and expenditures
Encourages collaboration, innovation, and learning by sharing information across functional areas
Serves as the primary steward of the culture of the organization
Champions DEIBJ issues and commitments

	Cory Vu, OD, Associate Vice Chancellor of Health & Wellbeing (He/him/his) Cory Vu joined UC Berkeley as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Health & Wellbeing in 2024. He was previously the Associate Vice Chancellor of Health, Wellness and Divisional Resources at UC Davis for 7 years. Cory completed his Bachelor's Degree in Biology at UC Davis in 1990. In 1994, Cory received his Doctor of Optometry degree from UC Berkeley, School of Optometry. Outside of work, Cory enjoys spending time with his family and 2 dogs. He also enjoys gardening, playing golf, hiking, casual walks around the neighborhood, and cooking. Additional Language: Vietnamese
	Laura Alie, PsyD, Student Mental Health Interim Director (She/They) Laura Alie joined the UHS CAPS team in 2012 as a postdoctoral fellow and was hired as a staff psychologist in 2013. Laura received a BS in Psychology from Texas Woman's University, where she was an intercollegiate athlete, and a doctorate in psychology from John F. Kennedy University. In 2018, Laura received the Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Award at UC Berkeley for her work with queer and TGD communities on campus. In 2019, Laura joined CAPS management as the Assistant Director of High-Risk & Post-Hospital Treatment Programs. In 2026, Laura serves as the interim director for Student Mental Health. Since 2007, Laura has served in multiple roles on the Executive Board of the American Psychological Association's Division 44 (LGBTQ+ Psychology) Before becoming a Psychologist, Laura had a fulfilling career as an organic farmer. Laura still enjoys growing fruits and vegetables in their backyard garden and loves spending time with family and friends outdoors. Laura's dog Charlie always comes along!
	Tami Cate, PR & Communications Manager (She/her/hers) Tami Cate joined the UHS Communications team in 2018. She was previously the Communications Manager at Kaiser Permanente, where she worked on a variety of health care communications programs. Tami is passionate about health care and health promotion and believes that communication plays a big role in helping people access the care and resources they need to be their best. Tami received her BA in Communications and Asian Studies from the University of Arizona. She enjoys spending time with her teenage son, hiking with her border collie/spaniel mix in the East Bay hills and beyond, trying new recipes and restaurants, and traveling.
	Peter Cornish, Director of Clinical Integration & Systems Operations, Health & Wellbeing Peter Cornish is the Director of Clinical Integration & Systems Operations, Health & Wellbeing, and an Honorary Research Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. His clinical and research interests include online mental health, stepped-care treatments, mental health service innovations, and inter-professional team functioning. Over the past five years, Dr. Cornish has provided consultation and on-site training on his Stepped Care 2.0 model to over 150 organizations across North America. His nonprofit company, Stepped Care Solutions, is the lead partner on Wellness Together Canada, a federal COVID-19 $70M mental health program for all people of Canada. Dr. Cornish is the principal investigator for a $1.14M four-year research grant aimed at digitizing and evaluating Stepped Care 2.0 across two Canadian provinces. Currently, he is collaborating with colleagues in the US and Canada on a three-book series on Stepped Care 2.0 to be published by Springer, with the first in the series available now.
	Tyler Crooks, Associate Director of Information Technology Tyler Crooks joined the UHS IT team in January 2019. He started in 2007 as a Business Analyst in the Library Business Services Office. He then transitioned to the field of Health Informatics. In the most recent past, Tyler served as the Health Systems Analyst for the School of Optometry. He enjoys learning about health care systems and how to best utilize technology to improve user experience and take advantage of workflow efficiencies. Tyler received his BS in Business Administration from CSU Monterey Bay and a Master's Degree in Health Informatics from Arizona State University. He was born and raised in the Napa Valley and enjoys volunteering vineyard work at his friend's family winery. Tyler is a new dad and enjoys sharing the Berkeley experience with his young son, who is on campus regularly."
	Bene Gatzert, MPA, Chief Strategy Officer Bene Gatzert joined UHS as a staff member in 1989. Her “first career” was as a health educator in the Health Promotion unit, working directly with students in peer programs and with HIV/AIDS and sexual violence prevention programs. In her “second career” in healthcare administration, she still engages with and learns from students through a number of advisory committees and a liaison role with student government. In her work with UHS and campus colleagues, she loves facilitating discussions, helping teams create solutions to address complex issues, and supporting the organization through change. Bene is also co-chair of the UHS Justice, Inclusion, and Community Committee. Bene received her BA from Berkeley and her MPA from San Francisco State. She has a passion for travel, can be found on wildlife safaris with her wife, and loves reading, yoga, and hiking.
	Anna Harte, MD, Medical Director (she/her/hers) Dr. Anna Harte (née Bloxham) joined UHS in 2001. Dr. Harte was appointed Medical Director in January 2017 after serving as Associate Medical Director from 2011-2016. She received her BA in Music from UC Santa Cruz (1992), her MD from Yale University (1998), and completed her residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at UC San Francisco (2001). Dr. Harte has a special interest in tuberculosis, travel/tropical medicine, primary care, and universal access to quality, evidence-based, and socially responsible healthcare. Dr. Harte loves travelling and experiencing other cultures and perspectives, but finds her happiest place in the wilderness, hiking and camping, and just being present in nature. Dr. Harte is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Additional Languages: Danish, Swedish
	Jaci Hawkins
	Melody Heller, RN, Clinical Services Director
	Jag Melendez, MS, Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice Jag Melendez is currently the Director of DEIBJ for the Department of Health & Wellbeing, within the Division of Student Affairs. She is a people-centered leader that uses a values-driven approach to help align organizational strategy, mission, and vision with healthier practices, procedures, and policies. Jag has a B.A. in Psychology from Hofstra University and an M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Columbia University. Her purpose and passion lie in inspiring deep thought, reflection and action that promotes the healing and growth of people and systems.
	Craig Mielcarski, LCSW, CEAP, Director of Be Well at Work Be Well at Work - Faculty/Staff Health Programs Director Craig Mielcarski has been the Director for Be Well at Work - Faculty/Staff Health Programs (which includes Disability Management Services, Elder Care, Employee Assistance, Ergonomics, Wellness, and Work/Life programs) since 2018. He previously worked as the Director of Employee Assistance starting in 2008. Craig received his BA in Psychology from Amherst College and his MSW from Boston University. He is a licensed clinical social worker and certified employee assistance professional with over 20 years of clinical, organizational, and leadership experience in business, government, and academic settings. Craig has additional expertise in threat assessment, intimate partner violence, critical incident response, organizational change, and management consultation. Passionate about individual and organizational health and wellness, Craig also has extensive experience providing coaching and consultation to individuals at all levels of a work organization.
	Jen Swails, Administrative Director
	Warren Whitfield, Insurance Manager Warren Whitfield joined the UHS SHIP team in 2014 as the Insurance Case Coordinator. Within two years he was promoted to the Supervisor of Billing and Cashiering for Berkeley SHIP. In October 2020, Warren accepted the position of Insurance Office Manager. Before working at UHS, Warren spent over 13 years with University Hospitals of Cleveland as a supervisor of claims processing and the billing supervisor for their 7 hospitals. Warren moved back to his birthplace, Oakland, in 2012 where he worked at Laguna Honda Rehab as the billing supervisor and Genentech as a case manager before starting at the University of California, Berkeley. Warren enjoys golf, painting by numbers, and reading. Warren is the father of three grown children and grandfather to three grandchildren with one set of twins. He also loves hanging out with his girlfriend and her niece.