Ginger Slack, MD Plastic Surgery. Program: Chest/Top Surgery. Ginger Slack is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the UCLA Division of Plastic Surgery. Slack received her medical degree and completed an integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at UCLA, followed by an additional fellowship year in Reconstructive Microsurgery. 2014 Sep; 73 (3):307-10. Slack GC, Tabit CJ, Allam KA, Kawamoto HK, Bradley JP. View in: PubMed Mentions: 5 Fields: Gen General Surgery. Translation: Humans. Maxillary hypoplasia in the cleft patient: contribution of orthodontic dental space closure to orthognathic surgery.
UCLA's Gender Health Program brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialty physicians from primary care, plastic surgery, vocal surgery, endocrinology, gynecology, urology, psychiatry, pediatrics and behavioral health, as well as care coordinators. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our teams work together to provide comprehensive and compassionate care in a safe and welcoming environment for all of our gender-diverse patients. Everyone's gender journey is unique. We recognize that every person requires something different and want to get to know you so that we can take care of the whole you. For additional assistance contact us at 310-267-4334.
Gender Health Providers by Specialty
Primary Care & Pediatrics | Behavioral Health | Endocrinology | Gynecology | Plastic Surgery | Psychiatry | Urology | Vocal Surgery | LGBTQ Healthcare Fellow | Care Coordination
Leadership
Amy K. Weimer, MD
Co-Director
Primary Care & Pediatrics
Nupur Agrawal, MD, MPH
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Program: Primary Care
Dr. Nupur Agrawal is a Clinical Instructor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at UCLA and practices primary care at the UCLA Medicine-Pediatrics Comprehensive Care Clinic in Santa Monica, California. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Biological Sciences from Cornell University, her Master of Public Health degree in Healthcare Management from Columbia University, and her MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She completed her combined residency training in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. Dr. Agrawal has had a lifelong passion advocating for human rights and, as a result, joined the UCLA Gender Health Program to provide compassionate, personalized, and comprehensive care to transgender and gender-diverse patients. She has a special interest in managing hormone replacement therapy, contraception, PEP/PrEP therapy, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and anxiety. More >
Daniela Delgado, MD
Family Medicine
Program: Primary Care
Dr. Daniela Delgado is a Clinical Instructor in the UCLA Department of Medicine. She received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed her family medicine residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Her focus throughout her medical training was on community-based research and the well-being of vulnerable populations. Dr. Delgado specializes in the care of patients who identify as lesbian, bisexual, and queer, and has a special interest in transgender health. Her other clinical interests include adolescent health, PrEP/PEP, gynecological care and providing primary care for patients with HIV. Dr. Delgado is board certified in family medicine and sees both pediatric and adult patients in Beverly Hills and Westwood. More >
John D. Fernandez, MD
Internal Medicine
Program: Primary Care
Dr. John Fernandez is a Clinical Instructor in the UCLA Department of Medicine. He received his medical degree at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and completed his internal medicine residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Dr. Fernandez has experience working with transgender and gender non-conforming patients in both rural and urban environments. His clinical interests include primary care for transgender and gender-diverse patients, the initiation and management of gender-affirming hormone treatment, the transition of care for young adults into adult primary care, and adult primary care. Dr. Fernandez sees patients in Beverly Hills. More >
Amy K. Weimer, MD
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics
Program: Primary Care
Dr. Amy Weimer is Co-Director of the UCLA Gender Health Program and Associate Professor of Medicine – Pediatrics at UCLA. She completed her dual residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 2003. She served as chief resident in internal medicine, then spent several years practicing general primary care before joining UCLA faculty in 2013. She became deeply interested in health care for transgender and gender-diverse patients during this time, and founded the UCLA Gender Health Program in 2016. She is committed to providing excellent care for transgender and gender-diverse patients of all ages, as well as improving the education of physicians and physicians-in-training on transgender health. More >
Behavioral Health
Jessica Bernacki, PhD
Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent
Program: Behavioral Health
Dr. Jessica Bernacki is a Staff Psychologist at the UCLA Medicine-Pediatrics Comprehensive Care Center (MPCCC). She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; her psychology internship in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA, and her fellowship in the Child Psychiatry Department at Stanford University. She joined the integrated primary care team at the MPCCC in 2013. She has served as the behavioral health director for the UCLA Gender Health Program since it was founded in 2016. In this role she is committed to providing behavioral health services for transgender and gender-diverse patients of all ages. Appointments can be scheduled through our Primary Care program. More >
Brandon Ito, MD, MPH
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Ucla Slack Grid
Program: Behavioral Health
Dr. Brandon Ito is Assistant Professor of Medicine – Psychiatry at UCLA. Dr. Ito completed his Adult Psychiatry training at the University of California, San Francisco and fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the NYU Child Study Center and Bellevue Hospital where he served as Chief Fellow. More >
Natalie Ramos, MD, MPH
Psychiatry
Program: Behavioral Health
Dr. Natalia Ramos is the Medical Director of Child Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Services at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica who treats pediatric and adult patients through Behavioral Health Associates (BHA), the Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR) Clinic and the Faculty Practice Group. She also leads a resiliency group study for LGBTQ teens (ages 12- 17 years old with depression and anxiety. More >
Endocrinology
Roja Fallah, MD, MPH
Pediatrics, Endocrinology
Dr. Fallah is a Health Sciences Clinical Instructor at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. She sees patients affected by a variety of diabetes and endocrine disorders with specific interest in endocrine neoplasms and transgender health. Previously, Dr. Fallah was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at USC Keck School of Medicine and worked as a Bone Marrow Transplant Hospitalist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. She received her M.D. degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. After receiving a Master of Public Health degree in maternal and child health from Loma Linda University, Dr. Fallah completed her residency in Pediatrics at White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles and her fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. More >
Stanley G. Korenman, MD
Medicine, Endocrinology - Diabetes and Metabolism
Program: Hormone Therapy
Dr. Stanley Korenman is Distinguished Professor of Medicine – Endocrinology at UCLA. He Graduated from Princeton University and medical school at Columbia. He was trained in Internal Medicine at Bellevue and Memorial Hospitals in New York. He was accepted to the NIH as a Clinical Associate and then Senior Investigator in the Endocrinology Branch of the National Cancer Institute where he began his lifelong research into male and female reproductive endocrinology. At present he is Associate Dean for Ethics and directs the Ethics program of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Dr. Korenman’s practice specializes in reproductive endocrinology including extensive involvement in the endocrine aspects of gender transition and maintenance. More >
Aarthi Arasu, MD
Medicine, Endocrinology - Diabetes and Metabolism
Program: Hormone Therapy
Dr. Aarthi Arasu earned her medical degree and completed her Internal Medicine residency at UCLA. She went on to do her endocrinology fellowship at UCSF. During that time, she spent extensive time doing research in osteoporosis with world-renowned experts in the field. More >
Susan Ahern, MD
Medicine, Endocrinology - Diabetes and Metabolism
Program: Hormone Therapy
Dr. Susan Ahern is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine and Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UCLA. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency training, Internal Medicine Chief Residency and Endocrinology and Metabolism Fellowship at University of California at Irvine. She has relocated from Orange County to Ventura County where she has started a general Endocrinology practice. She has a special interest in caring for transgender and the gender-diverse population. She is looking forward to providing evidenced based care and work. More >
Shira Grock, MD
Medicine, Endocrinology - Diabetes and Metabolism
Program: Hormone Therapy
Dr. Shira Grock was born and raised in Los Angeles and received her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. She then earned her medical degree from University of Southern California where she was elected for Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. She went on to complete her Internal Medicine training at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and returned to Los Angeles for her endocrinology fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Grock then joined faculty at UCLA and practices general endocrinology in Santa Monica with a special interest in transgender health. More >
Head and Neck
Usc Slack Login
Lisa Bolden, MA, CCC-SLP
Otolaryngology / Head and Neck
Program: Vocal Therapy
Lisa Bolden, MA, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed speech pathologist who specializes in voice. Lisa earned her master's degree at Northwestern University and her bachelor's degree at the University of Arizona. She joined the UCLA Speech Pathology Department in 2000, launching the UCLA Voice Program in 2006 that she continues to lead. The UCLA Voice Team's practice is centered on the understanding that voice is important to the quality of life. The program provides care to individuals to align voice with gender. The program also provides care to people with episodic laryngeal breathing disorders, including inducible laryngeal obstruction and chronic cough; presbyphonia; vocal fold paresis and paralysis; treat phonotraumatic lesions; vocal fold scars; muscle tension dysphonia, disease related voice disorders and supragastric belching. The program provides professional and peri-operative voice care. More >
Dinesh K. Chhetri, MD
Otolaryngology / Head and Neck
Program: Vocal Therapy
Dr. Dinesh Chhetri is a Professor of Head and Neck Surgery and a Laryngologist, a specialist in voice, swallowing, and breathing disorders. He obtained his MD from UCLA School of Medicine, where he graduated with distinction for his thesis on vocal fold paralysis and laryngeal reinnervation. He remained at UCLA after his residency and fellowship training. He has authored over 100 publications related to voice and swallowing disorders and conducts NIH funded research on voice production mechanisms. He is committed to providing state-of-the-art, personalized medical and surgical treatments for voice disorders.. More >
Natalie E. Kadin, MD
Otolaryngology / Head and Neck
Program: Vocal Therapy
Dr. Natalie Kadin is an Assistant Professor of the Head and Neck Surgery Department of the David Geffen School of Medicine of UCLA. Dr. Kadin graduated from medical school at Mount Sinai in New York followed by a surgical residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York. After residency, Dr. Kadin moved to the west coast to complete an additional fellowship training in voice surgery with Dr. Gerald Berke at UCLA. Dr. Kadin’s office is located at UCLA Health in Thousand Oaks, California. She strives to create a caring, supportive clinical environment for all patients and is honored to provide comprehensive care of the ear, nose, throat, and voice for the transgender and gender-diverse community. More >
Abie Mendelsohn, MD
Otolaryngology / Head and Neck
Program: Vocal Surgery
Dr. Abie Mendelsohn is an Assistant Professor at the UCLA Voice Center, part of the UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Department of the David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Mendelsohn graduated with honors from Yeshiva University followed by his medical school education at UCLA. Following his surgical residency training at UCLA, he went on to complete two advanced voice fellowships. First studying under Dr. Gerald Berke at UCLA he then studied under Dr. Marc Remacle at the Cliniques Universitaires UCL Mont-Godinne in Belgium. In Europe, Dr. Mendelsohn was able to learn the state-of-the-art endoscopic surgical approaches for the transgender voice. During his career here at UCLA, Dr. Mendelsohn has taken particular pride in working to advance the cultural and clinical well-being of the LGBTQ community. More >
OB/GYN
Valentina Rodriguez-Triana, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics
Program: Gynecological Care
Dr. Valentina Rodriguez-Triana is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA. Dr. Rodriguez- Triana attended college at the Johns Hopkins University, and completed medical school at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. She did her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA, where she later stayed as faculty. She has a special interest in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, particularly for the treatment of fibroids as well as gender- affirmation surgery for female- to- male transgender patients. Dr. Rodriguez- Triana is a member of the UCLA Gender Health Program, where she offers preventive services, contraceptive management, obstetric care, and gender- affirming surgeries for transgender patients. More >
Kathleen M. Brennan, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility
Program: Reproductive Health and Fertility
Zain Al-Safi, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility
Program: Reproductive Health and Fertility
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility
Program: Reproductive Health and Fertility
Dr. Lindsay Kroener is an Assistant Clinical Professor of OB/Gyn in the division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UCLA. She is passionate about women's health and provides comprehensive, personalized care in the area of reproductive medicine and infertility. After graduating from Northwestern University, she completed her medical degree at USC Keck School of Medicine and her Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at UCLA. Her primary clinical interests include infertility management and treatment, recurrent pregnancy loss, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and fertility preservation for a wide range of patients including cancer patients, transgender patients and those pursuing elective fertility preservation. More >
Tamara Grisales, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Program: Gynecological Care
Molly Quinn, MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Program: Gynecological Care
Dr. Quinn completed her undergraduate studies at Stanford University and medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology and fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. Her clinical interests include infertility, fertility preservation, recurrent pregnancy loss, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and helping LGBTQ individuals build families. She has a special interest in fertility preservation for transgender patients. Dr. Quinn’s research interests include optimizing pregnancy outcomes subsequent to assisted reproduction, the role of the reproductive laboratory in improving in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, the long-term safety of IVF and related treatments. More >
Plastic Surgery
Andrew Da Lio, MD
Plastic Surgery
Program: Chest/Top Surgery
Dr. Andrew Da Lio
is Clinical Professor and Chief in the UCLA Division of Plastic Surgery. He earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees from the University of Michigan. He completed his residency in general surgery at the prestigious Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and matched into the plastic surgery residency program at the USC Keck School of Medicine. After finishing his residency training, he elected to complete an additional subspecialty fellowship in microvascular surgery at UCLA. Dr. Da Lio joined the faculty of the UCLA Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery as an Assistant Professor in 1997. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and microsurgical breast reconstruction. More >Justine Lee, MD
Plastic Surgery
Program: Facial Reconstruction
Dr. Justine Lee is an Associate Professor of Surgery in the UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Bernard G. Sarnat Endowed Chair in Craniofacial Biology. She graduated from the University of Chicago with both an MD and a PhD. She subsequently completed her Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery residency at the University of Chicago followed by a Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship at UCLA. Her clinical research is focused on identifying methods for improving outcomes in craniofacial care. Her clinical practice is dedicated to aesthetic reconstructive craniofacial surgery. More >
Wayne Ozaki, MD
Plastic Surgery
Program: Facial Reconstruction
Dr. Wayne Ozaki Dr. Wayne Ozaki is a board certified plastic surgeon, who specializes in pediatric, craniofacial and cosmetic surgery of the face, breast and body. Dr. Ozaki was born and raised in Anaheim, California. He received his undergraduate and dental school education at the University of Southern California. He graduated as valedictorian of his Dental School class in 1988. Dr. Ozaki completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency and attended Medical School at the University of Pittsburgh. He then spent a year as the Plastic Surgery research fellow at the University of Michigan. He continued his training in Plastic Surgery at the University of Michigan. Dr. Ozaki returned to California as the Craniofacial Fellow under Dr. Henry K. Kawamoto at UCLA. More >
George Rudkin, MD
Plastic Surgery
Program: Chest/Top Surgery
Dr. George Rudkin is a Clinical Professor and training program director of Plastic Surgery at UCLA, and the Chief of the Plastic Surgery service at the West Los Angeles Veteran Hospital. Dr Rudkin completed his training in both General and Plastic Surgery at UCLA, and has been on staff since 1998. Dr Rudkin’s clinical interests include performing transgender top surgery. More >
Ginger Slack, MD
Plastic Surgery
Program: Chest/Top Surgery
Dr. Ginger Slack is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the UCLA Division of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Slack received her medical degree and completed an integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at UCLA, followed by an additional fellowship year in Reconstructive Microsurgery. She has presented papers at the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society for Plastic Surgery and Plastic Surgery Research Council among others, and has also published papers in leading peer-reviewed journals and textbooks on breast reconstruction and craniofacial reconstruction. Dr. Slack's areas of clinical expertise include breast reconstruction (offering implant-based, tissue-based, and microsurgical breast reconstruction procedures), general oncologic reconstruction, and lower extremity reconstruction. She also offers gender affirming top surgeries and aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body including, breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, abdominoplasty, labiaplasty, facelift, browlift, blepharoplasty, and cosmetic injectables. Plastic surgery and patient care are her true passions. More >
Urology
Mark S. Litwin, MD, MPH
Urology
Surgery, Complex General Surgical Oncology
Program: Genital Reconstructive Services/Bottom Surgery
Dr. Mark Litwin is Co-Director of the UCLA Gender Health Program and Professor of Urology, Public Health, and Nursing. He is also Chair of UCLA Urology. Dr. Litwin did his surgical training at Harvard and specializes in testicular, bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer. Dr. Litwin’s research focuses on improving quality of care and quality of life in urologic oncology. A former board member of the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, he created and directs IMPACT, a state-funded program that provides free medical care statewide for low-income, uninsured men with prostate cancer. More >
Gladys Ng, MD
Urology
Program: Genital Reconstructive Services/Bottom Surgery
Dr. Gladys Ng is Surgical Director of the UCLA Gender Health Program and Assistant Professor of Urology. She did her surgical training at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and fellowship training in genitourinary reconstruction at Emory University. Dr. Ng specializes in general adult urology, minimally invasive surgery, and pelvic medicine reconstruction with a focus on male genitourinary reconstruction. Dr. Ng is enthusiastic and committed to providing excellent care for transgender patients and especially those with an interest in gender affirming surgery. More >
Jesse Mills, MD
Urology
Program: Reproductive Health and Fertility
Dr. Jesse Mills is Associate Clinical Professor of Urology. Dr. Mills received his medical degree from the University of Iowa College of Medicine. He completed his urology residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a fellowship in microsurgery and male reproductive medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He is a national proctor for penile prosthetic surgery and a national expert in Peyronie’s Disease. He has authored multiple book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles on male infertility, impotence, and many other urologic disorders. As a male reproductive medicine specialist, Dr. Mills has extensive experience counseling patients on sperm freezing (cryopreservation) prior to male to female gender affirmation surgery. More >
LGBTQ Healthcare Fellow
Felipe Saavedra, MD
UCLA LGBTQ Healthcare Fellow
Dr. Felipe Saavedra, UCLA LGBTQ Healthcare Fellow. Dr. Saavedra was born and raised in Chile, where he graduated with honors from the University of Chile Faculty of Medicine and was a researcher at an HIV/AIDS specialty clinic in Santiago. After working for two years in primary care, Dr. Saavedra joined the UCLA International Medical Graduate Program in 2015. He completed his Family Medicine training at UCLA, seeking opportunities to educate himself and colleagues about critical healthcare issues that impact LGBTQ+ individuals. Using his bilingual and cultural competency skills, Dr. Saavedra broadened his residency program's impact on underserved Spanish-speaking communities in LA County. As the UCLA LGBTQ+ Healthcare Fellow, Dr. Saavedra continues to advocate for and build bridges to underserved communities. He is passionate about medical education and teaching, and reducing healthcare disparities in vulnerable populations. Outside of work, Dr. Saavedra enjoys spending time with his husband and exploring Southern California. He also enjoys traveling, volunteering, practicing yoga, and cooking traditional Chilean food for friends and family. More >
Care Coordination
Christopher Mann, MSW & ASW
Program Manager
Chris Mann, the UCLA Gender Health Program Manager, completed his Master of Social Welfare degree at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs where he focused on issues affecting LGBTQ+ identified older adults and was co-chair for the Luskin Pride LGBTQ Caucus. Since starting his position with the UCLA Gender Health Program, he helped spearhead UCLA Health’s inaugural participation in West Hollywood Pride as well as shaped LGBTQ trainings and presentations for the UCLA Health System. Chris will help patients and their families navigate insurances, health information, community based resources and policies affecting the trans and gender diverse communities. He looks forward to working with leadership to shape and cultivate the UCLA Gender Health Program and welcomes any and all who would like some assistance along their journey.
Ethan Alexander Patron
Care Coordinator
Ethan Alexander Patron (he/they), the UCLA Gender Health Care Coordinator, is an advocate for Transgender and Gender Variant communities in Los Angeles. Ethan played a pivotal role in the growth and expansion of the Transgender Health Program at St. John’s Well Child & Family Center as a Patient Advocate and Intake Coordinator. In his role with the UCLA Gender Health Program by providing a patient center approach, Ethan helps patients reach their goals by conducting patient intakes and providing appropriate referrals to the services they may need. Ethan is excited to work with patients of all backgrounds and needs as they navigate medical transition, and he looks forward to building new opportunities and services for patients with his team.
Rachel Brand
MSW Intern
Rachel Brand (she/hers) is a UCLA MSW (Master of Social Welfare) candidate and intern with the Gender Health Program. Rachel completed her bachelor's degree and her master's degree in Global Health at the University of California, San Diego. She has worked in a treatment facility for mental health and substance use disorders within the San Diego area and subsequently at a former foster youth program at UC San Diego. She is now an active leader at UCLA. At the UCLA Gender Health Program, Rachel will help conduct intakes, assist with case management needs, refer to community resources, and help with program development. She looks forward to supporting patients in navigating the resources they need and working with a team to further expand the Gender Health Program for the community.
If you are a provider at UCLA Health and would like to be listed, please fill out this request form.
Skip to end of metadataGo to start of metadataSlack is one of the tools that enables UCLA’s digital campus — a collaboration hub that enables real-time communications and connections in a searchable platform for real-time messaging, content sharing, learning, and more.
Join UCLA Student Affairs workspace to start real-time communication with Student Affairs Staff. UCLA Student Affairs workspace is available to all active Student and Staff employees in Student Affairs departments.
How to Join UCLA Student Affairs workspace
- Follow https://www.it.ucla.edu/support-training/tutorials/how-use-slack
- Download theDesktop appfor your computer
- Download the Mobile app for iOS or Androidfrom their respective app store
- Browse Channels and join UCLA Student Affairs workspace.
Channel Setup and Channel Naming Conventions Guide
Follow the Student Affairs Workspace Channel Naming Conventions
Use departmental prefix before your channel name when creating a channel. They do help discoverability of channels and help reinforce their intended use. example: (rl-general , sait-general, cpo-staff, sole-studentstaff, cpo-foodbank) . Review and follows Slack’s guidelines when naming your channel.
Create a Channel
Any UCLA Student Affairs Workspace Slack member can form both public and private channels. If you are a department within Student Affairs and would like assistance, please reach out to your departmental advocate or submit a ticket to support@sait.ucla.edu to get started with creating your departmental channels.
Determine whether you will be using public or private channels.
Public channels: can be browsed and joined by anyone on the workspace. Public channels are denoted with a # in Slack.
Private channels: can only be viewed and joined if you’re invited by an existing member of the channel. Private channels are denoted with a lock icon in Slack. Private channels should be topics that aren’t for the public’s eyes.
Collaborate with kindness: Consider these etiquette tips in Slack
Review etiquette tips in Slack https://slack.com/blog/collaboration/etiquette-tips-in-slack
Is your message worth bothering someone or everyone in a channel?
Use of `@channel` and `@here`
By minimizing @here/@channel use, people are less likely to mute or leave the channel due to being spammed with notifications. This then allows the notifications to be used to properly and interrupt people as the sender intended. Before using either, consider the number of members of the channel and if the majority of members of a channel would agree that their attention needed to be demanded to read the message.
@channel alerts all channel members regardless if they’re online or not, it should be used for incredibly high priority messages that need attention right now. It is intended to distract everyone in that channel from what they are doing right now.
@here alerts people who are currently online in slack, and in that channel, it should be used for high priority messages that need attention right now. It is intended to demand attention from those online as soon as possible.
If you just want to send a message but people don't need to see it right now, just put it into the channel normally, as everyone should consume it when they next have a moment.
Some examples of good use are:
Some examples of bad use:
Using threads
One of the constant challenges we face with popular Slack channels (e.g. #announcements and #smallvictories) is keeping information relevant (so people don't leave / mute the channel) while maintaining a steady flow of information (so people are informed and included) and giving people an opportunity to respond/discuss (so it's not just a one-way street).
When in a large channel like these, prefer responding in a thread rather than replying directly in the channel. This keeps noise to a minimum, while allowing discussion to continue amongst those that are interested. We don’t want to stop congratulating our colleagues when they’ve done a good job (e.g. in response to a message in #smallvictories) - but that message is actually intended just for the few people mentioned in the message, not everyone in the channel. Replying in a thread ensures those people see it, but no one else is distracted by it.
In a more narrowly-focused channel (e.g. #aws), it’s often worth replying directly in the channel as most people are in that channel to observe the general conversation, even if they’re not a part of it. There are still cases where a thread is useful, but they tend to be used more sparingly.
Tip: A general rule of thumb when replying to a message in Slack is this:
If your reply is only intended to be read by the original poster (or the people mentioned in the original post), you should use a thread. If your reply is valuable to everyone in the channel, reply in the channel.
If you want to create a place for an expected conversation to continue and don’t want to create a separate, temporary channel (like #tmp-conversation) then consider starting a thread from your own post.
**Tip: **A custom 🧵 emoji has been added to help guide people towards posting in a thread rather than in the channel. Sometimes you may feel it is better to react with an emoji than telling someone to use a thread. It’s quick and it avoids yet another message (you could use a thread though 🙂).
Tip: One way to induce people to reply using threads is to post the highlight of your message first in the main channel, then create a thread on your own message and add in the details. When people see a thread, they are more likely to use it.
Mentioning by Name
If you mention someone by their slack handle (e.g. percy or @percy), it highlights them in slack, notifies them (and prompts you to invite them to the channel if they’re not already present, or notify them of the channel).
Naming is generally acceptable convention to avoid misspellings and add additional potentially interested people to the conversation.
_i.e. I know that Quincy really likes Michael Jackson’s music and there’s a conversation about this music between Vince and Nelly in the #random channel. You write “I love what you just shared and I think @Quincy would find this interesting too”. _
However, it is impolite to highlight someone if you’re only intending to speed up responses to your non-urgent questions.
_i.e. if they’ve been responding to the conversation on slack, and then they take longer than you anticipated for their response, you use “hey @quincy! What did you think about what I said?”. → this is impolite. _
Mentioning by name when they are not in the channel
When you post a message that @ mentions someone who is not in the channel, you can choose to either 'invite' them to the channel (which force joins them), or to send them a link (if the channel is public). Unless their input is required for the matter at hand you should you use the second option, and try to include enough content in the line so that the message they receive allows them to make an informed decision about whether they should join the channel or not.
Use of Private Messages
Before using a private message, consider why it couldn't be public to the network as that has the benefits of allowing others to pick up (help, improve) on what is happening or learn from the conversation.
Conversations Transitioning off Slack
Sometimes a conversation will start on slack, but move off-channel to a face-to-face conversation. It is polite to either post 'This conversation has gone face-to-face' so that others aren't confused by a slack conversation that just ends mid way through, or post a summary of the conversation back into slack for posterity.