On December 6, 2022, I photographed Dr. Renee Hsia at San Francisco General Hospital, where she moves with the precision of a seasoned emergency physician and the warmth of someone deeply committed to her patients. We made photos in ambulances, the trauma bay, and throughout the hospital, spaces that serve as both her battleground and sanctuary.

Dr. Hsia is a rare combination of brilliance and playfulness, someone who can navigate the chaos of an ER with sharp intellect and a quick wit, all while making sure things get done. A leading expert in emergency medicine and health policy, her research has illuminated critical gaps in healthcare access, particularly the challenges faced by patients in underserved communities. Her work has been instrumental in highlighting the consequences of emergency department closures, showing how reduced access to emergency care disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. Through rigorous data analysis and policy advocacy, she has shaped discussions on healthcare equity, influencing both academic discourse and real-world decision-making.

Beyond the hospital walls, Dr. Hsia is a nationally recognized voice in health policy and systems reform. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, a distinction that underscores her impact in shaping the future of emergency care and healthcare accessibility. Her contributions extend beyond research, she is a mentor, an educator, and a fierce advocate for evidence-based policy changes that can save lives.

There’s an energy to her work, a momentum that mirrors the pulse of the hospital itself. In a place where urgency is the constant, Dr. Hsia stands as both strategist and healer, balancing the immediate needs of patients with the larger questions of how to improve the system that serves them. She is, in every sense, a force.