Marsha J. Treadwell is a psychologist who cares for children and families living with medical conditions and undergoing treatments, with a special focus on those affected by sickle cell disease. She helps patients and families develop and maintain resilience to better cope with stress.
Treadwell directs the Sickle Cell Care Coordination Initiative in Northern California, which brings together adolescent and adult patients, health care providers, policymakers and researchers to improve quality of life and care for people with the disease. She is also regional director of the Pacific Sickle Cell Regional Collaborative, in which medical institutions in 13 western U.S. states are working to improve access to high-quality sickle cell care. She has expertise in evaluating such programs, in measuring and improving health care quality, and in easing the transition from pediatric to adult care for patients with sickle cell disease. She has participated in and led studies in the U.S., United Kingdom, Brazil and countries across the African continent that investigate and integrate findings on psychological, behavioral, social, spiritual and physical processes in relation to living with sickle cell disease.
Treadwell earned a doctorate in clinical child psychology at the University of Washington.
As co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, Treadwell is passionate about dismantling structures that cause disparities in patients' outcomes and access to resources. She enjoys mentoring students, trainees and junior faculty members from groups underrepresented in medicine and looks forward to the day when the face of medicine reflects the diverse populations it serves.
