On July 22, 2024, we said goodbye to Ron Goldschmidt, MD, the founder of the National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) and a pioneer in family medicine and HIV care.

At the age of 80, Dr. Goldschmidt’s passing marked the end of a remarkable life dedicated to progress, compassion, and innovation. As we reflect on his legacy, we remember the countless lives he touched through his 50-year career at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and UCSF’s Department of Family & Community Medicine.

From founding the Family Medicine Inpatient Service at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFGH) to launching the NCCC’s first clinical education lines in response to the HIV epidemic, Dr. Goldschmidt was a visionary who championed equitable, community-centered care.
Dr. Goldschmidt’s vision, leadership, and dedication to empowering generations of healthcare providers continues to inspire our work. His passion for sharing knowledge and supporting clinicians drove the NCCC’s creation, and in turn, we wanted to create a lasting tribute to him.

To commemorate his extraordinary contributions to our mission and the field of medicine, the NCCC recently gathered at ZSFGH to unveil “To Ron,” a series of paintings to honor his life, dedication, and spirit.

Created by NCCC team member and local Bay Area artist Tamara A. Arzumanova Corinaldi, “To Ron” is a four-panel, in-the-round heart (36×36 in) acrylic painting that celebrates Ron’s life and work. The painting is steeped in symbolism, reflecting not only his medical career but also his personality, passions, and enduring impact.

A Tribute Through Art

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Goldschmidt’s personality left an indelible mark on those who knew him. He was a skilled jazz pianist, often captivating audiences with his improvisations. His love of gardening revealed his grounded, nurturing nature. Whether through music, medicine, or horticulture, Ron approached life with abundant energy and an unwavering commitment to growth.

From the Artist – The Elements of the Painting

• Musical Notes: Dr. Goldschmidt’s love for jazz was made abundantly clear to anyone passing by his old office while his records blasted. His music resonates throughout the piece, with his favorite song, “Hymn to Freedom” by Oscar Peterson, inspiring the rhythm and energy depicted through the vibrant strokes and colors. The interplay of these notes mirrors Dr. Goldschmidt’s liveliness and his ability to transform chaos into harmony, much like his work in HIV care and family medicine.
• Gardening Themes: A nod to Dr. Goldschmidt’s habit of watering plants with leftover coffee, the painting’s backdrop features lush greenery and thriving plants. These elements symbolize growth, resilience, and the advancements in HIV care that he championed.
• Names of Those Lost to HIV: Woven into the imagery are the names of individuals lost to the HIV epidemic, connecting the roots of the painting to Dr. Goldschmidt’s holistic philosophy. Thin white roots transition into human arms and bodies, representing the interconnectedness of care and the humanity Ron brought to his work.

“The color, strokes and incorporated musical notes evoke his dedication to jazz, his vivacious spirit, fortitude and his energetic personality; all of which he applied to his work, his life, and his music,” said Arzumanova Corinaldi.  

The painting’s progression—from dark, barren soil to a vibrant canopy—tells a story of transformation, hope, and progress. At the top, thriving plants and dynamic musical notes reflect the advancements made in HIV care, a field to which Dr. Goldschmidt devoted his life.

See more: To Ron – A Tribute to Ron Goldschmidt

A Legacy of Compassion and Progress

To learn more about Ron’s career and achievements, see the following excerpt from: Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Ron Goldschmidt MD, Trailblazer of Family Medicine & Innovator of HIV Care

In 1973, just three years after the specialty of Family Medicine was established, Dr. Goldschmidt joined UCSF as one of the first residents at the newly created Family Practice Residency Program at ZSFGH. This program served as a foundation for developing the UCSF Department of Family & Community Medicine, where the NCCC remains today. 

After joining the faculty, Dr. Goldschmidt created the Family Medicine Inpatient Service at ZSFGH in 1978 to address curricular needs for training family physicians in acute hospital care and the need for better coordination between hospital services and the primary care clinicians providing community-based longitudinal care for patients who were hospitalized. The Family Medicine Inpatient Service was one of the first at an academic health center and soon became nationally renowned.

In 1980, Dr. Goldschmidt and the Family Medicine Inpatient Service team cared for a patient with a then-rare condition—Kaposi’s Sarcoma. In retrospect, it was recognized that this person was one of the first San Franciscans to have AIDS.  Within a few years, half of the people on the Family Medicine Inpatient Service would be gay men with advanced AIDS.As programs at ZSFGH and UCSF became national authorities on HIV/AIDS, Dr. Goldschmidt recognized the need to share this knowledge with community-based clinicians across the country. In 1993, Dr. Goldschmidt founded the National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) housed at ZSFGH. The only advice center of its kind in the nation, the NCCC has received continuous federal funding for more than 30 years to provide free remote clinical education on managing the syndemic of HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance use disorders.

A Lasting Impact

The unveiling of To Ron serves as a poignant reminder of his legacy. Tamara A. Arzumanova Corinaldi’s work captures the essence of Ron’s contributions to family medicine, HIV care, and clinical education. It stands as a testament to his belief in the power of connection, compassion, and creativity.

Dr. Goldschmidt’s ideals continue to inspire new generations of healthcare providers. His emphasis on holistic, human-centered care remains a cornerstone of modern medicine, while his innovative approaches to HIV care set a standard for excellence that we continue to strive towards.

Dr. Ron Goldschmidt’s life reminds us of the profound impact one individual can have on the world. His dedication to family medicine, HIV care, and the communities he served will forever be celebrated. To Ron ensures that his memory and contributions will live on, inspiring hope, progress, and humanity in the face of challenges.

As we reflect on Ron’s legacy, we are reminded of the words of his favorite song, Hymn to Freedom: “When every heart joins every heart and together yearns for liberty… That’s when we’ll be free.”

Read more: Trailblazing: The Family Medicine Inpatient Service at SFGH