In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week and National Teacher Appreciation Day, we take a moment to celebrate a group whose impact extends far beyond the walls of any one clinic, exam room, or training site. At LifeLong, our preceptors are not only clinicians. They are teachers, mentors, and role models shaping the future of healthcare.
Across our organization, more than 80 preceptors open their doors each year to learners across disciplines. Together, they support over 250+ trainees annually, including medical, dental, and behavioral health learners, as well as nursing students across all levels, pharmacy students, physical and occupational therapy trainees, and many others exploring careers in health. This breadth reflects not only the scale of our work, but the depth of our commitment to education and workforce development.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the teams and sites that make this possible: BSP, Berkeley, and Pinole Dental; Urgent Care at BSP, BIC, and Jenkins; and across BSP, DOC, EBCRP, EO, HDC, Jenkins, Over 60, Pinole, Rosa Parks, SHP, Street Medicine, Trust, and West Berkeley. Each site plays a critical role in creating meaningful, real-world learning environments.
Precepting is not easy work. It requires time, patience, and intention. It asks clinicians to balance care delivery with teaching, to invite curiosity into already busy spaces, and to model not only clinical excellence but humanity. And yet, our preceptors show up to do this every day.
Because of them, learners do not just gain technical skills. They learn how to listen. How to build trust. How to care for the whole person. They see firsthand what it means to practice in community, to serve with purpose, and to meet patients where they are. In doing so, our preceptors help bridge a critical gap between education and practice, ensuring that the next generation of health professionals is prepared to deliver compassionate, equitable care.
Header picture: Family Residency Program
