Dr. Schwarz is a general internist and health services researcher whose work centers on harm reduction and health promotion. She has a particular interest in identifying ways to meet the needs of diverse, vulnerable populations, including women with chronic medical conditions and other underserved populations. Her research, which has been funded by HRSA, PCORI, AHRQ, FDA, NICHD, the Office of Population Affairs, and the Office of Adolescent Health, has produced over 180 peer-reviewed publications. An award-winning mentor, she has worked closely with multiple junior faculty on career development awards, as well as with a range of postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students.

A proud product of California’s public school system, Dr. Schwarz received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of California, Berkeley prior to receiving her medical degree from UCSF. She completed residency training in primary care internal medicine at UCSF, and a fellowship in women’s health and health services research at the San Francisco VA. Previously, Dr. Schwarz served as Medical Consultant for California’s Department of Health Care Services’ Office of Family Planning, Senior Medical Expert in Reproductive Health for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and a member of the FDA's Advisory Committee on Reproductive Health Drugs. Prior to returning to UCSF, Dr. Schwarz was tenured at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of California, Davis. Dr. Schwarz has served on the council of the Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) and an Associate Editor of NEJM Journal Watch. Dr. Schwarz loves clinical teaching in both inpatient and primary care settings and is committed to encouraging consideration of the social determinants of health while fostering collaboration and the growth of the next generation of clinicians and scholars.