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Doctor Stories | UCSF Health

Get behind the white coats and discover what makes UCSF doctors tick: what inspires them, what they're passionate about, and the personal and professional experiences that make them the doctors they are today.

Dr. Andrea Jackson, obstetrician and gynecologist

Andrea Jackson

OB-GYN Dr. Andrea Jackson explains how college volunteer work inspired her to pursue a career devoted to better reproductive health for women.

Dr. Andrew Posselt, bariatric and transplant surgeon

Andrew Posselt

See how an early interest in taxidermy led Dr. Andrew Posselt to become a multifaceted surgeon who performs organ transplants, bariatric surgeries and a life-improving procedure for people with diabetes.

Dr. Bob Wachter, internist

Bob Wachter

Hospitalist Dr. Bob Wachter talks about how the specialty he helped create to meet the needs of modern medicine is bringing safer, more effective care to hospitalized patients.

Dr. Carter Lebares, gastrointestinal surgeon

Carter Lebares

Inspired by life in a poor neighborhood to become a doctor and help people, Dr. Carter Lebares now specializes in gastrointestinal surgery methods that enable patients to heal faster.

Dr. Donald Abrams, cancer and integrative medicine specialist

Donald Abrams

After devoting his early career to the AIDS epidemic, cancer and integrative medicine specialist Dr. Donald Abrams now focuses on complementary therapies to support the aging body.

Dr. Edward Chang, neurosurgeon

Edward Chang

Neurosurgeon Dr. Edward Chang explains how getting to know patients with brain disorders as individuals allows him to provide procedures that help them achieve their hopes and dreams.

Dr. Ethan Weiss, cardiologist

Ethan Weiss

Cardiologist Dr. Ethan Weiss says it's not always obvious who's at risk for heart disease – but, he explains, anyone can take steps to reduce the risk.

Dr. Georg Wieselthaler, heart and lung surgeon

Georg Wieselthaler

Heart and lung surgeon Dr. Georg Wieselthaler is a bold innovator in treating heart failure, but he's still awed by the "miracle" he witnesses when he transplants a heart.

Dr. Hal R. Collard Jr., pulmonologist

Hal Collard

Pulmonologist Dr. Hal Collard talks about great advances in ILD research and how patients inspire him to push for better treatments and a cure.

Dr. Jasleen Kukreja, heart and lung surgeon

Jasleen Kukreja

With a reverence for what goes on inside the human chest, lung transplant surgeon Dr. Jasleen Kukreja explains some of the factors that determine who receives precious donated organs.

Dr. Jeffrey Olgin, cardiologist

Jeffrey Olgin

Cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Jeffrey Olgin enjoys solving the puzzle of an irregular heartbeat, but helping patients feel better is what really drives him.

Dr. Jeffrey Wolf, hematologist

Jeffrey Wolf

See why Dr. Jeffrey Wolf – a specialist in blood and bone marrow cancers with a focus on multiple myeloma – is excited about the future of treating patients with these conditions.

Dr. Larry Rand, perinatologist

Larry Rand

Perinatologist Dr. Larry Rand appreciates that by caring for patients with complicated pregnancies, he can help keep many lives on course.

Dr. Lewis Blevins, neuro-endocrinologist

Lewis Blevins

Learn how endocrinologist Dr. Lewis Blevins' love of art informs his practice, so his care isn't just for a type of illness but for an individual affected by that illness.

Madhulika Varma

The variety of challenges and diversity of colleagues drew Dr. Madhulika Varma to practice colorectal surgery at UCSF, but what motivates her most is helping patients feel better.

Dr. Malcolm John, infectious disease expert

Malcolm John

See what infectious disease specialist Dr. Malcolm John has to say about important advances in preventing HIV as well as the work that remains to be done.

Dr. Margaret Tempero, gastrointestinal oncologist

Margaret Tempero

The difficulty of treatment drew gastrointestinal oncologist Dr. Margaret Tempero to become a champion for patients with pancreatic cancer. She says collaborative, innovative care means hope.

Dr. Michael Conte, vascular surgeon

Michael Conte

As a child, Dr. Michael Conte was inspired by his mother's heart surgery: He became a vascular surgeon who understands patients' fears and aims to develop techniques that will keep them well longer.

Dr. Mitchel Berger, neurosurgeon

Mitchel Berger

Neurosurgeon Dr. Mitchel Berger pioneered techniques that have made surgeries for brain tumors and epilepsy safer and more successful.

Dr. Nancy Ascher, organ transplant surgeon

Nancy Ascher

Organ transplant surgeon Dr. Nancy Ascher has a unique perspective, having not only surgically removed kidneys for those in need but also donated one herself.

Dr. Peter Carroll, urologist

Peter Carroll

Dr. Peter Carroll is one of the busiest prostate cancer surgeons in the world, yet he helped pioneer a less aggressive, nonsurgical approach to treatment that's a better option for many patients.

Dr. Steven Hays, pulmonologist

Steven Hays

See how pulmonologist Dr. Steven Hays works with the lung transplant team to make sure all patients, including those with complex needs, get the best possible outcome.

Dr. Tami Rowen, OB-GYN

Tami Rowen

OB-GYN Dr. Tami Rowen has long loved delivering babies, but she says going through her own pregnancy made her an even more compassionate doctor for women.

Dr. Thomas Vail, orthopedic surgeon

Thomas Vail

Dr. Thomas Vail may be praised as one of the top orthopedic surgeons nationwide, but he still welcomes his patients' opinions and active participation in their treatment and recovery plan.

Dr. Tobias Deuse, cardiothoracic surgeon

Tobias Deuse

Heart and lung surgeon Dr. Tobias Deuse's readiness to embrace new technologies led him to help develop heart repair techniques that are easier on patients.

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