Nancy L. Ascher

MD PhD

Organ transplant surgeon

Dr. Nancy Ascher has devoted her career to organ transplantation and transplant research. She has served on the Presidential Task Force on Organ Transplantation, Surgeon General's Task Force on Increasing Donor Organs and Secretary of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation.

Ascher is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she earned her medical degree. She completed a general surgery residency and clinical transplant fellowship at the University of Minnesota, where she later joined the faculty and became clinical director of the liver transplant program.

Ascher is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is a member of numerous other medical societies, including the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, in which she has served as president.

  • Education

    University of Michigan, 1974

  • Residencies

    University of Minnesota, General Surgery, 1981

  • Fellowships

    University of Minnesota, Transplant Surgery, 1982

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Conditions I specialize in

  • Liver transplant

Treatments I provide

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    101 Ratings
    About our process
    Feb 25, 2023
    My physician is outstanding and UCSF is lucky to have her.
    Feb 22, 2023
    I would highly recommend this doctor and the whole liver transplant team. They are the best! We felt very confident with the care we were receiving and going to be receiving. Going through such a major procedure it was so reassuring to know we were in the best hands possible.
    Jan 02, 2023
    I went into my appointment with a few concerns. Dr. Ascher addressed all of my concerns which made me feel better! I also felt listened to completely.
    Nov 07, 2022
    Good
    Oct 26, 2022
    Dr. Ascher is excellent
    Sep 29, 2022
    Dr Ascher is a kind and compassionate doctor who listened to my concerns.
    Sep 09, 2022
    Dr Ascher is caring compassionate and attentive beyond wonderful and beyond words. She is the best surgeon I could ever have been blessed to have been cared for.
    Sep 07, 2022
    It was Dr. Ascher. Enough said. Always the most confident knowledgable & kind. I am always honored to Interact with her as my provider.
    Aug 25, 2022
    I have told everyone about my experiences and I have nothing but PRAISE FOR ALL WHO CARED FOR ME. Thank you AGAIN.
    Jul 12, 2022
    Dr.Ascher is the very best doctor I have ever had.
    Jun 02, 2022
    Good
    Sep 15, 2021
    Dr Ascher made my complicated concerns easy. She fully understood my questions.
    Jun 23, 2021
    I am so grateful to be treated by Dr. Ascher.
    Jun 10, 2021
    Dr. Ascher was extremely helpful non-judgmental professional courteous and caring. Could not have asked for more or better from this or any doctor.
    May 12, 2021
    Dr. Ascher was familiar with my case and very polite and informative.

    Selected research

    My work

    The Surgeon's Cut, episode 3, "Living Donor" (Netflix)

    Follow the drama as Dr. Nancy Ascher – a pioneer in organ transplantation and the first woman ever to perform a liver transplant – leads a team in removing part of a young woman's liver for transplantation in her ailing mother. (Netflix subscription required.)

    Watch the episode

    Doctor stories - Nancy Ascher

    For Ascher, surgery is sometimes a family affair — she removes the donated organ and her husband, transplant surgeon Dr. John Roberts, puts it into the recipient.

    Read here

    Contact me

    Providers on my team

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