News & Events

We’re proud to share that 41 physicians from the University of California, San Francisco Department of Surgery have been named to Castle Connolly Top Doctors’s 2026 Top Doctors list—an increase from last year and a powerful reflection of sustained excellence across the department. This distinction speaks to the...

Celebrating Thoracic surgeon Dr. Johannes Kratz and Dr. Jeroen Roose, Co-PIs whose innovative work has earned a major new award from the Lopker Family Foundation. Their proposal, “Advancing Two-Hit Therapy Approaches for K-Ras Mutation Cancers,” was selected from 30 submissions across UCSF. Backed by $250,000...

Matthew (Matt) Skovgard, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He specializes in thoracic surgical oncology, with a clinical focus on lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and mesothelioma, as well as complex thoracic...

Bianca Bromberger, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiac Surgery and Lung Transplantation at UCSF. She specializes in heart and lung transplantation as well as general cardiac surgery, caring for patients with advanced heart and lung disease who require complex surgical therapies. Dr...

We are proud to announce that UCSF has been ranked #6 on the “TSF Top 20” 2025 Honor Roll, recognizing the institutions that have received the most cumulative grant funding from The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) since 1993. This historic distinction reflects decades of leadership and innovation across our...

In recognition of Dr. Tobias Deuse's professionalism, excellence, dedication, and contribution to the teaching of Thoracic Surgery Residents, Dr. Tobias Deuse was selected to be the recipient of the UCSF Thoracic Surgery Residency Program Teaching Award for AY 2024-2025.

Dr. Arthur N. Thomas, MD, a distinguished figure in thoracic surgery, who served as Professor of Surgery at UCSF and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at San Francisco General Hospital from 1971 to 2000, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the age of 94 years. Born in Salinas, California, Dr...

The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce Dr. Melissa Coleman as Associate Program Director in the General Surgery Residency Program. Dr. Coleman will be the Associate Program Director of Curriculum. Dr. Melissa Coleman is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. She...

We are pleased to announce the results of our 2025 Thoracic Surgery Fellowship Match! Timothy Harris – Cardiac Track Born in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Harris was a first-generation college graduate of the University of Washington, where he studied international studies and psychology, graduating with honors. Following...

Pioneering space research leverages microgravity for tissue engineering breakthroughs Key Takeaways Microgravity Innovation: The unique conditions of low Earth orbit help to self-assemble human liver tissues with enhanced functionality, compared to Earth-based methods. Advanced Tissue Preservation: The project...

Johannes Kratz, MD has been chosen as a recipient of UCSF Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators' Excellence in Teaching Award for 2023. The Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators is dedicated to creating an environment that enhances the status of teachers at UCSF, promotes and rewards teaching...

Dr. Amy G. Fiedler was named the co-director of the cardiac critical care Unit at UCSF Health. UCSF's Cardiac Critical Care Unit provides comprehensive hospital care to critically ill adults being treated primarily for heart conditions, including heart attacks and heart failure. Other patients with life...

In recognition of Jason W. Smith's professionalism, excellence, dedication, and contribution to the teaching of Thoracic Surgery Residents, Dr. Jason W. Smith was selected to be the recipient of the UCSF Thoracic Surgery Residency Program Teaching Award for 2022-2023. Dr. Jason W. Smith earned his medical degree...

Thoracic surgeon Johannes Kratz, MD, has been selected as UCSF’s first medical director of robotic surgery. He served as co-director of UCSF Health’s robotic executive committee from 2018 to 2022, becoming its sole director in 2022. Under his stewardship, the program has grown year over year, with UCSF surgeons...

We are pleased to announce that Johannes Kratz, MD has been selected as UCSF’s first Medical Director of Robotic Surgery. Johannes has served as co-Director of the UCSF Health Robotic Executive committee from 2018-2022 and in 2022 became sole director of the same. Under his careful stewardship, robotic surgeries...