The 20 Best Hypothalamic Hamartomas Doctors near San Francisco, CA

Dr. Umesh Masharani is an endocrinologist who cares for patients with diabetes and thyroid disorders. He also has an endocrine faculty practice. Masharani's research focuses mainly on diabetes, with a particular interest in insulin resistance. He collaborates with colleagues in the family medicine departments to examine the relationships among glucose control, depression and psychosocial stress in people with diabetes. He is part of the islet auto-transplantation group, which has an active program managing patients who require surgical removal of the pancreas for chronic pancreatitis and are candidates for islet auto-transplant, a procedure that allows the patient's body to continue producing insulin. The islet transplant group is also studying donor islet transplants as a treatment for type 1 diabetes. In addition, Masharani is collaborating with Dr. George Brooks, a professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley, to examine the impact of exercise and aging on mitochondrial function. Masharani earned his bachelor's degree in physiological sciences at the University of Oxford. He earned his medical degree at Middlesex Health in London. He completed his residency in internal medicine at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham, England. He completed a fellowship in endocrinology at UCSF. Dr. Masharani is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Islet Cell Transplantation.

Madhu Rao is an Endocrinologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Rao is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. Her top areas of expertise are Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Dr. Robert Bhisitkul is an ophthalmologist and retina specialist who provides medical and laser treatment for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. He also performs surgery on macular hole and macular pucker (conditions that cause blurred or distorted vision), retinal detachment and complications of diabetic eye disease. Bhisitkul recruits patients to participate in UCSF clinical trials on novel therapies for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and also for studies on long-term outcomes for treatments such as surgically implantable devices that deliver medication. He also conducts research on retinal disease mechanisms and surgical innovations. With the USCF Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, he is collaborating on a project to develop a bioengineered polymer device for ocular drug delivery. Bhisitkul earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine and his doctoral degree in neurosciences at Yale University. He completed a residency in ophthalmology and a vitreoretinal fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Bhisitkul has received the Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has published more than 60 papers in clinical and scientific journals. He serves on the editorial board of American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports and has served as associate editor of the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Bhisitkul is an associate examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and has served on the exam committee of Kuwait's ophthalmology board. Dr. Bhisitkul is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Retinal Vein Occlusion, Retinal Artery Occlusion, and Vitrectomy.

Bertil Damato is an Ophthalmologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Damato is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Uveal Melanoma, Melanoma of the Eye, Metastatic Uveal Melanoma, Vitrectomy, and Iridectomy.

Dr. Elad Ziv is a primary care doctor and a specialist in internal medicine. Ziv's research focuses on the genetic epidemiology (how inherited factors play a role in disease) of breast cancer and other age-related diseases. He also studies groups of mixed ethnicity to understand the relationship between environmental and genetic risk factors in explaining differences in cancer incidence. Ziv earned his medical degree and completed a residency in internal medicine at UCSF. He completed a fellowship in internal medicine at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System and later the UCSF general internal medicine research fellowship. Dr. Ziv is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Multiple Myeloma, Asthma, Liver Embolization, and Osteotomy.

Dr. Kendra A. Moore is an internal medicine specialist who provides primary care to adults. Moore's research focuses on ways to support the emotional well-being of physicians and trainees. She is a certified coach and works with faculty, fellows and residents on career satisfaction, communication and leadership. Moore earned her medical degree and a master's degree in bioethics from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed a residency in internal medicine at UCSF, serving as chief resident for an additional year at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Dr. Moore is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. Her top areas of expertise are Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Syndrome, Phacomatosis Pigmentovascularis, Linear Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome, and Tieche-Jadassohn Nevus.

Dr. Maxwell Meng is a surgeon specializing in urologic cancers and laparoscopy. His interests in patient care include diagnosing and managing cancers of the genital and urinary organs, as well as minimally invasive treatments of both benign and malignant diseases. He is experienced in robotic surgery. Meng is active in research to develop new treatment technologies. Meng earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed general surgery and urology training at UCSF, where he also completed fellowships in urologic oncology and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Meng is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Bladder Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Urothelial Cancer, Nephrectomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery.

Dr. Arpita Desai is a medical oncologist who specializes in caring for patients with genitourinary cancers (cancers of the genital or urinary organs). She particularly focuses on kidney and prostate cancers. She serves as medical director of the genitourinary medical oncology program at UCSF, where she leads efforts to deliver multidisciplinary, patient-centered care and advance innovative treatments. She also leads the UCSF kidney cancer program, which brings together clinical care, translational research and innovation to improve outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma. She also serves as medical director of the UCSF Von Hippel–Lindau multidisciplinary clinic, which integrates oncology, genetics, nephrology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, endocrinology and other specialties to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for patients with Von-Hippel Lindau disease (a rare genetic disorder that increases a patient's risk of tumors). Through her leadership, research and national collaborations, Desai is committed to advancing precision medicine in kidney cancer and improving the lives of patients through both cutting-edge clinical care and translational research (lab findings that can lead to improvements in real-world patient care). In research, Desai is interested in developing novel imaging and treatment strategies for renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. She is particularly interested in integrating functional and molecular imaging to personalize treatment and improve patient outcomes. Her research program examines theranostics, hyperpolarized MRI and biomarker-driven approaches to optimize treatments for genitourinary cancers. Desai earned her medical degree at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in India. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where she served as chief resident. She completed a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Chicago. Desai is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American Association for Cancer Research and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Kidney Cancer Guidelines Panel. She has received a Cancer Research Institute Investigator’s Technology Impact Award, Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Merit Award and Dexter S. Levy, MD, Memorial Award for her commitment to teaching and excellence in patient care and has also been recognized with several awards for her mentorship and research. Dr. Desai is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. Her top areas of expertise are Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Familial Wilms Tumor 2, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, and Wilms Tumor.

Dr. David Hwang is an ophthalmologist specializing in corneal, cataract and refractive surgery. He has special interests in ocular infectious diseases, corneal endothelial dystrophies and diseases (conditions in which one of the cornea's layers is breaking down), and high-risk corneal transplantation. He is committed to developing innovative techniques and instruments for ophthalmologic surgery. In research, Hwang's work includes translational endeavors – applying new information from studies to patient care – for corneal endothelial diseases. In particular, he has looked at cellular transplantation and gene therapy approaches to treatment. A native of Illinois, Hwang obtained both his undergraduate and medical degrees from UCSF, graduating first in his medical school class. After a two-year residency in internal medicine and a three-year residency in ophthalmology, both at UCSF, he completed concurrent fellowships in cornea and refractive surgery and in uveitis at the Doheny Eye Institute. In 1990, Hwang joined the faculty at UCSF, where he is the Pearl T. Kimura and Samuel J. Kimura Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology. He also serves as co-director of UCSF's cornea and refractive surgery services, and holds a joint appointment as associate of the UCSF Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research in Ophthalmology. He has served as UCSF's medical director of ophthalmology and as medical eye bank director of UCSF's tissue bank. Hwang has served in leadership and executive roles in a number of professional organizations, including president of the Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group, and executive secretary of the Max Fine Cornea Society. For the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he chaired a joint task force on the use of vancomycin in ophthalmology. He served on the writing committee for the AAO's Basic and Clinical Science Course's volume on cornea and external eye disease, authoring and editing the section on ocular infectious and external eye disease. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has honored Hwang with awards, including the Senior Achievement Award. He has been named to the Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors list every year since 1996. He has published more than 100 scientific papers and abstracts, and co-authored two texts on cornea and refractive surgery. A committed educator, Hwang is active in teaching UCSF medical students, residents and fellows. He has received the Kimura Award for Excellence in Teaching from the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology. Hwang lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, who is also an ophthalmologist, and their three sons. Dr. Hwang is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Fuchs Dystrophy, Macular Corneal Dystrophy Type 1, Keratoconus, Corneal Dystrophy and Perceptive Deafness, and Corneal Transplant.

Dr. James Smith directs the UCSF team that provides fertility preservation counseling and treatments for men. He evaluates and cares for men with general fertility problems, low testosterone, erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease. He specializes in sperm retrieval, microsurgical approaches to vasectomy reversal and surgery to remove enlarged veins in the scrotum. The overall focus of Smith's research is to improve understanding of male reproductive biology, and he seeks to translate his findings on these mechanisms into better fertility treatments. Smith earned both his medical degree and his master's degree in health and medical science in the joint medical program of UCSF and the University of California, Berkeley. He trained in general surgery and urology at the University of Utah, returning to UCSF to complete a fellowship in andrology (the study of the male reproductive system). Smith is an active member of the American Urological Association, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, and Sexual Medicine Society of North America. A basketball fan, Smith loves coaching his daughter's team and cheering for local kids' teams as well as the Golden State Warriors. Dr. Smith is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome, Spermatogenesis Arrest, Male Pseudohermaphroditism with Gynecomastia, and Eunuchoidism Familial Hypogonadotropic.

Dr. Edward Chang is a neurosurgeon who treats adults with difficult-to-control epilepsy, brain tumors, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and movement disorders. He specializes in advanced brain mapping methods to preserve crucial areas for speech and motor functions in the brain. He also has extensive experience with implantable devices that stimulate specific nerves to relieve seizure, movement, pain and other disorders. He is the chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery. Chang's research focuses on the brain mechanisms for speech, movement and learning. He co-directs the Center for Neural Engineering and Prostheses, a collaborative enterprise of UCSF and the University of California, Berkeley. The center brings together experts in engineering, neurology and neurosurgery to develop state-of-the-art biomedical technology to restore function for patients with neurological disabilities such as paralysis and speech disorders. Chang earned his medical degree at UCSF, where he also completed a residency in neurosurgery. He was honored with the Blavatnik National Laureate for Life Sciences in 2015. In 2020, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, an honor that recognizes outstanding achievements and service in the fields of medical sciences, health care and public health. Dr. Chang is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Seizures, Epilepsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Deep Brain Stimulation, and Microvascular Decompression.

Dr. Philip Theodosopoulos is director of the Skull Base Tumor Program and vice chair of neurological surgery at UCSF. Before joining UCSF, he served as director of skull base surgery at the University of Cincinnati for 10 years. Theodosopoulos cares primarily for patients with skull base lesions, particularly malignancies and acoustic neuromas – noncancerous tumors that grow on nerves near the ear. His expertise includes endoscopic treatment of pituitary adenomas and chordomas as well as minimally invasive approaches to the skull base. Theodosopoulos has been a pioneer in the development of new surgical approaches to the skull base. He served as co-principal investigator for the largest prospective multicenter trial of surgical treatment for acoustic neuromas, and he currently serves on the Acoustic Neuroma Association's medical advisory board. He also has extensive expertise in research on patient outcomes. As a resident at UCSF, he completed the full curriculum for outcomes research and clinical epidemiology, and he continues to be involved in outcomes research at both the local and national levels. Theodosopoulos earned his undergraduate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed medical school at Stanford University. He completed his neurosurgical training at UCSF, followed by a fellowship in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Theodosopoulos has been on the faculty for more than 50 national and international surgical courses. He serves on the education committee for the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He serves as residency program director for neurological surgery at UCSF. Dr. Theodosopoulos is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Schwannoma, Acoustic Neuroma, Meningioma, Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Surgery, and Balloon Sinuplasty.

Joyce So is a Medical Genetics provider in San Francisco, California. Dr. So is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. Her top areas of expertise are Buschke-Ollendorff Syndrome, Osteopoikilosis, Trimethylaminuria, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

Neeti Parikh is an Ophthalmologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Parikh is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. Her top areas of expertise are Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, and Cataract Removal.

Isaac Yang is a Neurosurgery provider in San Francisco, California. Dr. Yang is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Meningioma, Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumors (DNET), Brain Stem Cancer, Awake Craniotomy, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Alan Thong is a Urologist and a General Surgeon in Emeryville, California. Dr. Thong has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hypothalamic Hamartomas. His top areas of expertise are Bladder Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Ureterocele, Nephrectomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery.