Dr. Christopher Dowd is an expert in neurointerventional radiology, the minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving blood vessels of the brain and spine. He has special interests in treating brain aneurysms and vascular malformations using endovascular techniques. After receiving his undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard University, Dowd earned his medical degree at the University of Virginia. He completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at University of California, San Diego, and fellowships in neuroradiology and interventional radiology at UCSF, where he joined the faculty in 1987. Dowd is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Clinical Teacher of the Year award from the UCSF Department of Dermatology and Elliot Lasser Award from the UCSD Department of Radiology. Dr. Dowd is highly rated in 10 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Arteriovenous Malformation, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Vein of Galen Aneurysm, Thrombectomy, and Stent Placement.

Dr. Javier Villanueva-Meyer is a neuroradiologist who specializes in brain tumor imaging. He is experienced in CT, MRI and X-ray imaging of the head and neck, brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. He also performs image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat conditions of the nervous system, with techniques including percutaneous biopsy (image-guided skin punctures to obtain samples for analysis), lumbar puncture, myelography (examining the spinal canal), cisternography (examining the fluid around the brain and spinal cord), epidural injection and selective nerve root injection. He has a special interest in improving the quality of care in the practice of radiology and biomedical imaging. Villanueva-Meyer's research focuses on the how best to use molecular imaging techniques for brain cancer patients. He works closely with colleagues in the UCSF Brain Tumor Center to evaluate emerging imaging and interpretation technologies. Villanueva-Meyer earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. At UCSF, he completed a residency in diagnostic radiology and a fellowship in neuroradiology. Also at UCSF, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the National Institutes of Health as part of a program that prepares doctors to conduct research in areas that will most serve the nation's needs. Dr. Villanueva is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Meningioma, Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS), Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma (pLGG), Craniectomy, and Orchiectomy.

Dr. Rita Freimanis is a radiologist who specializes in breast imaging. She interprets radiology exams such as mammograms, sonograms and breast MRIs. She also performs needle biopsies (using a needle to obtain a sample of cells for analysis). Freimanis discusses screening regimens with her patients, and helps guide them through the process of mammography and biopsy. She collaborates on her patients' care with their surgeons, oncologists and primary care doctors. Freimanis is UCSF's lead investigator for the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial, TMIST, a clinical trial comparing 2-D and 3-D mammography. The study is being conducted at numerous hospitals across the country and internationally. Freimanis completed her medical degree and her residency in radiology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She is a fellow of the American College of Radiology. Dr. Freimanis is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Breast Lump, and Galactocoele.

Michael Faer is a Radiologist in Oakland, California. Dr. Faer is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Visceromegaly, Angiomyoma, and Uterine Fibroids.

Steven Hetts is a Radiologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Hetts is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Arteriovenous Malformation, Vein of Galen Aneurysm, Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation, Thrombectomy, and Embolectomy.

Erik Gaensler is a Radiologist in Oakland, California. Dr. Gaensler is highly rated in 8 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Ascites, Pleurisy, Pleural Effusion, Gastrostomy, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

Dr. Derek Sun is a radiologist who interprets medical imaging that includes X-rays, ultrasound images, CT scans and MRI. He has a particular interest in diseases and conditions of the abdomen and pelvis. Sun earned his medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He completed a residency in radiology at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, followed by a fellowship in abdominal imaging at UCSF. Sun is passionate about educating physicians-in-training. He serves as associate director of UCSF’s program in abdominal imaging and ultrasound, for which he teaches high-level concepts in medical imaging. He received the Hideyo Minagi Outstanding Teacher Award in 2019. A native San Franciscan, Sun enjoys giving back to his community. He volunteers at a local food bank and promotes STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to Bay Area students. Dr. Sun is highly rated in 26 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Cough, Fibrolamellar Carcinoma, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 2, and Small Bowel Resection.

Caring, compassionate, and patient centered care. Dr. Lee is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Vulvar Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix, and Astrocytoma.

Dr. Spencer Behr is a radiologist with expertise in molecular imaging, radiation therapy and abdominal imaging. He has a special interest in radiomics, extracting data from medical images that can be used to better predict and assess a patient's response to cancer treatment. Behr pursues translational research – applying laboratory findings to the development of medical therapies – on the use of molecular and hybrid imaging to better treat prostate cancer. He is particularly interested in new radiology techniques that combine PET scanning with CT or MRI. He has pursued research projects that involve collaboration among multiple departments, aiming to foster discussions among specialists of various disciplines and to optimize the impact of these studies on patient care. Behr earned his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, serving as chief resident. At UCSF, he completed fellowships in abdominal imaging and nuclear medicine. Behr enjoys mentoring medical students, residents and fellows, and has received national recognition for his excellence in teaching and mentoring. He serves as fellowship director for radiology and biomedical imaging, co-director of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center's Cancer Imaging Research Shared Resource and vice chair of UCSF's Committee on Rules & Jurisdiction. Dr. Behr is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Ureterocele, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Prostatectomy.

Dr. Thomas M. Link is chief of the musculoskeletal imaging section in the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. As clinical director of the department's Musculoskeletal Quantitative Imaging Research (MQIR) group, he has a strong interest in translational research (using study findings to establish new treatments or diagnostic methods). The main focuses of MQIR are: imaging of osteoporosis, particularly developing new techniques for assessing bone quality and density; applying new imaging techniques to the assessment of osteoarthritis and cartilage, and to preventing cartilage degeneration; new imaging sequences for musculoskeletal imaging at high field; and MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound for treatment of bony abnormalities. Link earned his medical degree at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany. He completed his medical residency in Münster, Germany. He completed a research fellowship in radiology at UCSF. Link was a vice chair in the radiology department at the Technical University of Munich before joining UCSF in 2003. Dr. Link is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Sandhaus Ben-Ami Syndrome, Synovitis, MAGIC Syndrome, Endoscopy, and Hip Replacement.

Liina Poder is a Radiologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Poder is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Jaundice, Visceromegaly, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, and Placenta Previa. Dr. Poder is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Robert Flavell is a radiologist who cares for both adults and children, and specializes in nuclear medicine, the use of small amounts of radioactive materials to evaluate organ systems. He is chief of molecular imaging and therapeutics for the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. In research, Flavell focuses on developing new methods of diagnosing and treating cancer using molecular imaging technology, which shows what is taking place in the body at a cellular and molecular level. After earning a doctorate in chemical biology at the Rockefeller University, Flavell earned his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medicine. At UCSF, he completed a residency in diagnostic radiology, followed by a fellowship in nuclear medicine. Dr. Flavell is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, and Fibrolamellar Carcinoma.

Dr. Benjamin M. Yeh is a radiologist who specializes in abdominal imaging. He has particular expertise in computed tomography (CT), contrast materials (substances introduced to make certain internal structures more visible), advanced liver imaging, and imaging of the genital and urinary organs. Yeh has received grants from the National Institutes of Health to study and develop novel CT contrast materials. He holds three patents. Yeh earned his medical degree at Duke University. He completed a residency in radiology and a fellowship in abdominal imaging at UCSF. Yeh is active in teaching at UCSF. Dr. Yeh is highly rated in 11 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 2, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, Small Bowel Resection, and Liver Embolization.

Dr. Ruth Goldstein is a radiologist who specializes in ultrasonography for adults and children. She is a member of the Fetal Treatment Center at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital and conducts research to improve detection of fetal abnormalities, especially those of the brain, spine and thorax. She also participates in evaluating adults with other conditions, such as those who are candidates for liver transplants and those experiencing postmenopausal bleeding. Goldstein earned her medical degree at UCSF, where she also completed a fellowship in diagnostic radiology. She completed a fellowship in nuclear medicine at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. Goldstein directed UCSF's residency training in diagnostic radiology for nine years. Dr. Goldstein is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Jaundice, Visceromegaly, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and Hydrops Fetalis.

Dr. Dorothy Shum is a radiologist who specializes in ultrasound and performs image-guided procedures. She has special interests in ultrasound for gynecologic issues, including infertility; routine and complex obstetrics; and abdominal organ transplants. Shum earned her medical degree from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She completed a residency in diagnostic imaging at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, serving as chief resident. She completed a fellowship in advanced body imaging at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Shum divides her time between UCSF and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), where she provides diagnostic ultrasound and obstetrical care. She is chief of the ultrasound section in ZSFG's radiology department. She is a fellow of the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound and received a gold medal educational exhibit award from the American Roentgen Ray Society. Dr. Shum is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Jaundice, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 2, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1, and Boils.

Dr. Matthew Bucknor is a radiologist who diagnoses and treats diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Guided by imaging technologies including X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI, he performs procedures such as injections, tissue sampling and focal tumor treatments (a noninvasive technique for treating small tumors using energy sources). Bucknor's research focuses on developing magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound, a noninvasive method for treating tumors using sound waves. He oversees UCSF clinical trials that evaluate ways to use this technology for various conditions. Bucknor earned his medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in radiology at UCSF and a fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging and intervention at Stanford. Honoring his commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and health equity in medicine, UCSF named Bucknor a John A. Watson Faculty Scholar and awarded him the Chancellor Award for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership. Dr. Bucknor is highly rated in 7 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Desmoid Tumor, Tenosynovitis, Melorheostosis with Osteopoikilosis, Melorheostosis, and Rhizotomy.

Dr. William Dillon is an expert in neuroradiology, a specialty in which advanced imaging technologies are used to investigate nervous system abnormalities. He has special interests in head and neck radiology and in minimally invasive methods for diagnosing and treating spinal pain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak disorders, which occur when CSF escapes from a tear in the tissue surrounding the brain or spine. Dillon is executive vice chair of the UCSF Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, and he served as neuroradiology section chief from 1992 to 2013. Dillon earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He completed a residency in radiology at the University of Utah, followed by a fellowship in neuroradiology at UCSF. Dillon is past president of both the American Society of Neuroradiology and American Society of Head and Neck Radiology, and has received the Gold Medal Award from both organizations. He has written more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and authored several textbooks. In his free time, Dillon enjoys hiking, traveling to other countries and walking with his wife, Irene, in the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Golden Gate Park. Dr. Dillon is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak, Calvarial Hyperostosis, Sciatica, Thrombectomy, and Cardiac Ablation.

Dr. Vickie Feldstein is a radiologist who specializes in diagnostic ultrasound. She is especially interested in using this technology to assess fetal structural malformations, which she applies to her work with the Fetal Treatment Center at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. In research, Feldstein is involved with a number of projects investigating the applications of diagnostic ultrasound – including Doppler analysis to measure blood flow – for a variety of conditions, including liver disease, gynecologic disorders, complications of twin pregnancies and fetal birth defects. Feldstein graduated cum laude from Harvard College and earned her medical degree from the Dartmouth Medical School and Brown University Program in Medicine. She went on to complete her residency in diagnostic radiology as well as a fellowship in ultrasonography at UCSF. She is board certified in diagnostic radiology. Dr. Feldstein is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Polyhydramnios, Boils, Jaundice, and Branchial Cleft Cyst.

Pratik Mukherjee is a Radiologist and a Neuroradiologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Mukherjee is highly rated in 3 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Traumatic Brain Injury, Gastric Lymphoma, Corpus Callosum Agenesis, and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Dr. Loretta Strachowski, who goes by Lori, is a radiologist who specializes in ultrasound and breast imaging with a focus in women's health. She served as chief of ultrasound at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFGH) for 18 years before retiring from the role in 2017. She takes a hands-on approach to ultrasound – often administering scans herself – a practice she advises residents and fellows to emulate. Over the years, Strachowski has sought to reinforce radiologists' expertise in obstetrical ultrasound by upholding the highest clinical standards and emphasizing compassionate and timely patient care. She is a fierce advocate for obstetric care for underserved, high-risk patients, promulgating the value of exams that can help identify complex fetal abnormalities and complications of pregnancy. Strachowski's research has looked at ultrasound assessment of acute and cancerous gynecologic processes. Her work has been instrumental in promoting a standardized reporting system for findings in the ovaries to help assess the risk of malignancy and provide management recommendations. Strachowski co-founded the Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Program at ZSFGH. She served as the program's medical director for 10 years, promoting a variety of high-quality comprehensive services for women, including genetic counseling and testing; educational, outreach and support programs; and bilingual navigators to help every woman feel supported and empowered. She now splits her time doing breast imaging between ZSFGH and UCSF. To optimize patient outcomes, she advocates for an individually tailored approach to breast cancer treatment. Strachowski earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College. She completed a residency in diagnostic radiology at Stanford Medicine, followed by a fellowship in ultrasound at UCSF. Strachowski is a dedicated and highly regarded educator. She finds teaching future radiologists the tricks of the trade to be one of the most rewarding aspects of her work. In 2009, she received the Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators' Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2012, residents in the UCSF diagnostic radiology program selected her to receive the Hideyo Minagi Outstanding Teacher Award. In 2014, 2018 and 2020, she was named the ZSFGH consultant of the year by the residents of the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences. She lectures locally, nationally and internationally, and is known for her enthusiastic teaching style, diagnostic pearls and visually impactful presentations. In her spare time, Strachowski enjoys experimenting with new recipes – saving the tried-and-true meals beloved by her two grown children and new son-in-law to lure them home to visit. She loves to travel and experience new cultures, especially if a breathtaking view, exotic meal or challenging hike is on the itinerary. Dr. Strachowski is highly rated in 1 condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Jaundice, Gallbladder Disease, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, and Breast Lump.

Arash Meshksar is a Radiologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Meshksar is highly rated in 41 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 3, and Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 2.

Edward Baker is a Radiologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Baker is highly rated in 35 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Gallbladder Disease, Visceromegaly, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 3, and Endoscopy.

Wendy Patton is a Radiologist in Oakland, California. Dr. Patton is highly rated in 28 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Scrotal Swelling, Aseptic and Alopecic Nodules of Scalp (AANS), Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 3, and Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1.

Roy Abendroth is a Radiologist and a Radiation Oncologist in San Francisco, California. Dr. Abendroth is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Anal Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma. Dr. Abendroth is currently accepting new patients.

Thomas Urbania is a Radiologist and an Interventional Radiologist in Oakland, California. Dr. Urbania is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lymphofollicular Hyperplasia, Congenital Giant Megaureter, Bronchogenic Cyst, and Pleurisy. Dr. Urbania is currently accepting new patients.