School of Medicine
Showing 101-149 of 149 Results
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Carolyn Dacey Seib, MD, MAS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
BioDr. Carolyn Dacey Seib is a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon and board-certified general surgeon who specializes in surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. In 2025, she was among the first surgeons in the United States to earn a Focused Practice Designation in Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery from the American Board of Surgery, reflecting her expertise in these procedures and related patient management.
Dr. Seib provides comprehensive and personalized care for patients with thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal disorders, including thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, primary hyperparathyroidism, primary aldosteronism, autonomous cortisol secretion, and pheochromocytomas. Her approach combines advanced surgical techniques with a focus on patient-centered outcomes, ensuring that each treatment plan is tailored to the individual.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Seib is an NIH-funded researcher whose work focuses on optimizing surgical decision-making and outcomes for patients with endocrine disorders. She has received research support from the National Institute on Aging and the American Thyroid Association, and her studies have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and featured in national media, including The New York Times.
Dr. Seib completed her undergraduate education at Princeton University (summa cum laude), earned her medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, and completed her general surgery residency and endocrine surgery fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). -
Saurabh Sharma
Postdoctoral Scholar, General and Vascular Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsWe develop strategies to transport immunotherapeutic molecules across the blood-brain barrier for imaging and treating brain metastatic cancer. Currently, under the mentorship of Dr. Amanda Kirane, I have continued my work in cancer-targeted nanotechnology for the treatment of melanoma brain metastases. Immunotherapy of small peptides, small molecules.
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Andrew A. Shelton, MD, FACS, FACRS
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMultimodality treatment of rectal cancer
Sphincter preserving procedures for rectal cancer
Laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery
Surgical education -
Samuel So, MD
Lui Hac Minh Professor in the School of Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsThrough a 4 pronged comprehensive program: translational and clinical research, early detection and treatment, promoting education, awareness and immunization and building partnership, we are working towards the development of new strategies that will lead to the elimination of hepatitis B worldwide and reduce the threat and incidence of liver cancer. Current research efforts focus on evaluating potential new diagnostic and treatment markers and novel targeted therapy for primary liver cancer.
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David A. Spain, MD
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
On Partial Leave from 01/04/2026 To 02/15/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur main areas of interest are
1. clinical research in trauma and critical illness
2. economics of this care
3. PTSD and stress response after critical injury or illness -
Kristan Staudenmayer, MD, MS, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDefining the Impact of Injuries in the Elderly
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Kimberly Stone, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioKimberly Stone, MD is a board certified General Surgeon who specializes in breast surgical oncology and melanoma surgery. She treats all conditions related to breast health including: breast cancer, high risk prevention and screening, benign breast disease, and conditions related to lactation.
Dr. Stone completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at UCSF, where she trained in all aspects of breast surgical oncology, and melanoma surgery. Dr Stone performs all types of breast surgery including total skin and nipple sparing mastectomy, wireless lumpectomy, benign breast disease excisions and axillary surgery. She works closely with plastic and reconstructive surgeons to offer women the best possible cosmetic options and results following treatment. Dr Stone performs melanoma surgery including wide local excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and lymph node dissections for melanoma.
Dr. Stone strives to deliver compassionate, patient-centered surgical care that is expert and evidence-based while at the same time customized to the unique needs of each patient. She believes that patient empowerment and education are at the heart of an excellent care team. -
Ken Suzuki
Postdoctoral Scholar, General Surgery
BioKen Suzuki is a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University's Department of Surgery. He received his PhD in Economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in June 2024. Before UC Santa Cruz, he earned his MA in Economics from Hitotsubashi University in 2017 and his BA in Economics from Yokohama National University in 2015. His research interests include health economics, applied microeconomics, econometrics, and statistical causal inference. His research utilizes large administrative datasets from the Veterans Health Administration (VA) to examine how health policies affect patient healthcare utilization and health outcomes.
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Candice N. Thompson, MD, MSc, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Thompson is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship-trained breast surgical oncology. She is a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and the Medical Director for the Office of Cancer Health Equity. She is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Thompson clinical interests include treatment of women and men who have breast cancer, benign breast disease, genetic mutations, family history of breast cancer, or other breast cancer risk factors. Procedures performed by Dr. Thompson include lumpectomies (partial mastectomies) using oncoplastic techniques and hidden scar methods, skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies, simple mastectomies with aesthetically flat closure, oncoplastic procedures, benign breast lesion excisions, axillary node dissections, and sentinel lymph node biopsies.
She completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Stanford University under the mentorship of one of the world’s foremost experts in the field. She completed her general surgery training at Georgetown University, where she was the co-administrative chief resident. She is passionate about equitable care and addressing healthcare disparities, especially in breast cancer.
Dr. Thompson works closely with medical oncology, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, genetics, and other breast cancer specialists in a multidisciplinary setting to provide high quality, evidence-based, and individualized care. Dr. Thompson is a strong advocate for patient education and empowerment and strives to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families.
Her research has focused on Nipple Sparing Mastectomies, Community Engagement for Breast Cancer in the Black Community, Immune responses during breast cancer treatment, and prognostic role of Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the management of breast cancer. She also has strong research interests in community engagement, health disparities, oncoplastic surgical options, and cancer biomarkers. She has delivered presentations on a wide range of topics related to breast cancer at national and regional meetings including NRG Oncology, ASBrS, ASC.
For her scholarship and research achievements, Dr. Thompson has won numerous honors and awards. She has earned the resident teaching award during her chief year at Georgetown. She was awarded the Stanford Cancer Institute Clinical Innovation Fund Grant for her work in educating the Black Community about Breast Health and Breast Cancer (2022). She was also awarded the prestigious NCI Early-Surgeon Scientist Program (ESSP) Award to support her early career as a surgeon scientist(2024). She also serves on the AAS Academic Advancement Committee, NRG Oncology Surgical Oncology Committee, NCCN Breast Screening and Diagnosis Panel, and TOUCH Black Breast Advisor for Pink Table Talk.
Dr. Thompson is a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS), Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS), Association of Women Surgeons (AWS), National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), and American Medical Association (AMA).
Outside of work, Dr. Thompson enjoys pilates, tennis, baking, sewing, wine tasting, and traveling. -
Jacqueline Tsai, MD, FACS
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research interests are focused on improving breast cancer surgeries. I am interested in novel techniques in surgery to improve cosmetic outcomes, minimize surgical re-excisions and possible augmented reality technologies to enhance surgery.
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Jenny Lymary Veliz-Urzua, DNP, FNP-BC
Affiliate, Surgery - General Surgery
BioJenny L. Veliz-Urzua, DNP, FNP-BC is Nurse Practitioner for GI Surgical-Oncology at Stanford Health Care Center. She graduated with her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree from Yale University School of Nursing in 2006. Her area of clinical practice includes hepatobiliary, pancreas, gastrointestinal and peritoneal malignancies. She has worked closely with Dr. Byrne Lee, Program Director for Regional Cancer Therapies, to optimize HIPEC patient care experience.
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Banita Verma
Postdoctoral Scholar, General and Vascular Surgery
BioI am Banita Verma, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, currently working with Dr. Fredrick M. Dirbas at the Department of Surgery. Our research focus is to understand the type of cell death and the nature of immune responses triggered by FLASH versus conventional radiotherapy in various murine breast cancer models. Additionally, we aim to explore the role of DAMPs released by dying cells in generating immune responses after both FLASH and conventional radiotherapy. Furthermore, we are interested in studying the mechanism behind the low toxicity of the FLASH compared to conventional radiotherapy to the adjacent non-cancerous tissue. To accomplish this goal, our laboratory is actively collaborating with Dr. Bill Loo, who holds great expertise in the field of radiation oncology.
Before joining Stanford University, I served as a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden from 2021-2023. My research aimed to study the activation mechanism of Cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT), a pivotal enzyme in acetylcholine synthesis. This enzyme is known to be hypoactive in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Our group successfully synthesized novel compounds capable of enhancing ChAT activity.
I completed my doctoral research in cancer biology at the Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, PGIMER Chandigarh, India, in 2021. My work was the evaluation of role of TNF-α mediated Necroptosis in breast cancer cells. My primary research interests are cancer biology and cell death pathways. -
Brendan C. Visser, MD
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Visser's research interests span the breath of his clinical practice. Areas of active research include the multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine cancers, technical aspects of minimally invasive pancreatic and liver surgery, and trends in the management of hepatobiliary cancers in California, focusing on socioeconomic and instituional barriers to appropriate care.
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Irene Wapnir, MD
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
On Partial Leave from 12/16/2025 To 04/15/2026Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical trials in operative procedures such as Nipple-sparing mastectomy, arm lymphatic mapping, skin perfusion and Treatments for Breast Cancer, especially local recurrence. Dr. Wapnir is institutional Principal Investigator and Chair for National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) clinical trials. Laboratory and translational research includes exploring the activity of breast iodide transporter in breast cancer brain metastasis.
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Thomas G Weiser, MD, MPH
Clinical Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Thomas Weiser is a general, emergency, and trauma surgeon, and surgical intensivist. He treats and cares for injured patients and those with acute surgical emergencies as well as manages critically ill surgical patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
His research is focused on evaluating the role surgical care plays in the delivery of health services in resource poor settings, in particular low and middle income countries. He is interested in barriers to access and provision of surgical care, the quality of surgical services, and outcomes research as well as the science of implementation, how improvements can be made, and how to strengthen compliance with best practices and change behaviors for the better. He also has an interest in domestic policy as it relates to trauma outcomes, trauma systems, insurance coverage and costs of care, and firearm violence.
Dr. Weiser's projects have focused on the quality of surgical care, strategies for improving the safety and reliability of surgical delivery, and team communications. He works closely with Lifebox, a nonprofit focused on improving surgical and anesthetic safety worldwide, where he was previously the Consulting Medical Officer. Lifebox delivers programs throughout the world in combination with local partners including individual professionals, professional societies, hospitals, other NGOs, and ministries of health. Lifebox works with hospitals in Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, India, Honduras, and Nicaragua, amongst others, to improve care and evaluate the impact of our work. A few programs of particular impact are the distribution of low cost devices to improve the safety of care (including pulse oximeters for the routine monitoring of patients undergoing anesthesia and a new surgical headlight program) and Clean Cut, a surgical infection prevention and control program now being introduced in several countries.
From 2006-2009, he was part of the World Health Organization’s Safe Surgery Saves Lives program where he quantified the global volume of surgery and created, implemented, evaluated, and promoted the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. He has worked with the WHO and the World Bank, and is completing a Gates Grand Challenge Grant-funded study to improve the safety of cesarean section in Ethiopia.
He is a Program Director at Wellcome Leap where he leads Surgery:Assess/Validate/Expand (SAVE). -
Sherry M. Wren, MD, FACS, FCS(ECSA), FISS
Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur research interests are primarily in global surgery,robotics,surgical oncology, especially gastrointestinal cancers.
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Rachel L. Yang, MD, FACS, NABBLM-C, IBCLC
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Rachel Yang is a board-certified, fellowship-trained breast surgeon and breastfeeding medicine specialist with Stanford Health Care. She is a member of the oncology team at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center in Emeryville.
Dr. Yang specializes in complex procedures to treat breast cancer, including oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery and nipple-sparing mastectomy. She also has expertise in breastfeeding and lactation medicine as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and carries a dual board certification by the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine. Dr. Yang prioritizes compassionate and patient-centered care, understanding that breast cancer or complications of lactation can be extremely personal.
As a physician-researcher, Dr. Yang studies surgical outcomes, health equity, and policy related to breast cancer care. She has investigated topics including disparities in access to breast cancer care and breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Her work has also examined biological factors that influence how breast cancer develops. In addition, Dr. Yang focuses on surgical education, advancing innovative training models, communication, and professional well-being in academic medicine.
Dr. Yang has published her findings in premier peer-reviewed journals, including Cancer, Annals of Surgical Oncology, and Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. She has also presented her research at meetings of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the Association for Surgical Education.
Her presentations have highlighted how race and health policy influence access to surgical options in breast cancer care, as well as ways to make breast surgery more fair, safe, and effective. Dr. Yang has lectured extensively and taught courses to breast care and lactation providers on maternal complications of lactation.
Dr. Yang is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is also a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education. -
Kirbi Yelorda, MD, MS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Kirbi Yelorda is a fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery – Colon and Rectal Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. She completed her colon and rectal surgery fellowship at Mount Sinai Health System and her general surgery residency at Stanford Health Care, where she also earned a Master of Science degree in health research and policy.
Dr. Yelorda specializes in the surgical management of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and benign anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids, fistulas, and fissures. She has advanced training in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques that support enhanced recovery and optimal patient outcomes.
Dr. Yelorda’s research focuses on the impact of social determinants of health on colorectal cancer outcomes and disparities in surgical care. She is particularly interested in surgical education and quality improvement.
Dr. Yelorda has authored articles published in peer-reviewed journals such as JAMA Surgery, Journal of Surgical Education, and Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. She has presented her work at national conferences including those of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Pacific Coast Surgical Association. She is a recipient of Stanford University's Samuel L. Kountz, MD Humanitarian Award.
Dr. Yelorda is an active member of the American College of Surgeons, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. -
Yulia Zak, MD, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor, Surgery - General Surgery
BioDr. Yulia Zak earned her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center before completing general surgery residency at Stanford University and advanced minimally invasive gastrointestinal and bariatric fellowship training at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Zak is certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She has also completed the Stanford Surgical Education and Simulation fellowship and was previously an Assistant Program Director for the general surgery residency program at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Dr. Zak joined the faculty at Stanford in 2018 and is the current Fellowship Associate Program Director. Her current clinical practice is focused on bariatrics, foregut and abdominal wall procedures. Her academic interests include quality improvement, surgical education, and bariatric outcomes.
