Chief Resident Message

On behalf of the residency, we are excited to welcome you to the UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care! As chief residents, we are proud to be part of a program that combines exceptional clinical training with a truly supportive and collaborative culture.

Our residency program seeks to produce leaders who are dedicated to innovation, education, and progress in the field of anesthesiology. Our current chair Dr. Michael Gropper and residency program director Dr. Kristina Sullivan help to cultivate one of the top training programs in the country with a wide breadth of training environments.

UCSF Anesthesia is ideal for those trainees seeking unparalleled clinical education. Residents at UCSF train at several sites throughout the city of San Francisco; each with unique surgical cases and patient populations. Whether you are doing a liver transplant at Moffitt-Long Hospital, resuscitating a trauma victim at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, honing your regional anesthesia skills at our Orthopedic Institute, or providing anesthesia for open-heart surgery at the VA hospital, you will be exposed to an unbelievable depth and breadth of experience comparable to few other training programs. As residents, we deeply value this wide scope, training us to be adaptable to various health systems and familiar with many practice environments.

Our program is also built on a culture of support, curiosity, and growth. Every day, we are challenged to push ourselves clinically, think critically, and approach patient care with both precision and compassion. At the same time, we are surrounded by mentors who are deeply invested in our success—not only as anesthesiologists but also as future leaders, educators, and well-rounded individuals. Residency is demanding, but here you’ll find a community that looks out for one another and celebrates each other’s achievements. Whether in the operating room, the ICU, or during a late-night call, you’ll never be without the encouragement and camaraderie of your peers.

Training in San Francisco adds a unique dimension to residency. The city’s diverse patient population provides a rich and rigorous clinical experience. Outside the hospital, San Francisco offers endless opportunities to recharge—from weekend hikes or wine tasting, Golden Gate views or ocean surfing, and unbeatable food, music, and sports, living here gives you the best of both professional and personal worlds.

We are excited to meet you throughout this interview season to learn how our program can support your unique goals. Please do not hesitate to contact us with further specific questions. Thank you for your interest, and we appreciate the opportunity to share our program with you!

Warmly,

Camara, Emily, Erick, Rachel
Chief Residents 2025-2026

Image