Announcing the Vice Chair of Professionalism, Oana Maties, MD

We are pleased to announce Oana Maties, MD, as vice chair of professionalism in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care. The vice chair of professionalism serves as a resource for the department’s clinical leadership and division chiefs to address misconduct and professional lapses as they arise.

Oana graduated from Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy at the Bucharest, Romania School of Medicine. After completing an internship in general surgery and family practice at St. Mary’s Hospital in Bucharest, Romania and residencies in internal medicine and general intensive care at Southampton General Hospital in Southampton, United Kingdom, Oana completed her anesthesiology training at Wessex School of Anaesthesia, United Kingdom. Oana joined our department in 2012.

Oana is a part of both the neuroanesthesia and spine clinical teams and she devotes most of her clinical time at Parnassus to these specialties. Her clinical work at Mission Bay involves providing anesthesia for various surgical specialties, including plastics, gynecology, and head and neck surgery, all of which allow her to highlight her area of interest and expertise: difficult airway management. Oana also takes call in the obstetric unit at Mission Bay and is part of the acute pain and prepare clinic teams.

Oana has taken on several roles in the department. She serves as director of Simulation Education for medical students and director of Mission Bay Adult OR Rotation for residents as well as co-chair of the Compensation Committee and director of curriculum for the Anesthesia Education Day. She is finishing her term as faculty representative on the Executive Committee.

I would like to express my appreciation to Dorre Nicholau, MD, PhD for her service as the inaugural vice chair of professionalism and well-being in the department, and the first such vice chair holder at UCSF School of Medicine. Within the School of Medicine, Dorre has led the Physician Well-being Committee, the Committee on Professionalism, and the Patient Advocacy Reporting System. As a longtime member of the Academic Standards Committee, she also reviews documented deficiencies in medical students’ performance or professionalism. Dorre has been extraordinarily dedicated to physician well-being in both the department and health system. She has helped countless faculty and trainees navigate stressful situations. As a member of the departmental executive committee, Dorre has led many initiatives to improve the work experience for the entire department. Dorre is approachable, compassionate, and a tireless advocate for the department.

As vice chair of professionalism, Oana will gather information and documentation; resolve incidents with one-on-one meetings and discussion; draft and administer evaluations when needed; and speak with and offer awareness to faculty members across various departments when professional issues arise. She will work closely with the department Well-Being Committee, fostering interventions and creating plans of action. Oana will become familiar with and manage the UCSF FPPE (Focused Professional Practice Evaluation) process, drafting and monitoring department FPPE agreements with division chiefs. She will develop and manage departmental professionalism goals and conceive of and facilitate faculty and resident professionalism training.

We are confident that Oana will bring her commitment to learners and colleagues to this role, which will result in the advancement of well-being and professionalism within our department and the greater health system. Please join us in congratulating Oana!