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Julie Ann Sosa, M.D., M.A., FACS, FSSO

  • Chair, Department of Surgery
  • Leon Goldman, MD Distinguished Professor of Surgery
  • Professor, Department of Medicine
  • Affiliated faculty, Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies
  • University of California, San Francisco

Contact Information

(415) 476-1236 - Phone
(415) 476-1734 - Fax
[email protected]

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Education

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, M.D., 1994

Residencies

  • Junior Resident, General Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, 1995 - 1996
  • Senior Resident, General Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, 1998 - 1999
  • Halsted Chief Resident, General Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, 2000 - 2001

Fellowships

  • Specialist Registrar, John Radcliffe And Churchill Hospitals, University Of Oxford, Johns Hopkins University, 2000 - 2000

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Surgery

Clinical Expertise

Website Links

Biography

Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS is professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Surgery and holds the Leon Goldman, MD, Distinguished Professorship in Surgery. 

Dr. Sosa was born in Montreal and raised in upstate New York. She received her AB at Princeton, her MA at Oxford, and her MD at Johns Hopkins, where she also completed the Halsted residency program and a fellowship. Her clinical interest is in endocrine surgery, with a focus in thyroid cancer. She is widely published in outcomes analysis, as well as cost-effectiveness analysis, meta-analysis, and survey-based research.

Dr. Sosa is the newly elected editor in chief of the World Journal of Surgery, having served previously as deputy editor of JAMA-Surgery and associate editor of the Journal of Surgical Research. She is on the editorial boards of the Annals of Surgery, Surgery, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Endocrine, Hormones and Cancer, Journal of Thyroid Research, and the International Journal of Endocrine Oncology. She is Treasurer of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) and serves on the Board of Directors/Executive Council of the ATA, Society of Surgical Oncology, International Thyroid Oncology Group, and Association for Academic Surgery Foundation. She has served on ATA guidelines committees for hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer, and on the NCCN guidelines committee for neuroendocrine tumors. 

Dr. Sosa has published more than 280 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 50 book chapters, and has authored/edited 4 books. She has been the recipient of grants from the NIH/NCI, Paget Foundation, the Association for Academic Surgery, the Donaghue Foundation, the American Geriatrics Association/Hartford Foundation, and the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Fund.

Awards & Honors

  Award  
  Confired By    
  Date    
  • Fellow, Council of Deans Fellowship Program
  • AAMC
  • 2023 - 2024
  • President
  • American Thyroid Association
  • 2022 - 2023
  • Distinguished Service Award
  • American Thyroid Association
  • 2022
  • Chancellor Award for Diversity - Advancement of Women
  • UCSF
  • 2022
  • Member, Academy of Master Surgeon Educators
  • American College of Surgeons
  • 2020
  • Lewis E. Braverman Distinguished Lectureship Award
  • American Thyroid Association
  • 2017
  • Woman of the Year in Thyroidology
  • American Thyroid Association
  • 2017
  • Invited International Visitor, Younger Fellows Section, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Bris
  • 2016
  • Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Class of 2016
  • 2015
  • Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Alumna Award
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • 2015
  • Johns Hopkins University Society of Scholars
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • 2014
  • Association for Academic Surgery International Visiting Professorship Award, co-sponsored by the AAS
  • 2010
  • Dennis Jahnigen Career Development Scholar Award
  • American Geriatrics Society
  • 2006
  • JJ Roslyn Faculty Research Award from the Assn. for Academic Surgery
  • 2005
  • John G. Haddad, Jr. Award
  • Paget Foundation
  • 2004
  • Resident of the Year Award
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital, Department of Srgery
  • 2001
  • 1998 Baltimore Academy of Surgery Resident Prize
  • 1998
  • American Association of Endocrine Surgeons’ Resident Prize, Orlando, FL
  • American Association of Endocrine Surgeons
  • 1998
  • Helen B. Taussig-Alfred Blalock Research Prize for the best clinical research by a house officer or
  • Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine
  • 1998
  • Upjohn Award for the best clinical research by a member of the surgical housestaff
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • 1997
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
  • 1994
  • William Stewart Halsted Award: for outstanding performance in the surgical sciences
  • Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine
  • 1994
  • Richard A. Lester Award: for the outstanding book published in industrial relations and labor econom
  • 1990
  • Daniel M. Sachs Class of 1960 Graduating Scholarship: supporting two years of graduate study at Oxfo
  • Oxford University
  • 1988

    • Research Overview

    Dr. Sosa has served as principal investigator on a number of therapeutic and correlative clinical trials, largely centered around the development of novel small molecule therapies for advanced thyroid cancer and understanding environmental risk factors for the development of the disease. She has mentored more than 70 students, residents, and fellows, and has made surgical education a focus of her science, co-directing the multi-year, prospective National Study of Expectations and Attitudes of Residents in Surgery (NEARS) in conjunction with the American Board of Surgery.

    Research Protocols

    "Automated isolation of single cells using high-resolution and subcellular imaging"
    "The association of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and papillary thyroid carcinoma"
    "The genetics of endocrine neoplasia registry (GENR): A registry for patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma"

    Mentoring Overview

    Dr Sosa's clinical interests are in surgical oncology, focused primarily on the management of thyroid cancer. Her research interests are in health services, clinical trials and translational research, focusing on identifying ways to optimize patient outcomes following surgery and in the arena of endocrine neoplasia and thyroid cancer in particular. Dr. Sosa has mentored approximately 75 students, residents, fellows and junior faculty over her career.

    Trainees can participate in her endocrine surgery research group and ongoing research efforts focused in cancer registry development, clinical trials, and outcomes research in surgical oncology, including R-01/FDA collaboration.

    Research & Funding

    Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI
    ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3356-7316 Additional info
    • Addressing Surgical Disparities at the Root; Working to improve diversity in the surgical workforce
      Sponsor:
      Sponsor ID:
      Funding Period:
      Apr 2023
      -
      Mar 2028
      Co-Principal Investigator
    • A novel natural history study of medullary thyroid carcinoma: Incorporating the patient perspective to inform advanced disease management
      Sponsor:
      Sponsor ID:
      Funding Period:
      Sep 2019
      -
      Jul 2023
      Co-Principal Investigator
    • Single cell analysis of intratumoral heterogeneity in parathyroid neoplasia
      Sponsor:
      Sponsor ID:
      Funding Period:
      Jan 2015
      -
      Dec 2016
      Co-Principal Investigator

    Clinical Trials

    Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI

    Publications

    MOST RECENT PUBLICATIONS FROM A TOTAL OF 388
    Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI
    1. Sosa JA. World Journal of Surgery is Pleased to Welcome Dr. Diamantis I. Tsilimigras as a New Assistant Editor for Visual Abstracts and Social Media to Our Leadership Team. World J Surg. 2023 Nov; 47(11):2599. View in PubMed
    2. Wilhelm A, Conroy PC, Calthorpe L, Frye W, Sosa JA, Roman S. Routine use of intraoperative nerve monitoring is associated with a reduced risk of vocal cord dysfunction after thyroid cancer surgery. BMC Surg. 2023 Aug 02; 23(1):215. View in PubMed
    3. Sosa JA. The World Journal of Surgery Welcomes Dr. Sherry Wren of the USA as a New Associate Editor. World J Surg. 2023 09; 47(9):2090. View in PubMed
    4. Keenan BP, Sibley A, Zhang L, Westring AF, Velazquez AI, Bank EM, Bergsland EK, Boreta L, Conroy P, Daras M, Hermiston M, Hsu G, Paris PL, Piawah S, Sinha S, Sosa JA, Tsang M, Venook AP, Wong M, Yom SS, Van Loon K. Evaluation of Culture Conducive to Academic Success by Gender at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Oncologist. 2023 Jul 13. View in PubMed
    5. Dimick JB, Harris C, Barrett M, Kent KC, Sosa JA, Farmer DL. American Surgical Association Presidential Session: Navigating the Collision of Corporate Medicine and Changing Workforce Expectations. Ann Surg. 2023 10 01; 278(4):471-478. View in PubMed
    6. View All Publications

    Videos

    Data provided by UCSF Profiles, powered by CTSI
    1. Message From the Chair of Surgery, UCSF
    2. 8th Annual Joseph A. Ignatius, MD Lecture in Surgery at Stanford University Department of Surgery
    3. Message From the Chair of Surgery, UCSF

    In the News

    • Drs. Linda Reilly and Julie Ann Sosa to Be Inducted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators

      UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - July 29, 2020
      The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has announced that Linda M. Reilly, M.D. and Julie Ann Sosa, M.D., M.A. will be inducted into its prestigious Academy of Master Surgeon Educators. Dr. Reilly is Professor of Surgery in the Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery and Director of the UCSF General Surgery Residency Program. Dr. Sosa is Chair of the Department of Surgery at UCSF and Leon Goldman, MD Distinguished Professor of Surgery.  The  Academy of Master Surgeon Educators is [...]

    • Developing Perioperative Covid-19 Testing Protocols to Restore Surgical Services

      UCSF Department of Surgery - NEJM Catayst - June 26, 2020
      Since the first community-transmission of Covid-19 was identified in the United States on February 26, 2020,1 the medical community has experienced an upheaval like never before. Looking to the experiences abroad, urgent steps were taken to reduce surgical cases and preserve inpatient capacity for a potential surge of Covid-19 patients.2 Many patients in need of nonurgent but essential surgical care were delayed those services. At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), we [...]

    • Patient preferences around extent of surgery in low-risk thyroid cancer: A discrete-choice experiment

      UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - March 26, 2020
      A research team including Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS, Chair of the UCSF Department of Surgery, have published a paper in the journal Thyroid about patient preferences pertaining to surgical options for thyroid cancer. Specifically, the study identifies patient preferences for ascertaining risks and benefits associated with lobectomy vs. total thyroidectomy for low-risk thyroid cancer.  The paper was recommended by faculty at F1000 Prime, a continually updated collection of over 145,000 [...]

    • Dr. Julie Ann Sosa Co-PI on Multi-Institutional NIH-FDA R01 Grant Seeking to Understand the Natural History of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma to Inform Better Treatments

      UCSF Department of Surgery - UCSF Department of Surgery - December 19, 2019
      Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS (right), Chair of the UCSF Department of Surgery and Leon Goldman, MD, Distinguished Professorship in Surgery, has been awarded a prestigious NIH-FDA R01 Grant as Co-Principal Investigator on a multi-institutional study of medullary thyroid carcinoma. The other PI in the study is Elizabeth Gardner Grubbs, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. By elucidating the [...]

    • Association of Demographic and Program Factors With ABS Qualifying and Certifying Examinations Pass Rates

      UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - December 16, 2019
      Original Investigation Association of Demographic and Program Factors With ABS Qualifying and Certifying Examinations Pass RatesJAMA Surg. Published online October 16, 2019.Heather L. Yeo, MD, MHS, MBA, MS; Patrick T. Dolan, MD, MS; Jialin Mao, MD, MS; Julie A. Sosa, MD, MARead Abstract Key Points Question  Is there an association between sociodemographic factors and American Board of Surgery board examination passage rates? Findings  In this study of 662 individuals, trainees of Hispanic [...]

    • Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS Delivers 8th Annual Joseph A. Ignatius, MD Lecture in Surgery at Stanford University

      UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - December 10, 2018
      Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS, Leon Goldman, MD, Distinguished Professorship in Surgery and chair of the UCSF Department of Surgery, delivered the 8th Annual Joseph A. Ignatius, MD Lecture in Surgery at Stanford University on October 30, 2018. The topic was "The rise of thyroid cancer and its evolving management: When is less more?" Dr. Sosa is a world-renowned endocrine surgeon with a major focus in thyroid cancer and clinical outcomes research.

    • UCSF General Surgery Residency Program Ranked No. 1 in Western U.S. in Annual Doximity Survey

      Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - August 23, 2018
      The UCSF General Surgery Residency was ranked No. 1 in research output and by reputation among sister programs in California and across the western U.S. in the Doximity 2018-19 annual survey. Nationally, the program placed in the 99th percentile for research output.  The residency program is led by Department Chair Julie Ann Sosa, M.D., M.A., FACS, Program Director Linda M. Reilly, M.D., Associate Directors Ryutaro Hirose, M.D., Kenzo Hirose, M.D., and Lygia Stewart, M.D., and Administrative [...]

    • UCSF Naffziger Society Symposium to be Held May 11th with Harvard Professor Gerard M. Doherty as Featured Guest Lecturer

      UCSF Department of Surgery - Richard Barg - May 03, 2018
      The UCSF Howard C. Naffziger Surgical Society, the alumni society for graduates of the the UCSF General Surgery Residency Program and associate members, will hold its 2nd annual "Naffziger Society Day" symposium on Friday May 11th in San Francisco.  Naffziger Society Day brings together multiple generations of UCSF surgeons including former chief residents, surgeons in academic medicine, those with community practices, and retired surgeons. The symposium generates substantive discussion of the [...]

    • Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS Named Chair of UCSF Department of Surgery

      UCSF Department of Surgery - UCSF Department of Surgery - January 31, 2018
      Julie Ann Sosa, MD, MA, FACS will be the new chair of the UCSF Department of Surgery, effective April 1, 2018. She will also hold the Leon Goldman, MD, Distinguished Professorship in Surgery. Dr. John P. Roberts, who has led the department as interim chair since October 2016, will continue in his leadership role until Dr. Sosa's arrival.  Dr. Sosa is currently a professor of Surgery and of Medicine (Oncology) and chief of Endocrine Surgery at the Duke University School of Medicine. She also [...]

     

     
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