Dr. Melissa Zimel, pictured above, has been selected to receive the prestigious Exceptional Physician Award from UCSF Health next week, recognizing her exceptional dedication to patient care and medical innovation. (Photo: UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery)
SAN FRANCISCO (March 21, 2024) — The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery proudly announces Melissa Zimel, MD, as the recipient of the prestigious UCSF Health Exceptional Physician Award for the 2023-24 academic year. Dr. Zimel, an orthopaedic oncologist renowned for her dedication to patient care and medical innovation, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field.
The Exceptional Physician Awards, bestowed annually by UCSF Health, celebrate physicians who not only provide exemplary patient care but also embody the institution's core values of professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence. Dr. Zimel's exceptional commitment to these principles has earned her this esteemed accolade.
In a statement released by UCSF Health, Dr. Zimel's remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to her patients and colleagues were highlighted. "Dr. Zimel's tireless efforts and exceptional patient care reflect the highest standards of excellence upheld by UCSF Health," said Josh Adler, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, UCSF Health. "Her recognition is a testament to her outstanding contributions to the medical community and her steadfast commitment to providing compassionate care."
This year's Exceptional Physician Awards ceremony, marking its 21st annual celebration, will be presented virtually on March 28, 2024, coinciding with National Doctors' Day. The event will honor Dr. Zimel and other distinguished recipients for their remarkable accomplishments and significant impact on patient care.
About Melissa Zimel, MD
Dr. Zimel, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, specializes in diagnosing and treating bone and soft tissue tumors in both pediatric and adult patients. Her expertise extends to complex joint reconstruction and the management of metastatic bone cancer, demonstrating her proficiency in addressing a wide range of orthopaedic oncology conditions.
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Zimel pursued her medical education at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine after completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California. She further honed her skills through residency training at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, followed by fellowship training in orthopaedic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Before joining UCSF, Dr. Zimel served as an Assistant Professor of Oncology at Wayne State University, where she played a pivotal role in the Sarcoma Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.
In addition to seeing patients at the Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building on the UCSF Mission Bay campus in San Francisco, she continues groundbreaking work as part of the UCSF Sarcoma Center, for which she serves as its Director.
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