SAN FRANCISCO (August 07, 2026) – The UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is pleased to announce the appointment of Yumi Mitsuya, MD, in her new leadership role as the Benioff Children’s Hospital Medical Director of Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, supporting both UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco.
“Dr. Mitsuya is recognized for her multidisciplinary approach to care, advancing innovative clinical programs, mentoring the next generation of pediatric rehabilitation physicians, and fostering initiatives that improve outcomes and quality of life for children and their families,” said Associate Chief Medical Officer of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, Dr. Lee Atkinson-McEvoy. “We are excited for Dr. Mitsuya to lead our Pediatric PM&R program into its next chapter and look forward to the continued growth, innovation, and excellence she will bring to our patients, families, and care teams.”
Dr. Mitsuya has already served as the Division Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation and Medical Director of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland since 2023. She has helped the program grow its cross-bay rehabilitation services and led the initiative to obtain Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. Her passion for providing patient-centered care and forward-thinking programs has been recognized at a hospital-wide level, with a 2026 UCSF Exceptional Physician Award.
“Dr. Mitsuya’s appointment marks a defining moment for pediatric physiatry at UCSF,” said Division Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dr. Patricia Zheng. “By uniting pediatric rehabilitation services across the Bay, she will help the group to continue to advance patient care, education, and research.”
About Yumi Mitsuya, MD
Dr. Yumi Mitsuya is a pediatrician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation who cares for children with disabilities that develop at birth or occur later in life, including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders, and brain and spinal cord injuries. She has a special interest in brain injuries. Her expertise includes managing spasticity (a condition causing involuntary muscle contraction, leading to stiffness and tightness) with botulinum toxin chemodenervation (using a chemical to block the nerves that control muscles) and ethanol chemoneurolysis (using a chemical to destroy specific nerves), as well as intrathecal baclofen pump therapy (delivering a muscle relaxant directly through the spinal canal). In research, Dr. Mitsuya focuses on advancing care for children with cerebral palsy, neurotrauma, and spinal disorders.