 Yumi Mitsuya, MD |
 Chloe Connolly Dlott, MD |
The annual honor recognizes physicians who elevate patient care and embody UCSF’s PRIDE Values.
SAN FRANCISCO (March 3, 2026) — In medicine, distinction often reveals itself not in grand gestures but in constancy — in steady leadership, in careful listening, and in the daily discipline of earning a patient’s trust.
This year, the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery celebrates two physicians whose work reflects that quiet excellence. Yumi Mitsuya, MD and Chloe Connolly Dlott, MD have been named recipients of the 2026 Exceptional Physician Award, an annual honor presented to a select group of UCSF Health physicians.
The award recognizes those who provide outstanding patient care, advance the mission of UCSF Health, and exemplify the organization’s PRIDE Values: professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence.
“At the heart of our department is a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care,” said C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Chair of the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “Dr. Mitsuya and Dr. Dlott represent that commitment in its fullest form. Their dedication to excellence, teamwork, and service strengthens not only our department, but the broader UCSF community.”
The 2026 awards will be presented during a virtual ceremony debuting on Doctors’ Day, March 30.
Yumi Mitsuya, MD
Medical Director, Inpatient Rehabilitation Program
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
As Medical Director of the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Dr. Yumi Mitsuya provides steady, principled leadership for one of the region’s most complex pediatric rehabilitation services. She consistently embodies UCSF Health’s PRIDE Values through her professionalism, integrity, and deep respect for patients, families, and colleagues.
In addition to her role as Medical Director, Dr. Mitsuya serves as Division Chief of Pediatric Rehabilitation Services at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. In this hospital-based leadership role, she oversees the interdisciplinary rehabilitation service, including Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. This operational leadership role is distinct from School of Medicine division chief appointments and focuses on the coordination and delivery of comprehensive rehabilitation care across the hospital.
A trusted and thoughtful leader, Dr. Mitsuya listens carefully, considers diverse perspectives, and guides teams toward fair, patient-centered solutions — particularly in moments of uncertainty. Whether advocating for a child with complex rehabilitation needs or supporting her clinical team, she leads with clarity and unwavering commitment.
Dr. Mitsuya specializes in the care of children with congenital and acquired disabilities, including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular disorders, and brain and spinal cord injuries, with a special interest in neurotrauma. Her expertise includes spasticity management with botulinum toxin chemodenervation and ethanol chemoneurolysis, as well as intrathecal baclofen pump therapy — interventions that can significantly improve function and quality of life.
She earned her medical degree from Albany Medical College, completed her Pediatrics residency at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, and her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stanford University. Her research interests focus on advancing care for children with cerebral palsy, neurotrauma, and spinal disorders.
Education, Mentorship, and Advancing PRIDE Values
Education is central to Dr. Mitsuya’s leadership. She provides daily bedside teaching for pediatric residents on the acute rehabilitation unit at Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and regularly delivers Noon Conference lectures and resident didactic sessions, integrating clinical rigor with compassionate, patient-centered practice.
From 2019 to 2023, she served as Resident Education Lead for Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at BCH Oakland and as Site Director for the Stanford PM&R pediatric rehabilitation rotation. She has mentored multiple residents who have gone on to pursue Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine themselves — roles that reflect her sustained investment in shaping future physicians.
Her commitment to UCSF’s PRIDE Values is especially evident in her educational initiatives. In collaboration with the UCSF–UC Berkeley Joint Medical Program, she helped design and host a half-day clinical experience for medical students as part of their anti-ableism curriculum. The program combined foundational teaching with hands-on exposure to adaptive equipment and meaningful dialogue with a rehabilitation patient, fostering a deeper understanding of disability-centered, inclusive care.
Through her clinical leadership and dedication to mentorship, Dr. Mitsuya advances not only pediatric rehabilitation, but also a culture of equity, respect, and excellence across UCSF.
Chloe Connolly Dlott, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
As an orthopaedic surgery resident in the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Chloe Dlott has distinguished herself through clinical excellence, professionalism, and a steady presence in demanding care environments. Whether in the operating room or managing complex inpatient cases, she approaches each responsibility with preparation, focus, and deep respect for her patients.
She collaborates seamlessly across multidisciplinary teams and is widely recognized for her clear communication and composure — particularly during high-acuity situations where thoughtful judgment is essential. Her colleagues note her attentiveness to detail and her ability to anticipate both patient and team needs.
“Dr. Dlott exemplifies the qualities we hope to cultivate in every resident,” said Antony Ding, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and Residency Program Director for the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “She combines technical skill with maturity, humility, and genuine compassion for her patients. She is someone her peers trust, and someone our faculty are proud to train.”
Equally committed to mentorship, Dr. Dlott supports medical students and junior residents with patience and generosity, fostering a culture of teamwork and respect within the department. Those who work alongside her describe her as dependable, thoughtful, and consistently dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care.
A native of Capitola, California, Dr. Dlott earned her undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys baking (especially chocolate desserts), reading, knitting, playing tennis, and taking walks along the beach.