Our Team of Experts

Under the direction of Dr. Michael Harrison, the Fetal Treatment Center was the first institution to develop fetal surgery techniques. The first open fetal surgery in the world was performed at UCSF since the early 1980's. We presently have more experience with fetal surgery and endoscopic fetal intervention (FETENDO fetal surgery)than any other institution in the world. Our dedication to research, innovation, and clinical application has included the training of many dedicated physicians.

The Fetal Treatment Center combines the talents of specialists in pediatric surgery, genetics, obstetrics/perinatology, radiology, nursing, and neonatal medicine. Our team of doctors, nurses, and social workers work together to coordinate all aspects of care from diagnosis to postoperative recovery and long-term follow-up.

Our Multidisciplinary Approach

All the members of our multidisciplinary Fetal Treatment Center (FTC) team play an integral role in your care. The team includes clinicians involved in the direct care of patients as well as research fellows who are developing novel and safer methods of fetal surgery. Our team meets weekly to discuss your care, patient outcomes, birth results, and -- equally important -- to share recent research which ultimately may result in even more effective fetal interventions.

The multidisciplinary approach we use combines the expertise of our Pediatric Surgery Division with the expertise of leaders from established programs in perinatal genetics, radiology, maternal-fetal medicine, nursing, anesthesia, and neonatal medicine. You can expect to interact with a variety of health care specialists including: perinatologists, pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, geneticists, nurses, and radiologists (i.e., sonologists and MRI specialists), all of whom will be directly involved in your care.