
The @UCSanDiego Department of Surgery delivers expert patient care, physician training & groundbreaking research. #UCSDSurgery
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ALT Bob Mallory with text: "I love being a PA because I enjoy the continuous evolution of my clinical knowledge and working at UC San Diego in a subspecialty where I feel like I have become somewhat of an expert in my field; I think patients recognize and appreciate this, as we can sometimes be more accessible to them. They know they have the expert attention of my supervising physicians, but they also have me there as well. For those considering becoming a PA, shadowing is the best way to see the day-to-day life of a PA and see if it's right for you." — Bob Mallory, PA, MSPH

ALT Stephanie DeFlavio wearing scrubs in front of Dr. Stuart Jamieson Cardiovascular Surgical Suite sign with quote: “As a PA, I find my role in the healthcare community incredibly valuable and deeply rewarding. I have the privilege of meeting patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and helping them navigate their care and ultimately live better lives. The impact we can make in a single day is immense, and I love that being a PA gives me the flexibility to carry my expertise across specialties and continue growing throughout my career. If I had the choice to do it all over again, I would choose this profession 100% of the time.” — Stephanie DeFlavio, PA

ALT Catherine Ridgway wearing scrubs and a jacket in front of signs with the text: "Burn Center Floor 5 Inpatient Tower. Burn clinic patient check-in (with arrow right), Burn special Care Rooms 513-517 (arrow up) and Progressive Care Unit rooms 521-535 (arrow left) Quote: "I have been a PA for almost 27 years and have never regretted that decision. In the UC San Diego burn unit specifically, I am fortunate to be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that cares deeply about our patients who have suffered devastating burn injuries. My involvement allows me to support them throughout their difficult journey — from admission, through surgeries and recovery, to outpatient care, and eventually, laser management of their scars. I can’t think of a career more rewarding than that." — Catherine Ridgway, PA

ALT Text: Meet our 2026 Top Docs with 2026 San Diego Magazine Top Doctors logo; headshots of Joshua Boys, Bryan Clary, Laura Haines, Garth Jacobsen, Nicole Lopez, Andrew Lowy, Michael Madani, Mark Onaitis, Gabriel Schnickel, Jason Sicklick and Jula Veerapong; and UC San Diego School of Medicine Department of Surgery logo

ALT At the Simulation Training Center, emergency medicine residents practice ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis, a procedure in which a needle is used to remove fluid from the space surrounding the heart. This procedure is used to treat cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening condition. Photo by Erik Jepsen



















