Our integrated practice unit is one of the first of its kind, giving patients a team of pancreatic disease specialists in one centralized clinic. All of our specialists are experts in their fields.
UCLA’s team of experts meets weekly to discuss cases, design personalized treatment plans and review outcomes. Patients receive the most advanced pancreatic disease treatments available, with fewer appointments and phone calls.
Meet our team:
Our surgeons perform roughly 150 operations each year, making us one of the highest volume pancreatic surgery centers in the region. UCLA’s expert surgeons include:
UCLA has the largest team of interventional endoscopy specialists in the city. Interventional endoscopists provide minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment for a range of pancreatic diseases. Our experts include:
Our expert gastroenterologists specialize in gastrointestinal disorders, primarily treating patients without surgery. Our gastroenterology team includes:
Joseph Pisegna, MD (neuroendocrine tumors)
Our diagnostic radiologists are experts in abdominal and gastrointestinal conditions. They review all imaging scans and provide their input at our weekly conferences. Our diagnostic radiology team includes:
Medical oncologists determine whether patients should receive chemotherapy and conduct clinical trials to identify promising new drugs. Our medical oncology team includes:
Learn more about chemotherapy treatment at our center.
Our radiation oncology expert identifies cancer patients who should receive radiation and helps facilitate radiation treatments. Our radiation oncology team includes:
Our expert team of pathologists reviews tumor samples and radiology scans to help identify the best treatment options. Our pathology team includes:
We have cardiologists on staff providing pre-operative evaluation to determine which patients can receive surgery.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of pancreatic cancers are due to an inherited cancer predisposition. Genetic counseling and genetic testing are available at our center.
A genetic counselor can assess the likelihood that pancreatic cancer in a family is due to an inherited mutation. Genetic counseling can also help individuals and families understand their personal and/or family history of pancreatic cancer and other cancers.
If genetic testing finds an inherited mutation, we can tailor surveillance and risk reduction strategies for at-risk family members.
Our genetic counseling team includes:
Rachel Shapira, ScM, LCGC
Learn more about genetic counseling at UCLA.
Patients can learn how to better manage their diabetes from an endocrinologist or dedicated diabetes registered nurse.
UCLA dietitians may follow up with patients in the hospital to help support their nutrition during treatment.
Lauren Damato, ACNP, Director
Stephanie Lau, ACNP, Inpatient Services
Kristen Neisinger, Administrative Analyst
Bernadette Gonzalez, Administrative Assistant
For more information or to make an appointment with our team of specialists, please call us at (310) 206-6889.
