Dr. Morrison has often said how fortunate it is to work with great people in a great locale under great leadership at Washington Health.

Dr. Chet Morrison is the Trauma Medical Director at Washington Health (WH) in Fremont, where he successfully led the launch of the Level II Trauma Center that opened to serve southern Alameda County on July 1, 2024.

With an impressive background that combines a double major in chemistry and biology from Cornell University and a medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine, Dr. Morrison has developed a career marked by significant academic and professional achievements. His extensive training includes a categorical surgery internship and general surgery residency at Fitzsimons and William Beaumont Army Medical Centers, culminating in a fellowship in Trauma and Critical Care at the University of Maryland and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

Dr. Morrison came to WH from Saginaw, Michigan, where he most recently served as the Trauma Medical Director and Department Chair at St Mary’s/Ascension Hospital. Prior to Michigan, he served as an Attending Trauma Surgeon and Director of the Neurotrauma Intensive Care Unit at Lancaster General Hospital, and as an Assistant Professor and Director of Surgical Critical Care at Michigan State University. He has also held numerous leadership positions within the U.S. Army's medical units, including deployments in Iraq and Korea, where he earned accolades such as the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal.

Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Morrison is an esteemed educator and contributor to medical education. He was an Associate Professor of Surgery at Central Michigan University School of Medicine and has been involved in various teaching and leadership roles in medical schools and hospitals. Dr. Morrison's dedication to advancing the field is evident through his membership on editorial boards and numerous committees, focusing on trauma performance improvement, critical care, and surgery education. His dedication to advancing trauma care exemplifies his commitment to excellence and leadership in the medical community.

With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, Jennifer's journey started in EMS within Alameda County and transitioned to a significant role at Regional Medical Center in San Jose as a Trauma RN PI Coordinator. Over the last decade, she has been pivotal in re-verifications and led her teams to national recognition for quality benchmarking and process improvement, achieving best practice accolades in an ACS survey. Currently, Jennifer is steering our Trauma Program towards a successful ACS verification in 2027. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from San Jose State University, and she is pursuing a master's degree in Nurse Education from Capella University. A lifelong Bay Area resident, Jennifer is deeply rooted in her community, advocating for children with special needs and epilepsy, and is actively involved in her son’s school activities. She holds multiple certifications including ACLS, BLS, PALS, TNCC, and is a dedicated member of various professional trauma and emergency medical societies.

Since 2001, Dr. Kranthi Achanta has been a leading general, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeon at Washington Health. He brings extensive experience across a broad range of general surgical procedures. He is dedicated to delivering patient-focused, concierge-level, general surgical care at Washington Health.

Dr. Achanta is a fellowship-trained and board-certified surgeon specializing in laparoscopic, robotic, and general surgery. His expertise encompasses a wide array of surgical procedures, including robotic, laparoscopic, and open abdominal surgeries such as gallbladder removal, various hernia repairs, colon surgeries, splenectomy, and adrenalectomy. His practice also emphasizes breast surgery, colon and rectal surgery, endocrine surgery (including parathyroid, thyroid, and adrenal operations), esophageal reflux surgery, and gastric surgery. Dr. Achanta continually enhances patient care through innovative, cutting-edge surgical techniques, such as robotics-assisted surgery, earning his Certificate of Da Vinci Technology Training in May 2024. He is specifically trained to operate the Da Vinci Xi multiport robotic surgery system.

Dr. Achanta's medical journey began with an MBBS degree from Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad, India. He then completed his General Surgery residency at Tufts University in Boston and pursued a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Southern California.

Before joining Washington Health, Dr. Achanta honed his surgical skills at Deccan Pacific Medical Group and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Anaheim, California. At Washington Health, he has held numerous leadership positions, including Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Chief of Medical Staff, and Chairman of the Utilization Management Committee. He has also chaired important committees such as Surgical Critical Care, Pharmacy, Nutrition and Therapeutics, and Credentials Committees.

Dr. Achanta made significant educational contributions as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Southern California early in his career. His research and scholarly work continues to be well-recognized in the medical community, particularly in the fields of minimally invasive surgery and surgical repair techniques. His studies, such as the use of fibrin sealant for prosthetic mesh fixation and the management of intra-abdominal abscesses following laparoscopic appendectomy, have been published in esteemed journals and presented at major conferences.

Dr. Comstock's surgical practice involves a wide range of cases, from complex and intricate reconstructions of severe traumatic injuries to more routine procedures. Collaborating closely with his medical partners, he ensures that each case is meticulously planned to provide the best possible outcome for the patient. Dr. Comstock's approach is marked by his father's influence, a pediatrician who served as his role model and inspired him with a deep sense of dedication to patient care.

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Dr. Comstock pursued his medical education and training, including a five-year residency program, and a one-year trauma orthopedic traumatology fellowship at the University of Texas at Houston.

What Dr. Comstock finds most gratifying in his profession is the opportunity to care for patients who arrive on stretchers with multiple fractures and head injuries, often with injuries to nearly every bone and internal organs. Alongside the trauma service, he works tirelessly to repair fractures and other injuries, enabling patients to recover and regain their mobility. The immense satisfaction he derives from witnessing severely injured patients making remarkable recoveries and walking out of his clinic with smiles on their faces underscores his passion and commitment to the field of trauma surgery. Dr. Curt Comstock's unwavering dedication to improving the lives of trauma patients is a testament to his outstanding contributions as a trauma surgeon at UCSF's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Curt Comstock joined the faculty of the UCSF Department of Orthoapedic Surgery in 2017.

Dr. Ding joined the faculty at UCSF in 2018 and works primarily out of the UCSF/San Francisco General Hospital Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI). His clinical interests include Hand, Upper Extremity, Microvascular. He is committed to high quality patient care and resident education.

Dr. Eldan B. Eichbaum, MD, FACS, is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex and reconstructive spinal neurosurgery. A key member of Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley at Washington Health, Dr. Eichbaum has dedicated much of his career to advancing neurosurgical practices in Fremont, California, where he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Spine Center.

Dr. Eldan B. Eichbaum, MD, FACS, is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex and reconstructive spinal neurosurgery. A key member of Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley at Washington Health, Dr. Eichbaum has dedicated much of his career to advancing neurosurgical practices in Fremont, California, where he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Spine Center.

Dr. Eichbaum completed his medical education with high honors at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by an intensive neurosurgical residency at the same institution. His commitment to specialized advancement in his field took him to the University of New Mexico, where he completed a fellowship in complex and reconstructive spinal neurosurgery. His board certification by the American Board of Neurological Surgery was earned in May 2004.

Dr. Eichbaum has held significant leadership positions including president of the Neurosurgical Society of America in 2023; Chairman, and Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery while serving at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. His professional affiliations include the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the California Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Eichbaum's extensive experience and leadership in neurosurgery underscore his deep commitment to improving patient outcomes through advanced surgical techniques and dedicated patient care.

Based at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Washington Health, Dr. Gendelberg's expertise covers a wide spectrum of orthopedic conditions. His primary focus revolves around complex spinal surgeries, encompassing spinal trauma, degenerative disorders, deformities, infections, and oncology. Dr. Gendelberg is known for his commitment to incorporating minimally invasive techniques and pushing the boundaries of innovation to optimize treatment outcomes for his patients. Additionally, Dr. Gendelberg directs the orthopedic trauma program at Washington Health.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Gendelberg invests a significant portion of his time in research, particularly aimed at improving treatment strategies for underserved populations. Dr. Gendelberg’s research focuses on management of spinal injuries, delivering care to the underserved, minimally invasive techniques and bone health.

After earning his medical degree at Rutgers- Robert Wood Johnson, Dr. Gendelberg completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. He completed fellowships in spine surgery at the University of Washington - Harborview Medical Center as well as in minimally invasive spinal surgery under Neel Anand MD at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles.

Dr. Halimi currently serves as the Medical Director for both the Washington Health Emergency Department and the Tesla Onsite Clinic, and is a board member of the Emergency Physicians Associates (EPA). Dr. Halimi has held significant leadership roles, including serving as Chair of the Department of Medicine and as the current Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine. He has also served on and chaired many committees at Washington Health, demonstrating his broad involvement in hospital administration and improvement initiatives.

Dr. Halimi's educational journey began at the University of California, Davis, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy. He continued his studies and attended medical School at Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California, and completed an Emergency Medicine residency at Texas A&M University. He has been board-certified in Emergency Medicine since 2005.

With extensive experience in emergency medicine management, Dr. Halimi is known for his commitment to medical excellence and innovation in both public and corporate health care sectors. In his spare time, he serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Medikarma, a startup aiming to improve patient care management by facilitating medical documentation, appointment scheduling, and patient management. Medikarma seeks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of health care services through secure communication and comprehensive workflow management.

A Fremont native, Dr. Halimi remains deeply connected to his community. Outside of his professional life, he is married with three children and enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, and biking. He is also a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers and has a passion for cars, integrating his personal interests seamlessly with his professional commitments.

He received his orthopaedic residency training from Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. In 2002, he further trained in Orthopaedic Traumatology through a fellowship at the Adams R. Cowley Shock Trauma Center, a world-renowned trauma center.

In 2003, Dr. Amir Matityahu joined the staff at UCSF/SFGH. He is presently the Director of Pelvis and Acetabular Trauma Reconstruction at San Francisco General Hospital and is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF). His clinical areas of interest are high-energy complex periarticular fractures, pelvis and acetabular fractures, and the polytraumatic patient with orthopaedic injuries. His research interests include the bio mechanics of fracture fixation and the post-traumatic hip joint. In addition, Dr. Matityahu is constantly developing innovative and minimally invasive surgical techniques to speed healing and return patients back to work and athletes back to the field more quickly.

Dr. Matityahu's goal is to provide the highest quality of medical care available to all of his patients, promote, encourage, foster, and advance the art and science of orthopedic surgery. This includes state of the art treatment for complex orthopaedic injuries. The ability to offer state of the art surgical and medical treatment is maintained by active involvement in orthopaedic trauma research, teaching, and patient care. Doctor Matityahu values compassion, quality, integrity, teamwork, clinical research and education for both patients and other physicians.

Dr. Kevin J. Mitchell is the Trauma Associate Medical Director at Washington Health (WH) in Fremont, having joined just prior to the opening of the Level II Trauma Center on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Mitchell’s exceptional capacity for learning gained him entry to Howard University’s six-year Bachelor of Science-Medical Degree program where he earned his bachelors with magna cum laude distinction before completing his medical degree. He conducted his internship and residency at Northwestern University in Chicago. He became Chief Resident in general surgery at Howard University Hospital before moving on to a fellowship in trauma and critical care at the Maryland Institute for Emergency Services Systems in Baltimore, MD.

provided acute care surgery, surgical critical care and trauma. He was also the General Surgery Division Chief at MSJMC. Prior to California, he served as the Director of Trauma Services and Co-director of Emergency Medical Services for SSM DePaul Health Center in St. Louis, MO. He has served as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, and site director for medical student surgery clerkship. While at California North State School of Medicine, He co-authored numerous articles on surgical and trauma topics including, “Evaluation of Massive Volume Replacement in the Penetrating Trauma Patient.”

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and has overseen many trauma cases in his career, including injuries from car accidents and falls, and stab wounds, sometimes to the heart and other vital organs. He first became interested in trauma while a medical student at Howard University in Washington, DC, studying under renowned professor and surgeon LaSalle D. Leffall Jr., MD. Later, as a surgical resident at Northwestern and Howard universities, Dr. Mitchell chose to specialize in trauma surgery. He credits Dr. Leffall with what he calls “equanimity under duress,” described as mental calmness and composure which serves him well in trauma care; keeping cool and helping the trauma team stay focused.

Dr. Nagao earned a medical degree and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Sapporo Medical University in Japan, and was appointed chief of hip and arthritis surgery there. He completed a research fellowship in biomechanics at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and an arthroplasty fellowship at the Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Dr. Nagao became a physiatrist after completing a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at Albany Medical Center in New York. He has pursued his work to the highest levels, and now has three separate board certifications: the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and American Board of Pain Medicine. Dr. Nagao is an outstanding teacher, and enhances the Department’s overall teaching capacity. He works most closely with the medical students and residents who rotate through the rehabilitation service, and expertly teaches them how to develop clinical plans for even the most complex clinical problems. He uses his teaching skills to not only educate UCSF students and residents, but also to teach physicians and residents throughout the world. He has been in high demand as an invited speaker nationally and internationally. As a testament to his expertise, he serves as a member of the several professional committees. Dr. Nagao is the co-director of the Orthopaedic Trauma Observership Program at the UCSF/ZSFG Orthopaedic Trauma Institute (OTI), which works in conjunction with the Department’s main outreach program, the Institute for Global Orthopaedics and Trauamatology (IGOT). In his role, Dr. Nagao helps serve the Department’s educational mission, and is dedicated to improving the global quality of care and exchange of ideas.

To learn more in both Japanese and English please go here: https://masato-nagao.com/
もう少し詳しい情報を日本語で知りたい方はこちらまで：https://masato-nagao.com/

Rajiv Saigal joined the neurosurgery team at Washington Health Medical Group and the Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley in July 2021. In addition, he is an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco. He is board-certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

He is a neurosurgeon-scientist who specializes in spinal cord injury, neurotrauma, spinal deformity, spinal tumors and minimally invasive techniques. His research focuses on bioengineering approaches for treating spinal cord injury, especially on electrical stimulation and techniques to optimize spinal cord perfusion. He chairs the North American Spine Society Section on Spinal Cord injury. He started his career at the University of Washington, where he was PI of the Neurosurgical Biomaterials and Engineering lab.

Dr. Saigal completed neurosurgery residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He then completed an orthopedic spine deformity fellowship at Scripps and the San Diego Spine Foundation, focusing on less invasive techniques for spinal deformity. He completed a second spine fellowship at the University of Miami, focusing on minimally invasive spine surgery, including endoscopic fusion. Prior to residency, Dr. Saigal completed a PhD in medical engineering at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology and an MD at the Tufts University School of Medicine. He also has a B.Sc. with highest honors in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech and a M.Sc. in biomedical engineering from Aalborg University in Denmark.

He is the recipient of awards for research, teaching, and leadership, including the Global Spine Congress Best Papers, Boldrey Young Investigator Award, UCSF Neurosurgery Research and Rosegay awards, and AOA. His research has been funded by the Weill Neurohub, National Science Foundation, Washington Research Foundation, UW Institute for Neuroengineering, Washington State Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, ITHS, and the Whitaker Foundation.

Dr. Sandeep Kunwar, board-certified in neurosurgery and renowned for his work in minimally invasive neurosurgery, played an instrumental role in the evolution of the Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley where he now serves as medical director.

Kunwar specializes in minimally invasive brain and spine surgery. His innovative work in these fields and pioneering research in drug delivery to the brain have brought him national and international recognition. He has performed more than 2,500 minimally invasive operations, and has developed a minimally-invasive approach to skull-based tumors and improved access to the spine.

Dr. Kunwar is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha medical society and is a recipient of the Preuss Resident Research Award and the Ronald Bittner Tumor Award from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He has served as the lead principal investigator for a number of international multi-institutional clinical trials, including the largest surgical based drug trial for brain tumors (PRECISE trial).

In 1999, Dr. Kunwar joined the faculty of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of San Francisco developing a very busy clinical and research program in one of the best Neurosurgery departments in the United States.

In 2006, Dr. Kunwar began his private practice in Fremont, California after 7 years of successful practice at UCSF. He joined the medical community at Washington Health. He also continues to serve as an Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery on the faculty at UCSF. At UCSF, he developed one of the busiest surgical programs in San Francisco and was selected by world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Charles Wilson, to take over his pituitary surgery practice after his retirement. Dr. Kunwar received his medical degree and neurosurgical training at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. He has one of the largest pituitary surgical services in the world.

He also works to improve the use of technology to perform standard procedures through less invasive approaches. Dr. Kunwar teaches other neurosurgeons these advanced technologies. He also presents at national and international medical conferences on a region basis.

He completed his medical school and orthopedic surgery residency in his hometown in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He then pursued an orthopedic trauma fellowship at the University of British Columbia - Vancouver General Hospital, followed by a combined orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto - Toronto Western Hospital.

Dr Xu’s research focuses on clinical outcomes and biomechanical studies comparing surgical fixation techniques. He has received numerous grants for his studies including an AO Trauma North America Fellow Research Grant.

He is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and board eligible by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Additionally, he has successfully completed the AO Spine Global Spine Diploma Examination.

Dr Xu sees patients at Washington Health and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.