Honoring Dr. Neal H. Cohen’s Leadership and Contributions to UCSF
As Dean Talmadge E. King, Jr., MD recently announced in a message to the School of Medicine, Neal H. Cohen, MD, MPH, MS will retire from UCSF after more than four decades of distinguished service, leaving behind a legacy marked by exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to patient care and medical education.
Dr. Cohen's journey with UCSF began in 1971 when he earned his medical degree. He went on to complete his residency in Anesthesia and a fellowship in Critical Care Medicine, both at UCSF. In 1976, he joined the UCSF faculty, embarking on a career that would profoundly influence the institution's trajectory.
Throughout his tenure at UCSF, Dr. Cohen held numerous key leadership roles, including Director of Critical Care and Respiratory Therapy at Moffitt Hospital (1983), President of the UCSF Medical Staff (1994–1996), Chair of the School of Medicine Faculty Council, President for the UCSF Medical Group prior to the transition to the Faculty Practice Organization, and, beginning in 2000, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and then Affiliations, Compliance and International Medical Service in the School of Medicine. For the past 25 years, he has overseen international medical services, risk management, compliance, and related strategic initiatives—serving as an invaluable advisor and thought partner to many across UCSF.
His leadership extended beyond UCSF, with significant roles in national organizations such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), where he chaired multiple committees and the Section on Professional Practice, and the American Board of Anesthesiology, where he co-chaired the Critical Care Examination Committee.
Dr. Cohen's contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the William K. Hamilton Award for Excellence in Teaching and the inaugural Holly Smith Award for Exceptional Service to the School of Medicine. His commitment to education, patient care, and institutional advancement has left an indelible mark on UCSF and the broader medical community.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Cohen on his retirement and expressing our deepest gratitude for his unwavering dedication and impactful service to UCSF.