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S. Andrew Josephson

MD

Chair, Department of Neurology
Neurologist
Educator and researcher

Dr. S. Andrew Josephson is a neurologist who specializes in neurovascular and other neurologic disorders, caring for general neurology and stroke patients in the hospital as well as in the clinic. He founded UCSF's Neurohospitalist Service – a national referral program for all types of inpatient neurologic disorders – and specializes in difficult-to-diagnose conditions. He serves as the chair of the Department of Neurology and is the Carmen Castro Franceschi and Gladyne K. Mitchell Neurohospitalist Distinguished Professor.

Josephson is known nationally for his pioneering work in launching the neurohospitalist model of care – a subspecialty in which neurologists focus on inpatient treatment – and for his leadership of its society. His research interests include improving models of inpatient neurologic care delivery, issues of quality and safety in attending hospitalized patients, neurologic education, delirium and how strokes contribute to dementia. He is editor-in-chief of JAMA Neurology, a leading specialty journal published by the American Medical Association.

After graduating from Stanford University, Josephson earned his medical degree at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis. He completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in neurology at UCSF, where he was chief resident. He also completed fellowships at UCSF in vascular neurology – which focuses on stroke – and behavioral neurology.

Josephson has won numerous teaching honors at UCSF, including selection as the keynote speaker for the UCSF School of Medicine's commencement ceremony. He has received the Henry J. Kaiser Award for Excellence in Teaching, Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award and Robert B. Layzer Golden Toe Award for teaching residents in neurology.

  • Education

    Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, 2001

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Neurology , 2004

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Behavioral Neurology, 2005

    UCSF, Vascular Neurology, 2005

  • Board Certifications

    Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

    Vascular Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

  • Academic Title

    Professor and Chair

"We're biased, but we think the brain is the most important organ in the body. [It's] what makes us human."

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    40 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 14, 2023
    Dr josephson is a remarkable physician. Care empathy and medical knowledge and communication were outstanding. Focus was on the brain but Dr. Josephson also saw problems with my blood chemistry (anemia) and recommended attention to possible colon bleeding as from polyps and need for me to get a colonoscopy.
    Apr 28, 2023
    Doctor took his time and I did not feel rushed
    Apr 27, 2023
    Exceptional care provider and visit
    Apr 21, 2023
    Dr. Josephson was excellent in all above categories and more. He was very professional while also being very warm and friendly. Great combination. I instantly felt comfortable with him on this my first visit w/ him.
    Feb 19, 2023
    Professional and clearly had studied in detail. So impressed.
    Nov 25, 2022
    Dr thoroughly explained my symptoms.
    Nov 07, 2022
    Dr. Josephson is amazing. I've had a lot of doctors over the years and I can easily say he's by far my favorite ever. He combines his amazing personality with his brilliance in his field to deliver an extremely rare patient experience. He has made my journey with SCA-3 much more enlightened and tolerable.
    Aug 02, 2022
    Dr Josephson is excellent! I would highly recommend him and this outstanding facility
    Aug 01, 2022
    Caring compassionate answered my questions and clearly stated his availability to me should there be future needs.If there is a level above 5 It should be awarded!
    Jul 29, 2022
    My overall rating of my provider is thst he is excellent! Ucsf needs to figure out how to clone him OR make sure he is approach to patient health care visits so patients feel respected important and a artner in health care.
    Jul 14, 2022
    Dr Josephson is extremely thoughtful as well as professional
    May 20, 2022
    Very contented!
    My threefold mission is delivering exceptional clinical care to patients, leading transformative cutting-edge research and training the leaders of tomorrow.

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