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Carly Zapata is a palliative care doctor who provides consultations for hospitalized patients with cancer or other serious illnesses. She helps them with controlling symptoms as well as advance care planning.

Zapata researches strategies to make advance care planning easier for both patients and doctors. She also studies how to promote self-care for doctors and ways to incorporate routine palliative care into oncology practices.

Zapata earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and a master of public health degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She completed her residency in internal medicine at UCSF, where she served as chief resident. She also completed a fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at UCSF.

Zapata is a member of the Society of General Internal Medicine and American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

In her free time, Zapata enjoys hiking, reading fiction, exploring San Francisco and spending time with her toddler.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Internal Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 2018

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Palliative Medicine, 2017

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 2016

  • Internship

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 2013

  • Education

    Harvard Medical School, 2012

  • Languages

    English

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    5.0

    Overall Experience
    79 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 18, 2025
    Dr. Zapata continues to provide stellar medical insight coupled with compassion and patience.
    Jan 23, 2025
    She's the best!
    Jan 09, 2025
    Good
    Dec 22, 2024
    Felt in good hands always
    Dec 03, 2024
    Dr. Zapata is the most caring & compassionate Dr I've ever experienced. She is beyond wonderful as I approach the end of life. She explains every detail of what can and will be done to keep me comfortable and all my options from a to z from home care thru hospice and that each decision and the timing of those decisions is mine and mine along with family If I Choose ( not those of Drs and others). She has does each topic as if your just having a calm. On o with a girl friend which is perfect for me. I know she will be with me until know longer needed.
    Oct 28, 2024
    Carly the best
    Oct 28, 2024
    Dr. Zapata and Nurse Cohen continue to provide a stellar patient experience. The professionalism, extensive knowledge of the medical issues and concern for patient welfare is exemplary.
    Sep 24, 2024
    She was very kind and very compassionate and very easy to speak with.
    Sep 14, 2024
    Dr Zapata is the most caring Dr. She asks many questions to make sure we are understanding each other as well as what other doctors have said. She Is adomint about making sure all Involved are on the same page. I honestly don't know how Dr Zapata has enough hours in the day to do all she does. Among the many things she does she reaches out to other providers with questions and requests. She follows up with everything and I am contacted several times in between appts. This team of experts is the best there is. I am very grateful and thankful to have them working with me.
    Aug 05, 2024
    Dr. Zapata continues to provide stellar patient service, including extensive medical knowledge, insightful explanations and patience in listening to our concerns. She has prompted us to make a donation in her name to UCSF.
    Aug 03, 2024
    Dr. Zapata and nurse Eve are the best as is Jeff. I can call and know if there is a big issue Eve will get the message and call right away. She writes everything down to discuss with Dr Zapata and always gets back to me. Eve talked to Dr and they both agreed I needed to talk to Dr ASAP and they created an appointment for me in days as being on of the best Drs in her field she is always booked nearly 6-8 weeks. It is comforting knowing if I have a problem they will find the time to help me and in my opinion they go above and beyond and monitor all I'm going through. It's wonderful Nurse Eve will randomly reach out to check in on me. I'm very grateful to have a Dr of her calibur and appreciate all she and her fabulous team do for me.
    Jul 11, 2024
    I can not imagine navigating cancer/ end of life without Dr Zapata. She feels like a friend
    Jul 06, 2024
    Exceptional Dr and team (Eve and Jeff).
    Jun 29, 2024
    Very good and very knowledgeable
    Jun 24, 2024
    Dr. Zapata greatly exceeds the maximum level 5 rating for each category. She excels in providing patient confidence in her explanations.
    May 13, 2024
    Dr. Zapata is the best/most helpful doctor I have encountered in recent years.
    Apr 25, 2024
    Dr.Zapata is An amazing physician. She is a great listener and always has good and positive suggestions. Her approach to my cancer isupbeat and reassuring.llookforward your appointments. I would rate her with with a joyous 5
    Apr 21, 2024
    I felt well cared for and understood. It eased my anxiety a lot
    Mar 31, 2024
    Dr. Zapata and Nurse Cohen provided excellent medical service, while making me feel, as if I were their only patient. They provided a sense of great comfort.
    Mar 09, 2024
    Dr. Zapata is the best! She is a great listener and very compassionate!
    Dec 18, 2023
    Dr. Zapata provided a superb experience. She demonstrated the highest quality of medical care and insightfulness about my conditions. She made me feel as If I were the only patient at UCSF.
    Dec 14, 2023
    Dr Zapata listens to me, reassures me. I am grateful for my interaction with her.
    Nov 21, 2023
    Excellent medical knowledge, Insight, understanding and patience making me feel, as if I was the only UCSF patient.
    Aug 10, 2023
    Dr. Zapata connects very well as a person to another person as well as being very professional.
    Jul 09, 2023
    Dr Zapata and her team are great to have access to. She can answer those questions you forgot to ask the other doctors with good info.
    May 27, 2023
    Dr Zapata and her Pallative team are exceptional. So easy to talk to and listen to concerns.

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