Donald I. Abrams

MD

Cancer and integrative medicine specialist
Pioneering integrative oncologist and solar eclipse chaser

Dr. Donald I. Abrams is a specialist in integrative medicine and cancer treatment at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health. He provides consultations for cancer patients on incorporating appropriate complementary therapies into their treatment plans.

Previously at the forefront in HIV/AIDS research and treatment, Abrams has also studied complementary and alternative therapies, including mind-body treatments, botanical therapies, medical use of cannabis and herbal therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine. He continues to research the health effects of medical cannabis.

In addition to his role at the Osher Center, Abrams continues to practice general oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, where he was chief of hematology-oncology from 2003 to 2017. He completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona in 2004 and subsequently stepped down from HIV practice to devote more time to integrative oncology.

Dr. Andrew Weil and Abrams were co-editors of the textbook Integrative Oncology, published by Oxford University Press. In 2010, Abrams served as president of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

  • Education

    Stanford University School of Medicine, 1977

  • Residencies

    UCSF Medical Center, Hematology, 1983

  • Fellowships

    University of Arizona Medical Center, Integrated Medicine, 2004

  • Board Certifications

    Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor Emeritus of Medicine

  • Languages

    French

Cancer is like a weed. My goal is to work with the garden to make the soil as inhospitable as possible to the weed’s growth and spread.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    54 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 11, 2024
    Unfortunately, initially, I was not fully aware that my questions would/could be address; The Doctor guided us Into an Informative conversation on CA and appropriate diets for CA patients.
    Nov 27, 2024
    Dr. Abrams has been extremely attentive in reviewing my medical record and discussing options and future progress on treating my disease.
    Oct 31, 2024
    Exceptional. Follow-up including information that captured everything that was said during the conversation and responded promptly to a couple of follow-up questions. Just excellent!
    Oct 22, 2024
    They are very caring, prompt , and professional
    Aug 06, 2024
    Dr Abrams is very compassionate and wonderful
    Jun 13, 2024
    Donald Abrams was fantastic in all regards. I would recommend him absolutely
    Jun 07, 2024
    Dr. Abrams has a remarkable breadth of knowledge, drawing on his clinical experience, background in nutrition and how many environmental factors affect our health and ability to maintain it. He remembers details regarding my health history such that I always have felt he knows what is best for me, that he cares about my wellbeing, and is able to wisely advise me. I'm very grateful for his excellent care!
    Nov 09, 2023
    While the information presented was clear, I already knew it, which I made clear orally and in writing prior to the visit and more time was spent on me listening than me being heard or able to speak.
    Oct 03, 2023
    Thank you! Very informative and helpful!
    Aug 30, 2023
    Dr. Abrams has consistently provided me excellent guidance. He provides good alternatives and is expert at listening and I have great trust in his judgment as a clinician and as a support to me.
    Aug 22, 2023
    Provides a large amount of written information which can be overwhelming.
    Aug 01, 2023
    Great physician but there was so much. He breezed over during the appointment and then he said he was going to send me email with handouts. I was not clear if what he talked about would be in the handouts to review. It was hard to take away information from that appointment excuse he went over so much so quickly.
    Jul 27, 2023
    Dr Abrams IS Integrative mmedicine!A blessing to all In every way
    May 04, 2023
    Dr Abrams is a very caring person!
    Feb 24, 2023
    Gave me some good tips.

    Selected research

    See all research

    My work

    Doctor Q&A: Donald Abrams

    Dr. Abrams discusses his background at UCSF and his approach to aging — and how it's changed over the years.

    Read the story

    Contact me

    Share