Maggie Waung

MD PhD

Director, Neurology Complex Diagnosis Clinic
Neurologist
Headache scientist and dog lover

Dr. Maggie Waung is a neurologist who specializes in caring for patients with headache and other chronic pain disorders.

To understand how patients develop persistent, recurring and debilitating headaches, Waung studies pain processing in the brain. Her research uses optogenetics, a cutting-edge method of manipulating light-sensitive proteins to reveal nerve cell function. In addition to illuminating the causes of migraines, the goal is to develop better, targeted therapies.

Waung earned her medical degree and a doctorate in neuroscience from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She completed a residency in neurology at UCSF.

Waung is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, American Academy of Neurology, American Headache Society and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.

  • Education

    University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, 2010

    University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, PhD, Neuroscience, 2010

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Neurology, 2014

  • Academic Title

    Assistant Professor

Headache is a serious and undertreated illness. My passions are helping patients in the clinic and tackling this complex disorder in the lab.

Conditions I specialize in

Treatments I provide

As a general neurologist, I provide a broad spectrum of neurological care and work closely with my colleagues in neurology subspecialties. I evaluate and treat most neurologic conditions, including vertigo, headache, numbness, tingling, weakness and episodic disorders.

Where I see patients (5)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    140 Ratings
    About our process
    Aug 06, 2023
    I feel very fortunate to be treated by such an exceptional caring and professional physician l such as Dr. Waung at the extraordinary UCSF.
    Jul 25, 2023
    Dr. Waung is very good.
    Jun 28, 2023
    Dr. Waung is exceptional. I am very grateful to have her as my doctor.
    Jun 08, 2023
    Dr. Waung is excellent! She is thorough and caring listens and involves me. My situation is difficult and having her as my provider gives me confidence in seeking solutions and improvements to this difficult situation. Thank you Dr. Waung!
    May 06, 2023
    Dr Waung was caring and took the time to understand all my symptoms.
    Apr 20, 2023
    I am ever so grateful for the kindness.
    Apr 06, 2023
    This was my second appointment with Dr. Waung. My situation is difficult and I again found my appointment with her to leave me hopeful. She is caring attentive proposed new medication and other avenues to try. It may be a journey to manage my pain but I am grateful to have found a thorough caring provider who listens to me and takes action.
    Mar 16, 2023
    Dr. Waung is a good listener and a natural healer.
    Mar 12, 2023
    Dr. Waung is a gifted patient-centered doctor. Comprehensive "intake" was superior: the specificity of her questions sustained interest and concern for helping me gave me hope and much comfort. I learned more in this visit with Dr. Waung than I have in more than 5 years of visits with various specialists. I am so grateful for the UCSF Complex Diagnosis Clinic which has an obvious culture of kindness and caring! Thank you!
    Mar 02, 2023
    Very concerned doztor
    Feb 24, 2023
    Dr Maggie Waung is an extraordinary physician in every way.
    Feb 07, 2023
    Dr Maggie Waung has been a wealth of information for me esp regarding newer treatment options
    Feb 02, 2023
    Dr. Waung was outstanding; excellent listener well prepared with my history thorough took a complete history and listened to my response by looking at me and then took notes she was caring and Informative. I had seen five other sub specialists and she was by far the best. My husband a physician was very Impressed with her knowledge and careful consideration of my symptoms.
    Jan 25, 2023
    Dr. Waung was excellent! She listened was compassionate gave information made recommendations. It was the first glimmer of hopefulness I've had about my condition for some time so worth the hassle and wait of becoming a new patient. I have a follow up visit scheduled although it will be a while so I am again on the waiting list. Fingers crossed that I can see her again sooner and that this may lead to improvement of my painful difficult condition. Thank you Dr. Waung for your excellent care! I'm grateful to have you as part of my healthcare team.
    Dec 23, 2022
    Dr Maggie Waung is the ultimate in doctors Fabulous in every fashion.
    Dec 18, 2022
    Dr. Waung was very thorough and explained what she was doing at every step.
    Aug 05, 2022
    Dr Waung is amazing
    Aug 04, 2022
    I feel heard and supported.
    Jul 15, 2022
    I would really appreciate a lot of support scheduling appointments in the different disciplines, we live, 400 miles away from San Francisco. They're several kids here that you service is there. And we try to group as many appointments as possible, so, that the traveling cost, or minimized as much as possible. Having somebody there to help us do, that is incredibly valuable the social worker. I believe would be in the best position to do that but I think she's got a huge case load. Anyway, she's definitely trying and I just want to say that I really think he doesn't excellent people there. Thank you.
    Jul 14, 2022
    Dr. Waung is an outstanding physician. She took her time with me and was so thorough and amazing. She actively listened and answered questions. One of the best if not the best experience I have had with a physician to date.
    Jul 12, 2022
    The best! She always has a plan and gives me hope
    Jul 08, 2022
    After a slew of negative experiences at another medical center it was a relief to see Dr. Waung. She really listened to my concerns. She was prepared for the appointment. I was honestly blown away and extremely impressed. Thank you UCSF for having such gifted doctors.
    Jun 05, 2022
    Dr. Waung is fantastic!
    May 03, 2022
    Dr. Waung is amazing and I feel lucky to have her as my neurologist!
    Jan 08, 2022
    Can't say enough good things! Didn't feel rushed was able to ask tons of questions she was super knowledgeable and patient. World-class visit.
    Dec 01, 2021
    Nothing more then exceptional experience always.
    Nov 22, 2021
    Dr. Waung is an excellent professional. She is very dedicated and also a hard worker. She is very friendly and explain things very well.
    Oct 26, 2021
    I am very happy to have Dr Waung as my new neurologist. She is really excellent!

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