Mary Nakamura

MD

Rheumatologist

Dr. Mary Nakamura is a rheumatologist who specializes in caring for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. She directs the UCSF Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinic.

In research, Nakamura is interested in cells of the innate immune system (the immune system with which people are born, as opposed to adaptive immunity, which develops in response to a real or perceived health threat). Her research also focuses on osteoimmunology (a field that explores how the immune system and skeletal system interact).

Nakamura earned her medical degree from Yale School of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at UCSF, followed by a fellowship in rheumatology at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

  • Education

    Yale University School of Medicine, MD, 1986

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 1989

  • Fellowships

    San Francisco VA Health Care System, Rheumatology, 1994

  • Board Certifications

    Rheumatology, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    5.0

    Overall Experience
    90 Ratings
    About our process
    Aug 24, 2023
    The best!!!
    Aug 16, 2023
    Dr Mary Nakamura is quite possibly the best MD I have ever worked with. She knows me. She respects me. She listens to me. She does not judge me. She legitimately cares deeply for me my health and my decisions. She is there for me I know and am deeply grateful for this. She is a highly intelligent smart and effective educator this "lifelong learner" patient deeply appreciates.
    Jun 28, 2023
    Excellent dr
    Apr 29, 2023
    Dr Nakamura is caring helpful informative. I feel thankful and fortunate to have her guidance and care
    Apr 06, 2023
    Best doctor I know
    Mar 23, 2023
    Everything was fine
    Mar 11, 2023
    Dr. Nakamura is one of the sharpest and most caring doctors I have!
    Mar 01, 2023
    Dr Nakamura is the absolute best of the best !Pls give her the recognition she deserves !
    Dec 16, 2022
    Excellent in everyday. I am feeling grateful for such good care.
    Nov 11, 2022
    I have been with ucsf rheumatology for about three years now and still have no definitive diagnosis or successful treatment plan. New symptoms are often pawned off to my PCP who then tries to push them back to rheum. Because I'm a nurse at UCSF I'm often left to make my own decisions when I really need help making a care plan which is why I've come to a doctor. I often cannot get a hold of her for months at a time despite calling about acute flare ups heart arrhythmias pregnancy concerns medication changes etc. I'm incredibly discouraged and would never recommend this UCSF experience to anyone else. Which is especially upsetting since I work for UCSF as well and am well aware of in basket goals and the standard of care that we claim to provide.
    Oct 28, 2022
    Dr Nakamura was very thorough providing my current condition. She recommended medical advice and helpful to schedule appointments. Also called other Doctors regarding my care.
    Sep 24, 2022
    Dr. Nakamura is one of the very best physicians I have ever seen. UCSF is truly luck to have her and so are here patients.
    Sep 18, 2022
    Dr Nakamura is the best.
    Nov 23, 2021
    Dr Nakamura is the best of the best !

    Selected research

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