Portrait of Melissa N. Zimel
ucsf logobch logo

Melissa N. Zimel, MD

Orthopedic Surgery • Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Surgical Oncology
Orthopedic Surgical Oncology Mission Bay
415-885-3800
Portrait of Melissa N. Zimel
Portrait of Melissa N. Zimel
ucsf logobch logo

Melissa N. Zimel, MD

Orthopedic Surgery • Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Surgical Oncology
Orthopedic Surgical Oncology Mission Bay
415-885-3800

On this page

About me

Dr. Melissa Zimel is an orthopedic oncology surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and treating children and adults with bone or soft tissue tumors, as well as those with conditions caused by tumors. As an orthopedic oncologist, she evaluates and treats both benign and malignant tumors of the extremities, pelvis and trunk. For patients who need a cancerous bone tumor removed, she performs limb salvage surgery, which can involve joint reconstruction with custom implants. She also treats patients with metastatic bone cancer.

Zimel's research focuses on how to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal tumors who have had limbs either amputated or preserved and reconstructed using implants. Her studies include patients who have had one or multiple surgeries.

After earning her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Zimel completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at Beaumont Health. She then completed a fellowship in orthopedic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Zimel is a member of many professional organizations, including the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Orthopaedic Research Society, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society and American Medical Association.

Education & training

Board certification

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship

  • Musculoskeletal Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (GME)

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center

Internship

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center

Degree

  • MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Academic title

  • Clinical Professor

Locations

    Reviews

    Average rating

    4.9
    4.9 out of 5 Stars
    261 ratings
    About provider reviews

    Showing 1-6 of 73 reviews

    Sort by
    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      June 8, 2026

      Dr. Zimel & her assistant resident were amazing. They were thoroughly informative, took the time to answer all of my questions, and truly built patient trust and great service through their care.

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      June 8, 2026

      Dr. Zimel was polite, kind, thorough, and competent. I especially appreciated her handling of the biopsy. She explained the procedure thoroughly, offered to perform it on the spot, but she reassured me that it was all right for me to schedule the biopsy at separate appointment.

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      June 2, 2026

      Dr. Zimel is well aware of her scope of practice and not afraid of discussing with her colleagues on procedures

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      January 18, 2026

      Excellent care by Dr. Zimel

    • 2.8 out of 5 Stars
      January 15, 2026

      Made me feel like I was wasting her time and seemed like she didn't fully understand why I was there. Not a great first impression.

    • 5 out of 5 Stars
      January 12, 2026

      I cannot say enough about how much I liked the doctor and staff!

    Please check with your health insurance plan regarding coverage for this type of care. Not all providers at UCSF Health are covered by every insurance plan.

    For informational purposes only, a link to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page is provided here.

    The federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires that detailed information about payment and other payments of value worth over ten dollars ($10) from manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and biologics to physicians and teaching hospitals be made available to the public.