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Sanziana A. Roman

MD

Endocrine surgeon
Champion of health care for all, animal lover, opera singer

Dr. Sanziana Roman is an endocrine surgeon with two decades of experience in treating tumors of the adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid glands. With a particular interest in minimally invasive techniques, she is one of the few surgeons in the world to frequently perform posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy, a recently developed way of removing adrenal glands through the back that has advantages over the more common frontal approach.

Roman has extensive experience in treating thyroid growths in children and adolescents, as well as in adults. She sees patients with conditions including goiter, Graves' disease, thyroid cancer and congenital hypothyroidism with goiter. She also has expertise in inherited syndromes such as multiple endocrine neoplasia, a group of rare disorders in which the endocrine glands develop tumors.

Roman earned her medical degree at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed a residency in general surgery at Yale School of Medicine. Prior to joining UCSF, she was chief of endocrine surgery at Yale for 13 years and later served on the faculty of Duke University for more than five years, becoming a tenured professor of surgery. She was also associate chief of Duke's advanced oncological and gastrointestinal surgery division. She established Duke's centers for adrenal disease and pediatric thyroid disease.

Roman has been listed in America's Top Doctors. Her research has been published in numerous medical journals, including JAMA Surgery, Annals of Surgery and Thyroid. She is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and belongs to the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, International Association of Endocrine Surgeons, American Thyroid Association, Endocrine Society, Society of University Surgeons and American Surgical Association.

Prior to becoming a surgeon, Roman was an opera singer. Her love of singing and surgery have combined into a passion for using her skills to save the voices of patients undergoing neck operations.

  • Education

    Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1994

  • Residencies

    Yale School of Medicine, General Surgery, 1999

  • Board Certifications

    Surgery, American Board of Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Professor

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"I think of myself as the protector of the voice."

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    65 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 29, 2023
    Dr. Roman thorough excellent.
    Sep 07, 2023
    Doctor was very kind and patient. Would have liked more details about reasons pro and con surgery. Will see my local doctor who hopefully has more details.
    Aug 06, 2023
    My surgeon was excellent and knew how to do the latest procedure for my illness.
    Jun 13, 2023
    Dr. Roman is the perfect doctor. Thoughtful kind thorough smart.
    Apr 24, 2023
    The doctor was a perfect example of a clear direct but compassionate communicator best experience with a doctor ever! Thank you!
    Apr 05, 2023
    Dr. Roman was exceptional at explaining the experience before during and after surgery. She took the time to review imaging and described in detail the procedure. Very impressed with her as well as the whole UCSF team! Everyone was super helpful and proactive throughout the experience.
    Mar 28, 2023
    Consummate professionals.
    Mar 26, 2023
    Dr Roman was very positive and caring in her approach to my illness. I got a good feeling from her.
    Mar 15, 2023
    Just an awesome patient care all around
    Jan 23, 2023
    I had a great sense of relief from getting information about my complex health condition with someone with experience. I felt that the doctor and her team were thorough responsive and empathetic.
    Jan 15, 2023
    Dr. Roman is very smart kind and caring listens and answers questions thoroughly.
    Aug 20, 2022
    Dr. Roman was superb in every category.
    Aug 07, 2022
    Great with communicating in a clear way. Shows compassion and concern and answers all of my questions.
    Mar 18, 2022
    Very attention to detail
    Health care is a human right. My missions are to provide innovative care, promote science, support equity and educate the next generation of doctors.

    My work

    Running again after rare tumor removal

    Peter had an adrenal tumor that was endangering his heart. Using a minimally invasive technique, Dr. Roman removed it and weeks later he was able to hit the trails again.

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