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William Y. Hoffman

MD

Chief, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Avid and accomplished photographer

Dr. William Hoffman is a plastic surgeon who specializes in treating children with a wide variety of craniofacial (skull or face) abnormalities, including cleft lip and cleft palate, craniosynostosis, facial palsy, and hemangiomas and other birthmarks or vascular anomalies. An innovator in the field of craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, he routinely performs complex and intricate surgeries, and works with orthodontists and other specialists to correct abnormalities in children's facial appearances while improving their breathing and ability to eat. He also treats adults, performing complex facial reconstructions as well as aesthetic facial surgeries, including facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). He is UCSF's chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Hoffman is widely published, and his research interests include the biology of hemangiomas, fetal surgery for facial deformities and improving cleft lip surgery. Working with the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Hoffman led a successful effort to pass legislation in California that greatly expands insurance coverage for children with cleft lip and palate. Hoffman has been named to U.S. News & World Report's list of America's best doctors for the past 15 years, a distinction reserved for the top 1 percent of physicians in the nation for a given specialty.

Hoffman earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. At UCSF, he completed a residency in general surgery and a residency in plastic surgery, serving as chief resident. He then completed a fellowship in craniofacial and cleft lip surgery at NYU Langone Health.

Hoffman is treasurer of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. He serves as a senior examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery and on its craniofacial surgery advisory council. He is past president of the American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons and American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.

  • Education

    University of Rochester School of Medicine, 1977

  • Residencies

    UCSF, General Surgery, 1983

    UCSF, Plastic Surgery, 1985

  • Fellowships

    New York University, Craniofacial Surgery, 1986

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Cleft and craniofacial surgery affords surgeons the opportunity to know patients from birth to adulthood, becoming close to them and their families.

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    4.7

    Overall Experience
    348 Ratings
    About our process
    Nov 30, 2023
    Dr Hoffman and staff are ALL ACES. Perfection in health care. Love this place.
    Oct 26, 2023
    Absolutely phenomenal throughout the whole process!
    Oct 26, 2023
    I know that doctor Hoffman is incredibly accomplished and capable surgeons; however his bedside manner is lacking. I found it difficult to ask him questions and get answers to my concerns.It seems like he may be a burnt out and overworked.
    Oct 21, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman is exactly what you want a doctor to be. He's kind and empathetic but also confident and extremely good at what he does. I wish all doctors were like him.
    Oct 10, 2023
    Of course if everyone was very attentive.
    Sep 28, 2023
    Outstanding
    Sep 28, 2023
    Dr Hoffman is excellent but I was sad that he couldn't do my surgery to fix my stomach and waist back to normal. But Dr Hoffman and his nursing staff were excellent.
    Sep 07, 2023
    All if Doctor Hoffman's staff and the Doctor himself were always very cordial
    Aug 03, 2023
    Thank you
    Jun 29, 2023
    Lovely authentic person
    Jun 26, 2023
    Amazing provider !
    Jun 16, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman is a great and empathetic listener.
    Jun 15, 2023
    I had an excellent experience. My questions were listened to and answered. Everyone helped to make me comfortable. Very positive experience.
    Jun 12, 2023
    Great! We felt reassured.
    May 15, 2023
    Appreciate the visit and look forward to follow up.
    May 15, 2023
    Definitely, everything was great.
    Apr 24, 2023
    Very attentive and always responding in a way that we can understand patients.
    Mar 31, 2023
    Other than the scheduling and waiting hes awesome
    Mar 20, 2023
    It was very excellent. They took good care of him. They talked with my son about the pain that he had. The truth is it was excellent.
    Mar 09, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman really listens and responds in-kind to my needs.
    Feb 16, 2023
    Dr was very busy Had to many patients waiting So he was in a hurry not much care given Ready to leave examination room soon
    Feb 14, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman put me at ease immediately with his friendly demeanor. I was extremely nervous going into this appointmentI didn't know what to expect and he couldn't have been nicer or more informative.
    Feb 09, 2023
    All very good
    Feb 02, 2023
    Dr Hoffman and his team are the best
    Jan 23, 2023
    Dr Hoffman is the most amazing surgeon and his staff is outstanding
    Jan 23, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman is Excellent and would recommend him to everyone I know.
    Jan 19, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman has always been patient and listened to my concerns.
    Jan 06, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman always listens carefully and includes me and decisions about my treatment. He always approaches with calmness and empathy.
    Jan 06, 2023
    Fantastic Doctor!!
    Jan 05, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman is Awesome and of course I will recommend him to anyone looking for the same service.
    Nov 10, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman is the best
    Oct 24, 2022
    This provider did not take any time to understand the reason I was there seemed in a hurry to leave and was particularly not helpful when the referring physician was mentioned. He seemed to treat the patient like a nuisance or an uninformed child and did not explain the process I was referred to him to get information about. It was a disturbing visit & wasted quite a bit of time.
    Oct 20, 2022
    The doctor was very informative and answered all of my questions.
    Oct 17, 2022
    Well, what I would like is for them to give me a quicker follow-up on mine. And they told me that they could make another appointment for me until April.
    Sep 12, 2022
    I felt calm.
    Sep 10, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman listen very carefully and gave me lots of options while including me in the decision.
    Sep 07, 2022
    Dr Hoffman was incredible! Friendly and competent. He did such a wonderful job with Reids surgery! And was thoughtful of our time. I will highly recommend him and UCSF.
    Aug 30, 2022
    THANKS
    Aug 08, 2022
    Hoping for in person visit
    Aug 06, 2022
    We are lucky to have found Dr. Hoffman. He's the most gifted surgeon and the kindest human being.
    Jul 08, 2022
    Dr Hoffman is so nice and he listens to your concerns and tries to help as best as he can
    Jun 13, 2022
    Excellent experience
    May 26, 2022
    Drm Hoffman and his team are GREAT!
    May 07, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman always treats me well.
    May 02, 2022
    I forgot to say that the friendliest person we met during the visit was the gentleman who took our co-payment and then gave my son a toy car on the way out.
    Apr 25, 2022
    Had a very smooth experience. I travelled 2 hr drive from Sacramento region. Doctors were always helpful and accommodative of son's behavior which needed extra care. All the team of doctors and nurses stood strong and helped every way they can.
    Mar 28, 2022
    I would like them to have options of professionals where the patient feels comfortable receiving care and trust them that they are in the right place for their care.
    Mar 21, 2022
    We had to wait for over an hour for our appointment!? What's the point of scheduling an appointment and trying to arrive on-time if patients are going to be seen over an hour later??! Hire more folks if you need to, but this is ridiculous to have to wait over an hour to be seen.
    Mar 07, 2022
    We love UCSF staff from the receptionist to the doctors and nurses

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