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Dr. Jennifer C. Lai is a general and transplant hepatologist who specializes in caring for patients with chronic viral hepatitis, autoimmune disorders or cirrhosis, particularly those awaiting liver transplantation.

Lai is active in patient-oriented research in three major areas: integrating core geriatric issues – such as frailty, disability, need for palliative care and multimorbidity (having more than one disease) – to patients with cirrhosis, investigating disparities in organ allocation and distribution, and assessing the impact of liver donor quality on outcomes.

As principal investigator for the Functional Assessment in Liver Transplantation (FrAILT) Study funded by the National Institutes of Health, Lai applies measures of frailty and functional status to patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting transplantation. Her research lays the groundwork for preparing these patients with therapeutic interventions that may improve their outcomes and quality of life. She is director of hepatology research at UCSF.

Lai earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and combined medical and master of business administration degrees from Tufts University. She completed her residency at New York–Presbyterian Hospital and fellowships in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology at UCSF.

Lai is a member of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Society of Transplantation, American Gastroenterological Association and American College of Gastroenterology. She is a fellow of the American College of Physicians.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Internal Medicine, Transplant Hepatology, 2012

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Integrative Medicine, 2024

    UCSF, Transplant Hepatology, 2012

    UCSF, Gastroenterology, 2011

  • Residencies

    Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Internal Medicine, 2008

  • Internship

    Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Internal Medicine, 2006

  • Education

    Tufts University School of Medicine, 2005

  • Languages

    English

My mission is to help more patients survive to transplant and thrive after.

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    115 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 07, 2025
    Doctor Lai was extremely comforting, attentive, informative, and kind. Best experience i've ever had with a specialist
    Mar 02, 2025
    Dr Lai is my favorite doctor. She's informative, professional, very nice and courteous, and knowledgeable.
    Jan 16, 2025
    Dr. Lai is outstanding, providing excellent advice, listening very carefully to my concerns and responding with fact based and compassionate answers. She is my favorite doctor and I trust her and her expertise completely
    Dec 08, 2024
    Jennifer Lai really makes me feel heard and that she is committed to finding the cause of my issues and addressing it.
    Nov 09, 2024
    Dr Lai was exceptionally thorough and clear in explaining treatment options.
    Aug 13, 2024
    Answered my questions about the alternative treatment
    Aug 08, 2024
    I am extremely happy with the care I receive from Dr Lai. This was a study visit and except for the delay was fine.
    Aug 01, 2024
    Thankful for the amazing Dr I have.
    Jul 04, 2024
    Dr Lai is exceptionally thorough and caring, and has been for many years. I wish she were my PCP MM
    Jul 01, 2024
    Dr. Lai is everything you would want in a physician extremely knowledgeable, trustworthy and compassionate.
    Jun 29, 2024
    Dr Jennifer Lai is such an amazing Dr. I would highly recommend her to everyone.
    Jun 13, 2024
    Dr Lai was very personable and professional, answering my questions and seemed well prepped. Most of the time I spent at the video meeting was another Dr who was exceptional and who spent quite a good amount of time with meet getting my history and concerns, answering questions and educating me. She was a great listener and educator.
    May 19, 2024
    Great experience.
    May 14, 2024
    I find Dr Lai to be very knowledgeable and engaging
    Apr 07, 2024
    Dr Lai is excellent - very knowledgeable, professional and dedicated
    Oct 26, 2023
    This provider explained everything from diagnosis to future plans and was quick to place the prescriptions that were needed I was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism
    Oct 26, 2023
    The Dr's are great. I feel very comfortable with them.
    Aug 10, 2023
    Dr Lai is the best.
    Jul 27, 2023
    Dr Lai is the best!!
    Jul 08, 2023
    Excellent doctor , cares for patient very well
    Jul 07, 2023
    The doctor was BEYOND EXCELLENT. She fully explained my issues and what exactly the tests results showed and explained it in full details to where I was able to understand.
    Jun 30, 2023
    I really appreciated Dr. Lai's attention and thoughtfulness regarding my situation.
    Jun 07, 2023
    Super impressed by Dr. Lai. This was my first visit. She was compassionate, knowledgeable and professional. Glad to be in her hands!
    Jun 06, 2023
    She address the problem and concern that I asked
    Decorative Caduceus

    Functional Assessment in Liver Transplantation

    Grip strength: Performance-based. Measured in kilograms. This was measured in each subject's dominant hand using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Hydraulic hand dynamometer). We averaged three trials. Chair stands: Performance-based. Me...

    Recruiting

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