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Dr. Jessica Ristau, who goes by Jesse, is a specialist in general internal medicine and provides specialty care in addiction medicine. She uses a whole-person approach guided by findings from the latest medical research to provide health care, and aims to empower patients to meet their health goals. She cares for patients with substance use disorders, including opioid, stimulant and alcohol use disorders, with a particular focus on buprenorphine therapy as part of care for opioid addiction. She practices trauma-informed care, an approach of being mindful that people's past experiences often impact their responses to receiving medical care. She integrates addiction medicine with general internal medicine, both as a doctor and as a teacher. She is also working to expand access to care for patients with substance use disorders, and provides educational support in addiction medicine for UCSF faculty and trainees. In addition to caring for patients, Ristau works as a consultant for the Substance Use Warmline of the National Clinician Consultation Center.

Ristau earned her medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine. At UCSF, she completed a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in addiction medicine based at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center and in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Preventive Medicine, Addiction Medicine, 2021

    American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine, 2019

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Addiction Medicine, 2020

  • Residencies

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 2019

  • Internship

    UCSF, Internal Medicine, 2017

  • Education

    Boston University School of Medicine, 2016

  • Languages

    English

I love my job, especially caring for patients and getting to know what moves them and how I can support them in their health goals.

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    83 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 05, 2025
    Dr. Ristau has been very caring.
    Dec 05, 2024
    Dr. Ristau is an excellent physician who listens and cares about her patients.
    Nov 20, 2024
    Dr. Ristau is a fabulous listener. She was so caring while giving me the mental test and explained things when I confused matters (medication caused my Mom-in-Law to perfect the redoing of the clock drawing). I have already recommended Dr. Ristau to many friends who wish to change to UCSF and need and Internist.
    Nov 14, 2024
    Best doctor!
    Oct 16, 2024
    Superb. Definitely a 10
    Jul 17, 2024
    Always the best
    Jun 15, 2024
    Very friendly, fully engaged me in conversation
    May 22, 2024
    Very good
    Apr 02, 2024
    Dr Ristau is friendly, empathetic, professional and organized in her approach to follow-up, treatment referrals, etc. All of this results in excellent care.
    Mar 28, 2024
    Very appreciated the way the doctor listened and took time and showing interest of a person.
    Mar 26, 2024
    Dr. Ristau was very thorough, informative, knowledgeable and caring. I feel confident in Dr. Ristau's care.
    Dec 15, 2023
    Dr Ristau did a fine job.
    Dec 01, 2023
    I am confident in the medical care received.
    Nov 20, 2023
    Dr. Ristau understood complexities of my recent in-patient stay for pneumonia and my underlying health issues.She focused on next steps, including labs, CT chest, and possible 24-hour Holter monitor test (deferred at my request, for now).Pleasant, unrushed, efficient as always.
    Nov 08, 2023
    Very professional

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