Christopher Newton, MD FACS FAAP

Education & Training

Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley

Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine

General Surgery Residency: UCSF-East Bay

Fellowship: Pediatric Surgery, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Fellowship: Pediatric Critical Care, Northwestern University

Employment

Director, Trauma Critical Care, UCSF-Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA

Co-Director, Neuroscience Center, UCSF-Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA

What was your favorite thing about UCSF East Bay?

I have always been so drawn to the very special soul that is weaved into this program. It is hard to describe or put your finger on, but also quite undeniable. There is an overall character quality that is so genuine, so human, and very connected to the community in Oakland. It is a large part of why I came back to Oakland as an attending, and part of why I will never leave. The sense of family, sense of community, and lack of pretense are real and like no other.

What would you like to share with applicants about your experiences at East Bay?

The training at East Bay has always had such tremendous breadth. The acknowledged frustrations of rotating through several hospital types also yields the benefit of really good exposure to so many different aspects of surgical practice. Of course that provides great flexibility for the residents to choose any career path. But maybe most significantly, it makes you a good surgeon – well-rounded and prepared for just about anything. In my subsequent years as a fellow and then as an attending, I have never felt at a disadvantage from lack of exposure to a particular niche or problem.

Do you have a favorite memory from UCSF-East Bay?

The moments that I remember in particular about my residency were all instances of significant difficulty and challenges: my first night on call at Highland, the first time I took a junior resident through an operation, nights on call that were particularly busy, the administrative challenges of being the first class to enter the 80-hour work week, and many more. The common thread that I remember through all those tough moments was the presence of really unbelievable mentors. At times, these individuals had the foresight and the experience to know when to help and when to stand back. That is a tough balance to strike, and I have always felt fortunate to have mentors who were really good at that.