Pediatric Surgery
Welcome to the UCLA Division of Pediatric Surgery!
At UCLA Health, the Division of Pediatric Surgery is committed to advancing surgical care for children through expert treatment, education, and global outreach. While we care for infants and children with a wide range of conditions, our broader mission is to train future leaders in pediatric surgery and expand access to high-quality care worldwide.
Training the next generation of pediatric surgeons
UCLA pediatric surgeons are core educators in the UCLA General Surgery Residency Program, offering residents hands-on experience in neonatal surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and complex congenital conditions. Residents learn from expert faculty and gain skills in both the operating room and research settings, preparing them for impactful careers in academic and community practice.
Global health partnerships in pediatric surgery
Our team leads global health initiatives that improve pediatric surgical care in underserved regions. Through partnerships with the UCLA Global Health Program, Mending Kids International, and Partners for Pediatric Progress, we support sustainable surgical training abroad.
We maintain a long-term collaboration with the Eduardo Mondlane School of Medicine in Mozambique, where we help train local providers and support the country's only pediatric surgeon.
Research that drives pediatric innovation
Our faculty conduct innovative research to improve surgical outcomes for children. From refining surgical techniques to advancing care models, our work helps shape the future of pediatric surgery both locally and globally.
Specialized care for infants and children
At UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and outpatient centers, our surgeons treat a wide range of conditions using advanced techniques, including minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery. We provide specialized care in:
- Neonatal and gastrointestinal surgery
- Pediatric oncology and thoracic surgery
- Prenatal consultations through the UCLA Fetal Care Center
- Same-day procedures at the UCLA Ambulatory Surgery Center
National recognition for excellence in pediatric surgery
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital has been nationally recognized for its commitment to delivering the highest standard of pediatric surgical care. It has earned the prestigious Level I designation from the This designation is based on 104 rigorous standards that evaluate critical areas of pediatric care.
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital is:
- One of only 55 centers nationwide to receive the Level I designation
- One of just five hospitals in California to earn the recognition
- The only hospital in Los Angeles to achieve this honor
Top rankings in the US News & World Report
In addition to this verification, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital ranked among the top five in California in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report evaluation of pediatric care. Several pediatric subspecialties were nationally ranked, marking the 18th consecutive year that UCLA Health has been recognized among the nation’s best in the publication’s Best Children’s Hospitals assessment.
