International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Every year, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals welcome children and their families from outside the United States. UCSF International Services is here to ensure that language and distance aren't obstacles to accessing our world-class diagnostic, treatment and specialty care services.
Why choose UCSF
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, in Oakland and San Francisco, rank among the nation's top hospitals in 10 specialty areas, according to U.S. News & World Report. These are cancer, cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology and urology.
As part of receiving care at a leading research institution, our patients enjoy notable benefits, including opportunities to access cutting-edge care through more than 1,700 active clinical trials (studies of promising new treatments). UCSF is one of the highest-funded public academic institutions by the National Institutes of Health and has won nearly every prestigious prize in the health sciences, with a faculty that includes six Nobel Prize winners.
By uniting experts in both patient care and medical research, we are proud to drive advancements in treatment and technology that serve patients here and around the world.
Patient stories
Nerve surgery helps child with movement disorder run with confidence
Creating hope through in utero treatments for rare genetic disorders
Sickle cell: Closing in on a cure
Our key specialties
Pediatric cancer care
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals is the best facility in Northern California and among the best in the country for pediatric cancer care, according to U.S. News & World Report. In addition to providing the most effective treatments currently available, our doctors are working to developing new therapies through a variety of research projects and clinical trials.
Pediatric Brain Center
The UCSF Pediatric Brain Center is advancing the standard of care for young patients with brain disorders. Our center unites experts in epilepsy treatment; gene therapy; movement disorder treatment; and neurovascular care, including for pediatric stroke.
Pediatric Heart Center
Our world-class pediatric cardiologists are experts in caring for fetuses, infants, children and teens with a range of heart conditions, including heart disease, heart defects and pulmonary hypertension. We use the most advanced technologies to provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services.
Fetal Treatment Center
Ranked best in Northern California and fifth in the entire U.S. for neonatology, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals deliver specialized diagnosis, interventions and other advanced care to high-risk fetuses and infants. Our neonatal intensive care nursery – one of the first of its kind – treats more than 1,000 infants each year.
Pediatric gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery
U.S. News & World Report ranks UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals among the best in the country for pediatric gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery. We have specialists in caring for children and teens with chronic pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and other digestive conditions.
Services we offer
At UCSF International Services, we know that seeking care can be overwhelming, so our team is here to help you every step of the way. Our staff coordinates all aspects of your child's visit to our hospitals and clinics, with a commitment to making your family as comfortable as possible during your stay. We assign each patient an experienced patient liaison, who helps coordinate care from doctors and assists with special needs before, during and after the visit.
Our patients receive care in an environment that respects all cultural traditions and backgrounds. Our goal is to provide your family with a level of personal support that matches the world-class medical treatment your child will receive.
We can arrange or recommend a variety of services, including:
- Coordinating interpreters and translation services
- Providing information on short- and long-term accommodations and lodging
- Assisting with directions to various UCSF Health clinics and locations
- Identifying resources for spiritual or religious guidance
- Offering suggestions on transportation, banking, restaurants and shopping
Please note that International Services doesn't provide medical advice. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals do offer an online second opinion service, which is open to international patients.
Follow the steps below to start planning your visit today. If you have questions, contact us by phone at +1 415-353-8489 or by email at international@ucsf.edu.
Contact us
Phone, fax and email
Mailing address
For U.S. Postal Service deliveries:
1500 Owens St., Suite 360Campus Box 0627
San Francisco, CA 94143
For deliveries via FedEx, DHL, UPS and other delivery service companies:
1500 Owens St., Suite 360San Francisco, CA 94158
Connect with us
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Brochure
Learn more about UCSF International Services by downloading our brochure: