Maribel Pineda: Saying “Thank You” Every Day

Fifteen years ago, Maribel Pineda was in a car accident during which she sustained a gruesome head injury. An ambulance responded to the scene and rushed her to San Francisco General Hospital’s emergency room where a surgeon attended to her wounds.

“Never in a million years did I think I would end up in the care of the Trauma Team,” said Maribel. Confused and scared at the time, she can only remember “the wonderful anesthesiologist who held my hand and told me everything was going to be all right…I could never forget her.” As a patient, Maribel appreciated the outstanding care and individual attention she received.

As an administrative member of the UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, she witnesses firsthand what it takes to provide care at that level. Looking back, Maribel thinks, “Although a ‘thank you’ isn't enough, I only wish I had a chance to thank the anesthesiologist in charge that night and the surgeon for helping me get through that moment.”

While Maribel has never been able to shake the hand of the anesthesiologist who held hers in her time of need, she has the opportunity to assist other care providers every day through her work at UCSF. She has been a member of the anesthesiology department for nearly 16 years.

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