William Y. Hoffman

MD

Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Avid and accomplished photographer

Dr. William Hoffman is a plastic surgeon who specializes in treating children with a wide variety of craniofacial (skull or face) abnormalities, including cleft lip and cleft palate, craniosynostosis, facial palsy, and hemangiomas and other birthmarks or vascular anomalies. An innovator in the field of craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, he routinely performs complex and intricate surgeries, and works with orthodontists and other specialists to correct abnormalities in children's facial appearances while improving their breathing and ability to eat. He also treats adults, performing complex facial reconstructions as well as aesthetic facial surgeries, including facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). He is UCSF's chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Hoffman is widely published, and his research interests include the biology of hemangiomas, fetal surgery for facial deformities and improving cleft lip surgery. Working with the California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Hoffman led a successful effort to pass legislation in California that greatly expands insurance coverage for children with cleft lip and palate. Hoffman has been named to U.S. News & World Report's list of America's best doctors for the past 15 years, a distinction reserved for the top 1 percent of physicians in the nation for a given specialty.

Hoffman earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry. At UCSF, he completed a residency in general surgery and a residency in plastic surgery, serving as chief resident. He then completed a fellowship in craniofacial and cleft lip surgery at NYU Langone Health.

Hoffman is treasurer of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. He serves as a senior examiner for the American Board of Plastic Surgery and on its craniofacial surgery advisory council. He is past president of the American Association of Pediatric Plastic Surgeons and American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.

  • Education

    University of Rochester School of Medicine, 1977

  • Residencies

    UCSF, General Surgery, 1983

    UCSF, Plastic Surgery, 1985

  • Fellowships

    New York University, Craniofacial Surgery, 1986

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Cleft and craniofacial surgery affords surgeons the opportunity to know patients from birth to adulthood, becoming close to them and their families.

Treatments I provide

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    4.7

    Overall Experience
    381 Ratings
    About our process
    Feb 16, 2023
    Dr was very busy Had to many patients waiting So he was in a hurry not much care given Ready to leave examination room soon
    Feb 14, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman put me at ease immediately with his friendly demeanor. I was extremely nervous going into this appointmentI didn't know what to expect and he couldn't have been nicer or more informative.
    Feb 09, 2023
    All very good
    Feb 02, 2023
    Dr Hoffman and his team are the best
    Jan 23, 2023
    Dr Hoffman is the most amazing surgeon and his staff is outstanding
    Jan 23, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman is Excellent and would recommend him to everyone I know.
    Jan 19, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman has always been patient and listened to my concerns.
    Jan 06, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman always listens carefully and includes me and decisions about my treatment. He always approaches with calmness and empathy.
    Jan 06, 2023
    Fantastic Doctor!!
    Jan 05, 2023
    Dr. Hoffman is Awesome and of course I will recommend him to anyone looking for the same service.
    Nov 10, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman is the best
    Oct 24, 2022
    This provider did not take any time to understand the reason I was there seemed in a hurry to leave and was particularly not helpful when the referring physician was mentioned. He seemed to treat the patient like a nuisance or an uninformed child and did not explain the process I was referred to him to get information about. It was a disturbing visit & wasted quite a bit of time.
    Oct 20, 2022
    The doctor was very informative and answered all of my questions.
    Oct 17, 2022
    Well, what I would like is for them to give me a quicker follow-up on mine. And they told me that they could make another appointment for me until April.
    Sep 12, 2022
    I felt calm.
    Sep 10, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman listen very carefully and gave me lots of options while including me in the decision.
    Sep 07, 2022
    Dr Hoffman was incredible! Friendly and competent. He did such a wonderful job with Reids surgery! And was thoughtful of our time. I will highly recommend him and UCSF.
    Aug 30, 2022
    THANKS
    Aug 08, 2022
    Hoping for in person visit
    Aug 06, 2022
    We are lucky to have found Dr. Hoffman. He's the most gifted surgeon and the kindest human being.
    Jul 08, 2022
    Dr Hoffman is so nice and he listens to your concerns and tries to help as best as he can
    Jun 13, 2022
    Excellent experience
    May 26, 2022
    Drm Hoffman and his team are GREAT!
    May 07, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman always treats me well.
    May 02, 2022
    I forgot to say that the friendliest person we met during the visit was the gentleman who took our co-payment and then gave my son a toy car on the way out.
    Apr 25, 2022
    Had a very smooth experience. I travelled 2 hr drive from Sacramento region. Doctors were always helpful and accommodative of son's behavior which needed extra care. All the team of doctors and nurses stood strong and helped every way they can.
    Mar 28, 2022
    I would like them to have options of professionals where the patient feels comfortable receiving care and trust them that they are in the right place for their care.
    Mar 21, 2022
    We had to wait for over an hour for our appointment!? What's the point of scheduling an appointment and trying to arrive on-time if patients are going to be seen over an hour later??! Hire more folks if you need to, but this is ridiculous to have to wait over an hour to be seen.
    Mar 07, 2022
    We love UCSF staff from the receptionist to the doctors and nurses
    Jan 15, 2022
    Very good
    Jan 14, 2022
    Dr Hoffman was also great - very kind and patient and conveys caring and compassion. He listened to me and offered suggests that are particular to me. I really felt that he's there to help me reach MY goals. In summary I came away with a very positive impression of Dr Hoffman and his nurses - they fostered a sense of trust. I am looking forward to having him be the doctor for my FFS.
    Jan 13, 2022
    Dr. Hoffman seems to be a very kind and caring doctor with a friendly manner. He was NOT Arrogrant at all.
    Jan 10, 2022
    Is very good
    Jan 10, 2022
    Support staff was fabulous!
    Jan 06, 2022
    Dr Hoffman and his staff are professional respectful experienced and personable. I trust Dr Hoffman on his expertise and judgement on his advice decisions surgeries and his procedures.
    Jan 06, 2022
    Dr Hoffman is excellent really takes his time listening to patients. I can't say enough how much I appreciate his kindness bedside manner and clinical expertise.
    Dec 27, 2021
    Thank you and we feel completely comfortable and trust the doctor and nurses.
    Dec 16, 2021
    I wished I could have seen more before and after pictures to be reassured. Having these handy would have been helpful.
    Dec 07, 2021
    Honestly I think cause I know how busy he is I feel rushed in those appointments so I don't think of questions until after. Also I thought I knew a lot about this procedure but I didn't. For example I knew that the fat transplant may have to be done again up to three times I was under the impression after the third time he stops performing cause the fat won't take but this appointment I learned that he stops after the third time cause the fat will eventually take so miscommunication here and there.
    Nov 30, 2021
    No follow up phone call to schedule any procedures. I might have been referred to a plastic surgeon instead of a dermatologist for one of my issues.
    Nov 22, 2021
    Everyone seemed to really care and I didn't feel rushed like you sometimes do at large facilities.
    Nov 05, 2021
    Excellent care
    Oct 25, 2021
    Very present man very helpful.
    Oct 25, 2021
    Dr. Hoffman didn't listen to me and didn't care about my concerns. He just told me what he wanted to do. He is the worst provider I have ever met before. It was a TERRIBLE experience.
    Oct 20, 2021
    The referral sent in by my primary physician was written/sent incorrectly to "Plastic/Reconstruction Surgery". It has now been correctly sent to Colorectal Surgery.
    Sep 23, 2021
    Dr Hoffman is a very caring and a pioneer in his field. He has a good bedside manner and listens to his patients.
    Aug 25, 2021
    Dr Hoffman is knowledgable experienced and interested in his patients. I felt very well taken care of.
    Aug 20, 2021
    Great thanks
    Aug 20, 2021
    Dr. Hoffman is a very kind and caring provider.
    Jul 16, 2021
    Thanks
    Jun 28, 2021
    I had a great experience and love the care provided at UCSF
    Jun 28, 2021
    It was very good
    Jun 08, 2021
    He was worth the wait.
    Jun 03, 2021
    provider needs to consult with other docs and try to get my surgical plan 2017 out of Kaiser records
    May 24, 2021
    The service was excellent, the truth is that they treated my daughter very well in the hospital, we have very good memories of the day we went, the truth is that they treated me excellently, they all behaved very well.
    May 21, 2021
    Dr. Hoffman is very kind a great listener and really explains things well.
    Apr 23, 2021
    Dr. Hoffman and the team made me feel like I was in the best possible care and very professional support.
    Apr 22, 2021
    I am wondering how to get written post treatment care instructions? MyChart? other?

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