Our chief residents, Drs. Alyssa Civantos, Taylor Standiford Erickson, Edgar Ochoa, Evan Patel, and Ana Marija Sola, are concluding their residencies at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF OHNS). Hear about their memorable lessons and mentors at UCSF OHNS, the advice they have for the rising chief residents, and what comes next.
Alyssa Civantos, MD, MS
Caring for patients is truly a team effort, and that is one of the most meaningful lessons Dr. Civantos is carrying with her from UCSF. Working alongside an interdisciplinary team reinforced for her that the best outcomes come from many people coming together around a shared goal. Understanding each patient's unique circumstances, values, and challenges is central to that work.
When it comes to mentors, she has had no shortage of exceptional ones. "I am very grateful to Dr. Megan Durr, Dr. Jolie Chang, Dr. Mary Jue Xu, and Dr. Patrick Ha for helping shape my clinical and research interests and for serving as inspiring role models," she shares.
Her advice to the rising chief residents is grounded and warmhearted. "Lean on your co-residents and don't feel like you have to carry every challenge alone. Support one another, celebrate the wins (big or small), and remember that residency goes by much faster than you think."
During residency, Dr. Civantos developed research interests in quality improvement and expanding access to care, work she plans to carry forward. She will pursue fellowship in Endocrine Head and Neck Surgery at Stanford University under the mentorship of Dr. Lisa Orloff, where she looks forward to developing expertise in advanced endocrine surgery and ultrasound techniques.
Taylor Standiford Erickson, MD
Dr. Standiford Erickson's most memorable lesson from UCSF is one that can apply far beyond medicine. "You can learn something from everyone — if you haven't yet, you're simply not looking closely enough."
She credits a wide circle of mentors for shaping her path toward rhinology, including the rhinology and skull base surgery attendings Drs. Pletcher, Loftus, Gurrola, Goldberg, and El-Sayed, as well as Drs. Chang, Durr, and Rosbe, whom she describes as "amazing role models both in my career and in life."
For those stepping into chief year, her advice is to embrace every moment with full commitment. "Soak it all up! The days are long, but it truly does fly by. Walk into all your cases and clinical encounters as if you are the attending because in just a short time you will be!"
Dr. Standiford Erickson plans to continue her work in medical education research, including ongoing collaboration with the ACGME to explore how competency is defined and measured in OHNS trainees. She will pursue fellowship in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery at Mass Eye and Ear, where she is especially looking forward to working with Stacey Gray, who has already served as a mentor and role model to her.
Edgar Ochoa, MD
Humility is the lesson Dr. Ochoa is taking with him. Training across UCSF's diverse clinical environments taught him that no matter how much experience you gain, there is always more to learn from patients, colleagues, and the many members of the healthcare team who contribute to care every day.
He is deeply grateful to the full UCSF faculty, and names several who were especially formative. Dr. Marika Russell sparked his early interest in Otolaryngology. Dr. William Ryan encouraged his growth and opened doors at an important stage of training. Drs. Chang, Pletcher, Knott, and Park played a significant role in his development as a surgeon, educator, and investigator, ultimately informing his decision to pursue facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
His advice to the incoming chiefs speaks to both confidence and humility. "Trust yourself and enjoy the year. By the time you've reached chief year, you've already developed the skills and judgement needed to lead effectively." He also highlights the responsibility that comes with the role. "One of your most important responsibilities as chief is to invest in the success of those around you. Invest in your co-residents and students, create opportunities for them to grow, and help them feel more confident and capable."
Dr. Ochoa's research interests center on surgical and quality-of-life outcomes, with a particular focus on incorporating patient-reported outcome measures into clinical practice. He will pursue fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Colorado under the mentorship of Drs. Winkler, Terella, Ferril, and Wei, where he looks forward to developing skills across the full spectrum of reconstructive and aesthetic facial plastic surgery.
Evan Patel, MD
For Dr. Patel, the most lasting lesson from UCSF is that the best physicians are not only skilled surgeons, but also thoughtful collaborators, educators, and advocates for their patients. His time here reinforced that clinical excellence and compassion are not separate pursuits. They go hand in hand.
He is especially grateful to the Neurotology division, including Drs. Limb, Cheung, Sharon, Cheng, and Jiam, for their guidance and support in preparing him for fellowship.
His advice to the rising chiefs is direct and patient-centered. "Savor the last year of residency, be a team player, and be deliberate with your clinical and surgical growth. When in doubt think of what would be best for the patient."
Dr. Patel plans to continue investigating auditory outcomes following cochlear implantation and other hearing rehabilitation technologies, while also leveraging advanced imaging to characterize lateral skull base pathology. He will pursue Neurotology Fellowship at NYU under the mentorship of Drs. Sean McMenomey and J. Thomas Roland, and is excited to hone his surgical skills at a high-volume lateral skull base center.
Ana Marija Sola, MD
Dr. Sola is leaving UCSF with a conviction that the most effective physicians are lifelong learners who approach every patient encounter with curiosity, humility, and a commitment to continual improvement.
She reflects warmly on the mentorship she received throughout training. "Every attending I have worked with has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and to cultivating surgeons who are both technically excellent and deeply devoted to their patients." She offers particular gratitude to Dr. Dylan Chan and Dr. Charles Limb, who she says profoundly influenced her passion for hearing health, innovation, and lifelong learning.
Her advice to the rising chief residents is concise and confident. "Trust your intuition. You've nurtured it with an abundance of experiences and hard work."
During residency, Dr. Sola's research spanned pediatric hearing loss, wearable technologies, cochlear implant imaging, and public health. This breadth reflects her interest in exploring hearing health from clinical, technological, and population-based perspectives. She will pursue Neurotology fellowship at Stanford University, a field she describes as perfectly combining her interests, whether spent at the microscope or helping patients navigate challenges related to hearing and balance.
Join us in congratulating our chief residents as they conclude their time at UCSF OHNS and embark on the next chapter of their careers.
