
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) are critically ill children who need to be continuously monitored. We treat kids who are suffering from a variety of life-threatening conditions or are recovering from surgery. Our doctors and nurses helped pioneer special techniques for taking care of children who are this sick. Our ability to deliver high-quality care using the most advanced technology available has brought patients here from throughout the western United States.
In both our San Francisco and Oakland locations, doctors in dozens of different pediatric specialties may consult in your child's care. In addition, the PICU has doctors called intensivists, trained to care for very sick children. Our team also includes respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists and two social workers dedicated exclusively to critical care. Patients and their families have access to physical therapists, occupational therapists, a chaplain and child life workers skilled in comforting kids and helping them adapt to being in a hospital.
We recognize how stressful serious illness is for kids and their loved ones, so we try to ensure care in the PICU is family-centered and encourage you to spend as much time with your child as possible.
As they get better, many of our PICU patients go on to receive further care within the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals network.
Why families choose us
Access to all hospital resources and subspecialties
- Our PICU offers access to more than 50 subspecialties and the most advanced technology available and is dedicated to providing the highest level of medical care to our pediatric patients.
- Subspecialty services available through the PICU include neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedics, general surgery, cardiology, pulmonary, hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant.
Child-focused care for all of Northern California
- Patient care in the PICU always provides family-centered treatment that is developmentally- and age-appropriate, compassionate, and effective for the treatment of various health problems.
- Approximately one-third of our critical care patient population comes from hospitals as far away as Nevada, who rely on the expertise and experience of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals to handle the most challenging cases.
Critical care support staff
- We attract and retain exceptional critical care nurses and nurse specialists many of whom have been with us for 20 years or more, and take an active role in training more junior colleagues.
- Additional members of the team include respiratory therapists, nutritionists, pharmacists, and two social workers dedicated exclusively to Critical Care.
Your child receives more than just a one-time treatment
- Many patients in our PICU go on to receive direct patient care, post-operative care, inter-facility transport program, and trauma care within the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital’s network.
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals offers academic, clinical, and research experience to the next generation of pediatric specialists.
Our locations (2)
Our team
-
Mandeep Chadha
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
Natalie Cvijanovich
MD
Critical care pediatrician -
Sanjeev Datar
MD, PhD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
Jeffrey Fineman
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
R. Scott Heidersbach
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
James Howard
MD, PhD
Critical care pediatrician -
Efrat Lelkes
MD
Pediatric critical care and palliative care physician -
Patrick McQuillen
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
Vivienne Newman
MD
Pediatric critical care medicine specialist -
Peter Oishi
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
Arup Roy-Burman
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
Scott Soifer
MD
Pediatric cardiologist and critical care specialist -
Sarah Tabbutt
MD, PhD
Pediatric cardiologist and critical care specialist -
Sandrijn van Schaik
MD, PhD
Pediatric critical care specialist -
Sharon Williams
MD
Pediatric critical care specialist
Awards & recognition
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Ranked among the nation's best in 10 specialties
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
New visitor rules
Patients may have only one visitor at a time and switch visitors twice a day. Thanks!

Your Stay
We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.
Learn more
Your Child's Care Team
Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.
Learn more
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Learn moreSupport services
Child Life Services
Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.
Our research initiatives
Learning never stops
Our classroom and bedside classes help kids get credit and keep learning during treatment.
See our school program