Leading the Way: Meet the Department of Surgery’s New Chiefs

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The University of California San Diego School of Medicine Department of Surgery is nationally recognized across numerous surgical specialties, offers 11 distinguished educational programs, and operates one of the world’s most advanced training facilities — the Center for the Future of Surgery.

This work would not be possible without the leadership of the 12 division chiefs. Accomplished clinicians, educators and researchers, the chiefs guide every facet of their division’s operations. From advancing innovative programs to upholding the highest standards of patient care, their leadership shapes the department’s direction and brings each division’s vision to life.

Recently, the department promoted three new chiefs to the leadership team: Laura Haines, M.D., chief of the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery; Garth Jacobsen, M.D., chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery; and Gabriel Schnickel, M.D., chief of the Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery. In this Q&A, learn what it means to be a division chief, what inspired these leaders to take on this role, and how they plan to shape the future of each division.

What does it mean to you to be chief of your division?

Haines: I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead the Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns and Acute Care Surgery. Our team has a rich history of excellence in caring for the community and in advancing the field, providing care in San Diego County for more than 40 years. To step into this role means carrying forward that legacy while guiding a truly talented group of faculty into the next chapter of innovation, education and patient-centered care.

Jacobsen: Being chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery is both an extraordinary honor and a profound responsibility. I look forward to fostering an environment where we can push the boundaries of what’s possible in minimally invasive techniques, while stewarding our division’s reputation and empowering our faculty to reach new heights. Most importantly, it means ensuring that our work continues to transform lives through less invasive surgical approaches that improve outcomes and accelerate patient recovery.

Schnickel: When I think about what it means to be chief of the Division of Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, the first word that comes to mind is gratitude. I get to lead a team of incredibly talented people who dedicate themselves to work that is both demanding and deeply meaningful. I am lucky to be taking over this role from the division’s previous leaders, who helped shape this division in important and lasting ways. My role now is about building on that foundation and fostering an environment where people can do their best work, feel supported and know they are part of something larger than themselves.

What inspired you to become chief?

Haines: Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside incredible mentors and colleagues who modeled what strong leadership looks like. I was inspired by the impact a chief can have — not just on clinical care, but also on shaping education, advancing research, and fostering a culture where people feel valued. Becoming chief was a natural extension of my commitment to advancing trauma and critical care, and it gives me the chance to create opportunities for others the way my mentors did for me.

Jacobsen: My inspiration stems from 12 transformative years leading the general surgery residency program, where I discovered the profound impact of mentorship and collaborative leadership. I learned that the most rewarding aspects of academic medicine come from lifting others up and creating pathways for their success. The chance to develop and mentor our outstanding faculty — a dynamic mix of talented new recruits and seasoned surgeons — deeply motivated me to pursue this role. The opportunity to guide this exceptional group while supporting our health system and maintaining UC San Diego’s position at the forefront of surgical innovation is ultimately what inspired me to embrace this new challenge.

Schnickel: What drew me to this role was the chance to help shape the culture and direction of the work I love and support the people I care about. I’ve worked with leaders who inspired me, supported me and advocated for me, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful that encouragement can be. I am lucky to be part of a division filled with bright, dedicated and compassionate surgeons. For me, leadership is about doing the right work the right way and creating the conditions for everyone around you to succeed.

How do you plan to lead and shape your division for the future?

Haines: My vision is to strengthen our division’s tradition of excellence while preparing for the challenges ahead. A key priority will be developing a system-wide Emergency General Surgery (EGS) program to ensure the highest quality care for patients presenting to UC San Diego Health with acute surgical disease. It is critical in this growing system that the right patient gets to the right place at the right time across all of our hospitals. At the same time, I will focus on advancing research, expanding education and fostering mentorship to support the next generation of leaders. Above all, I want our division to remain at the forefront of innovation and collaboration in caring for the most critically ill and injured patients.

Jacobsen: My primary focus will be on creating an environment that maximizes the potential of our already outstanding faculty. I’ll prioritize transparent communication, where every voice is valued, and all perspectives drive our collective success. I’ll also emphasize work-life integration, recognizing that sustainable excellence requires supporting our team members as whole people. Additionally, I plan to strengthen partnerships with bioengineering, clinical partners and industry partners to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of surgical technology. By supporting our faculty’s individual strengths while encouraging collaborative projects, we can advance minimally invasive techniques that benefit patients today while developing tomorrow’s surgical breakthroughs.

Schnickel: Looking ahead, I see UC San Diego Health as a national leader in transplantation, not only in surgical outcomes but in how we imagine the future of the field. Our division will drive change in how organs are donated, allocated and cared for, our initiatives grounded in equity, sustainability and compassion. We will create an environment where people can do their best work, letting their talent flourish and collaboration thrive. The best programs aren’t built by chasing numbers; they’re built by aligning clinical excellence, rigorous science and human values with the right intention and the right effort. When we do that, volume and influence will follow, expanding our local impact and shaping the national conversation on organ donation and transplantation.