Samuel So, MD

Samuel So, MD

Surgical oncologist, Liver surgeon, General surgeon


Lui Hac Minh Professor in the School of Medicine

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Additional Languages Spoken:
Cantonese

Biography


Dr. Samuel So is the Lui Hac Minh Professor and Professor of Surgery. He is also the founder of the multidisciplinary liver cancer program at the Stanford Cancer Center, and the founder and executive director of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. So is a native of Hong Kong and received his surgical training at the University of Hong Kong and the University of Minnesota where he also completed his fellowship in multi-organ transplantation. His current clinical area of specialty is multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of primary liver cancer and management of chronic hepatitis B infection. He is listed among the Best Doctors in America.

Dr. So is recognized worldwide for his expertise in chronic hepatitis B and primary liver cancer prevention, research, treatment and health policy. He served as a consultant for the FDA and was a member and co-chair of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health’s Hepatitis B Expert Panel. He was also a member of the Board of Population Health and Public Health Practices of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, and a committee member of the 2010 IOM report on “Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: a national strategy for the prevention and control of hepatitis B and C”, and the 2016 National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report on “Eliminating the Public Health Problem of Hepatitis B and C in the United States. He also serves as a special adviser on viral hepatitis for the World Health Organization Western Pacific regional office. In 2010, he received the CDC and ATSDR Honor Award for mobilizing people and resources in ways that have changed global public health policies related to hepatitis B, and was recognized in 2014 by the White House for global and national leadership in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis.

Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Fellowship: University of Minnesota School of Medicine (1989) MN
  • Board certification, American Board of Surgery, General Surgery (1990)
  • Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Multi-organ Transplantation (1989)
  • Medical Education: University of Hong Kong (1978) China
  • M.B., B.S., University of Hong Kong, Medicine and Surgery (1978)
  • B.A., summa cum laude, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, Microbiology (1973)

Honors & Awards
  • 10th Annual Salute to Excellence Award, American Liver Foundation (2008)
  • 12th Outstanding World Chinese Award, World Chinese Business Foundation, Hong Kong (2010)
  • 2005 National Leadership Award, New York University Center for the Study of Asian American Health (2005)
  • 34th Annual Award, Chinese Hospital, San Francisco (2007)
  • Ally Award, Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center, San Francisco (2003)
  • Angel in Medicine, Angels in Medicine (2008)
  • Asia Game Changer West Award, Asian Society Northern California (2019)
  • Asian American Achievement Award, Organization of Chinese Americans, San Mateo, California (2010)
  • Asian and Pacific Heritage Award for Excellence in Science, California Asian Pacific Islander Joint Legislative Caucus (2009)
  • Best Doctors in America, Woodard/White Compendium (1998-present)
  • Best Doctors in San Francisco, San Francisco Magazine (1998-present)
  • Best Doctors in Silicon Valley (Surgery), San Jose Magazine (1998-present)
  • Center for Asian Health Research and education Award, Stanford Medicine (2019)
  • Christopher NH Jenkins Cancer Control Award, Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (2015)
  • Commendation for outreach and increasing awareness about hepatitis B and liver cancer prevention, City and County of San Francisco (2002)
  • Commendation for Public Service, City of Milpitas, CA (2001)
  • Community Hero Award, World Journal Chinese Newspaper (2004)
  • Distinguished Advocacy Service Award, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (2023)
  • Distinguished Asian Leadership Award, Asian Business League of San Francisco (2001)
  • Distinguished Physician Award, Chinese American Physicians Society (2000)
  • Excellence in Partnering Award-Domestic, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention (2010)
  • Fervent Global Love of Lives Award, Chou-Ta Kuan Cultural and Education Foundation, Taiwan (2008)
  • Honor Award for Excellence in Partnering in Global Health, CDC and ATSDR (2010)
  • Jade Ribbon HBV Outstanding Contribution Award, Second National Workshop of Chinese HBV Carriers' Community, China (2009)
  • Local Hero of the Year Award, KQED Public Radio and Television, San Francisco (2004)
  • Outstanding American by Choice Award, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (2010)
  • Outstanding Individual of the Year, Asian American Women Alliance, Santa Clara, California (2011)
  • Profile of Excellence Award, ABC 7 Television, San Francisco (2004)
  • Ron Smith Legacy Award, SF Hep B Free - Bay Area (2018)
  • Ronald P Bangasser MD, Immunization Leadership Award, California Immunization Coalition (2014)
  • Santiago Ramon y Cajal Award for Outstanding Research in Minority Health, National Minority Health Month, Washington, DC (2003)
  • Stanford University Asian Faculty Award, Stanford University (2003)
  • Star Award for Community Service, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, San Jose (2007)
  • White House award in recognition of leadership in prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis, The White House, Washington DC (2014)
  • Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who LLC. (2003-present)
  • Who's Who in Science and Technology, Marquis Who's Who LLC. (2005-present)
  • Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare, Marquis Who's Who LCC (2006-present)

Memberships
  • Advisory Committee member, WHO Western Pacific Region Viral Hepatitis Strategic and Technical Advisory Committee (2015 - Present)
  • Executive Board, Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (2019 - Present)
  • Advisory Committee member, CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD Prevention and Treatment (2021 - Present)

Administrative Appointments
  • Affiliate member, Bio-X (2016 - Present)
  • Appointments and Promotion Committee, Stanford University School of Medicine (2004 - 2007)
  • Appointments and Promotion Committee, Stanford University School of Medicine (2007 - 2010)
  • Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (2006 - 2012)
  • CHACHSPT Member, CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT) (2021 - 2024)
  • Chair, National Task Force on Hepatitis B: Focus on Asian & Pacific Islander Americans (2004 - 2010)
  • Chair, Cancer Site Team, American Cancer Society, California Division (2003 - 2005)
  • Civil Society Reference Group on Hepatitis, World Health Organization, Geneva (2014 - Present)
  • Co-Chairman and co-founder, Scientific Advisory Board, Studies in Pediatric Liver Transplantation (1995 - 2001)
  • Committee on a National Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B & C, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (2015 - 2017)
  • Committee on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis in the United States, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (2008 - 2010)
  • Conflict of Interest Committee, Stanford University School of Medicine (2008 - Present)
  • Consultant, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA, DHHS (1999 - 2013)
  • Consultant, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005 - Present)
  • Fellow, Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health (2015 - Present)
  • Founder and Director , Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Program, Stanford University Medical Center (1998 - Present)
  • Founder and Director, Asian Liver Center, Stanford University (1996 - Present)
  • Hepatitis Expert Resource Panel, World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (2013 - Present)
  • Informatics and Data Committee, American Society of Transplant Surgeons (1997 - 2000)
  • Liver and Intra-Abdominal Organs Committee, American Society of Transplant Physicians (1995 - 1999)
  • Lui Hac Minh Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine (2003 - Present)
  • Member, Stanford Center for Population Health Sciences (2015 - Present)
  • Member in Population Sciences, Stanford Cancer Institute (2003 - Present)
  • Member of the Board, American Cancer Society, California Division (2002 - 2006)
  • Member of the National Assembly, American Cancer Society (2003 - 2005)
  • Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, Studies in Pediatric Liver Transplantation (1995 - Present)
  • Pediatric Committee, United Network of Organ Sharing (1989 - 1992)
  • Pediatric Committee, American Society of Transplant Physicians (1993 - 1995)
  • Roundtable on Health Disparity, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (2008 - 2012)
  • Scientific Studies Committee, American Society of Transplantation (1997 - 2000)
  • Special Adviser on Viral Hepatitis, World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (2011 - Present)
  • Strategic Technical Advisory Committee for Viral Hepatitis in the Western Pacific, World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (2015 - Present)

Publications

Practice Locations


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Patient Reviews

(12 reviews)

Dr. Samuel So was my care provider/physician. Do not let this dedicated, brilliant, caring doctor ever retire! Despite the reason why you are there, he still gives hope and common sense about your condition. It is easy to put up with the less than good staff because Dr. So is your doctor. The staff attitude (lacks professionalism, courtesy) sometimes may be generational. You don't get the sense they give 100% to the patients. They do their job.
Good experience.
Good experience.
Good experience.
Good experience.
Good experience.
Dr. So has been giving me excellent care for almost 9 years. Dr. saved my life.
Very good experience.
Good experience.
Good experience.
Good experience.
Dr. So is one of the physicians who makes a difference in a patient's life and is truly a brilliant exceptional asset to Stanford's reputation.

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