Jessica Weaver, MD, PhD

Jessica L. Weaver, MD, PhD, is a board-certified surgeon who cares for people who have experienced traumatic injuries, such as a fall or motor vehicle collision, as well as those requiring elective or emergency surgery for general surgical issues, such as appendicitis, gallstones and hernias. She also provides elective general surgery consultations at the outpatient clinic in Hillcrest medical offices.

As an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery, Dr. Weaver trains medical students, residents and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Her research interests include understanding the effect of direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) in reducing swelling and restoring blood flow in patients after hemorrhagic shock and brain death. Her research has helped advance knowledge on the causes of inflammation after brain death.

Dr. Weaver's work has appeared in medical and research publications, including the American Journal of Surgery, the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, the Journal of Investigative Surgery, and the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.

She has won awards recognizing her clinical and academic excellence, including the Star Research Award from the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Critical Care Award from the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

Dr. Weaver completed a fellowship in surgical critical care at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia. She completed her residency in general surgery at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Ky., where she earned a PhD in physiology and biophysics. Dr. Weaver holds a medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. She is board certified in general surgery.

Dr. Weaver is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

In her free time, she enjoys running and international travel.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Trauma Center and Surgical Services.