Catherine E. Firestein, MD

Catherine Firestein, MD, MPH, is a board-certified internal medicine physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patients. As a hospitalist, Dr. Firestein is assigned to patients at the time of admission and provides care only during their hospital stay. She does not see patients at outpatient clinics and is not available for appointments. Upon a patient's hospital discharge, Dr. Firestein communicates with their regular physician to ensure quality care.

Prior to joining UC San Diego Heath, she served as a hospitalist for the Ochsner Health System and as a clinical instructor for the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

Dr. Firestein completed her residency at Tulane University School of Medicine where she also earned her medical degree. She completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in international health and development at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Firestein is board certified in internal medicine.

She is an active member of the Society of Hospital Medicine and the American College of Physicians.

Outside of work, Dr. Firestein enjoys learning about history and culture through local and international travel, hiking, dance, cycling, and yoga. She is also an avid dog lover, having adopted multiple rescues over the years.