Skip to main content
UCSF Medical Center
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
UCSF Logo
  • UCSF Logo
  • Specialties
      • Cancer

      • Cardiology & Heart Surgery

      • Dermatology

      • Endocrinology & Endocrine Surgery

      • Fetal Treatment

      • Gastroenterology

      • Infectious Disease

      • Neurology

      • Neurosurgery

      • Ophthalmology

      • Orthopedics

      • Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

      • Pediatrics

      • Pulmonology

      • Spine

      • Surgery

      • Urology

      • Women's Health

  • COVID-19
  • About Us
  • Refer a Patient
      • Refer a Patient

      • Refer a Pediatrics Patient

      • Transfer a Patient

      • Request a Consultation

      • UCSF MD Link

  • Clinical Trials

Cindy Chang, MD

Primary care sports medicine specialist

Cindy Chang, MD

Dr. Cindy Chang is a specialist in primary care sports medicine, with more than 25 years of experience in caring for athletes of all ages and levels. Her patients are active in a variety of sports, from archery and aquatics to wrestling and wheelchair basketball. She educates her patients about their injuries, shares findings from examinations and imaging studies, and helps them determine their best treatment options. She provides referrals to orthopedic surgeons or other specialists as needed and works with patients to help prevent future injury and illness. A lifelong competitive athlete, Chang has dealt with multiple injuries of her own, and that personal experience informs her empathic, individualized approach to patient care. She co-directs the concussion program of the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

Chang's research focuses on improving health and safety for athletes ranging from schoolchildren to adults, including college athletes and competitors in the Olympics and Paralympics. Also passionate about medical education on these topics, she serves as program director for UCSF's fellowship program in primary care sports medicine.

Chang earned her medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine. She completed a residency in family medicine at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in sports medicine at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

For 13 years, Chang was head team physician at the University of California, Berkeley for all 27 intercollegiate sports, including football. She served as chief medical officer for Team USA during the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and 2012 London Olympics. She continues to provide sports medicine coverage at sporting events in the community, including by volunteering as a team physician for UC Berkeley, Berkeley High School and select USA national teams. She has also been a youth sports coach, and her children have played a variety of sports at all levels of competition, with one currently playing Level 1 professional soccer overseas. 

Chang is a past president of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, serves on the board of trustees for the American College of Sports Medicine and chairs the California Interscholastic Federation Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. She recently served on the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee for the National Federation of State High School Associations. She serves on the board of Racing Hearts, a nonprofit that places automated external defibrillators in schools. As an advocate for many health- and safety-related measures, she meets with legislators on various topics, including the importance of supporting California athletic trainers by licensing their profession.

View Full Profile

View Profile


Related Videos

A Lesson in Low Back Pain: Locate the Source Video

A Lesson in Low Back Pain: Locate the Source

Sports medicine specialist Cindy Chang, MD, demos three tests to perform during a lumbar spine exam, to help you readily detect the main cause of discomfort. She also has a tip on what not to overlook.

The Ball’s in Your Court: What Your Injured Athletic Patients Need You to Know Video

The Ball’s in Your Court: What Your Injured Athletic Patients Need You to Know

Sports medicine specialist Dr. Cindy Chang explains the importance of distinguishing elite athletes from recreational athletes and how this difference impacts the best treatment approaches to various injuries. She also discusses age considerations ...

Additional Links

  • Refer a Patient

  • Find a Doctor

  • Medical Services

  • Clinical Trials

  • Continuing Medical Education

This Video Content is available for informational and educational purposes only. UCSF does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the Video Content. The Regents of the University of California and its officers, agents or employees (UCSF) will not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from any use of the Video Content, which is provided as is, and without warranties. The Video Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the Site.

©2002 - 2022 The Regents of The University of California