physicians
Mathias Masem, M.D.
Dr. Mathias Masem is an orthopedic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in surgery of the hand and upper extremity.
Masem earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota. He completed general surgery training and a residency in orthopedic surgery at UCSF, then completed a hand surgery fellowship under esteemed hand surgeon Dr. Jack Tupper in Oakland. He spent the following two years as an orthopedic research physician in Switzerland at the University of Bern and the Laboratory for Experimental Surgery. He furthered his training in hand and upper extremity surgery and microsurgery as a clinical and research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
In addition to his private practice in Oakland he is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco. He works at the UCSF Orthopedic Institute training and teaching Orthopedic residents and fellows in techniques of upper extremity surgery, diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Masem is also a consultant in hand and upper extremity injuries for the University of California, Berkeley athletic teams and health services. Dr. Masem is past Chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and past Chief of the Division of Hand Surgery at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California.
Dr. Masem has authored numerous articles and given many lectures on upper extremity orthopedic surgery.
Gopal Lalchandani, MD
Dr. Gopal Lalchandani is an Assistant Professor in the Hand, Elbow and Upper Extremity Division of the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dr. Lalchandani treats both pediatric and adult patients. His clinical expertise includes acute upper limb trauma and post-traumatic reconstruction of complex injuries of the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow. He also cares for a variety of upper extremity conditions including sports-related injuries, arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendon lacerations, and ligament injuries. His unique clinical interests also include pediatric congenital hand and complex injuries of the elbow.
Dr. Lalchandani completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He then completed his internship and residency at the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, at which he served as a chief resident during his final year. Most recently, Dr. Lalchandani completed the Harvard Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at the Brigham & Women’s, Boston Children’s, and Massachusetts General Hospitals.
An avid researcher, Dr. Lalchandani’s clinical research interests include wide-awake hand surgery, management of distal radius fractures, and the post-operative outcomes after upper extremity surgery – from flexor tendon repair to radial head arthroplasty. His work has been presented both nationally and internationally, and he has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Fluent in conversational Spanish, Dr. Lalchandani grew up in Sacramento, CA. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and skiing.
Dr. Lalchandani sees patients at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute on the Mission Bay campus in San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Walnut Creek.
Susi Rugama, N.P.-C
Susi Rugama, NP-C, is a accomplished Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, specializing in pain management, orthopedics, neurology, and case management. Her dedication to patient-centered care and her bilingual fluency in English and Spanish have enabled her to build meaningful connections with diverse patient populations. Susi is highly skilled in managing complex medical cases, particularly within the Worker’s Compensation system.
Susi earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Master of Science in Nursing with Family Nurse Practitioner credentials from Holy Names University in Oakland. She further advanced her expertise by completing an orthopedics specialty program at Duke University. Her education reflects her commitment to lifelong learning and delivering exceptional patient care.
At Bay Area Hand Surgery Associates Susi coordinates care for Worker’s Compensation patients, facilitates referrals, interprets diagnostics, and administers treatments such as intra-articular injections. Her role also involves liaising with attorneys and adjusters to advocate for patients and navigate appeals for care denials.
Her previous roles include managing chronic pain and migraines at Stanford Health Care’s Neurology Headache Clinic, performing orthopedic evaluations for disability ratings, and caring for hundreds of Worker’s Compensation patients at Integrated Pain Management. Earlier in her career, Susi gained experience in oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and case management at San Francisco Health Plan.
Susi holds multiple certifications, including from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Heart Association. She combines clinical expertise with compassion, empowering patients to improve their health and well-being. Her ability to blend advanced medical knowledge with holistic care makes her a trusted healthcare professional in her community.
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