Leah Witt

Dr. Leah Witt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine. She serves as the Pulmonary Associate Chief for Ambulatory Affairs since 2021 and a Fellowship Coach for the Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Fellowship Program at UCSF since 2022. Her roles emphasize clinical care, education, and translational research at the intersection of geriatrics and pulmonary medicine.

Education and Training:

• B.A. in Anthropology and Global Health (Northwestern University, 2007)
• M.D. (University of Minnesota Medical School, 2011)
• Internal Medicine Residency (University of Chicago, 2014)
• Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship (University of Chicago, 2017)
• Geriatrics Fellowship (UCSF, 2018)
• Completed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training (UCSF)

Research interests focus on geriatric care for older adults with chronic lung diseases, including COPD and interstitial lung disease. She explores metabolic pathways in pulmonary fibrosis, frailty biomarkers, and interprofessional education strategies. Her work highlights aging-related respiratory comorbidities and the integration of geriatric principles into pulmonary medicine.

Her recent articles address COPD management, metabolic mechanisms in lung fibroblasts, and ethical healthcare rationing. These publications reflect her dual expertise in clinical practice and geriatric research. Awards include the HRSA Geriatric Academic Career Award (2019–2023), UCSF Geriatrics Teacher of the Year (2022), and induction into the Academy for Medical Educators (2024).

Dr. Witt’s advising and grant activities include leading the HRSA-funded project on interprofessional geriatrics education. She collaborates with teams in pulmonary medicine, critical care, and geriatrics. Her professional service includes roles in academic senate committees and clinical trial oversight.

Labs/Teams: Active member of UCSF’s Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine and Geriatrics teams. Collaborates with interdisciplinary groups focused on aging-related respiratory diseases and palliative care co-management strategies.