Dr. Adrian W. Gelb, MBChB, DA, FRCPC, FRCA

Adrian W. Gelb, MBChB, DA, FRCPC, FRCA is an anesthesiologist based at University of California, San Francisco in San Francisco, California, recognised internationally for work in neuroanesthesia and global patient safety. He holds the position of Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care.

His principal interests are anesthesia for neurosurgery and cerebral aneurysm surgery, cerebral protection and neurologic outcomes and international standards for safe anesthesia practice. Among the honours held by Dr. Adrian Gelb is the Gold Medal, Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society.

Anesthesiologists are physicians who keep patients safe, comfortable and stable before, during and after surgery or another procedure. Within that specialty, Dr. Adrian Gelb is best known for neuroanesthesia and global patient safety.

Dr. Adrian Gelb Professional Snapshot

Full Name And Credentials: Adrian W. Gelb, MBChB, DA, FRCPC, FRCA
Specialty: Anesthesiology
Subspecialty Focus: Neuroanesthesia and global patient safety
Current Position: Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
Institution: University of California, San Francisco
Location: San Francisco, California

Dr. Adrian Gelb Degrees, Residency And Fellowships

The training record below is drawn from the institutional and society sources listed at the end of this profile.

Medical Degree: MBChB, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Residency: Anaesthesia training in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States
Specialist Certification: Diploma in Anaesthesia; Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists

Clinical Focus Of Dr. Adrian Gelb

Published professional sources describe the clinical and academic work of Dr. Adrian Gelb as centred on:

Anesthesia for neurosurgery and cerebral aneurysm surgery
Cerebral protection and neurologic outcomes
International standards for safe anesthesia practice
Global anesthesia workforce and capnography access
Medication error reduction

Academic Leadership Of Dr. Adrian Gelb

Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, UCSF, since 2015
Former Vice Chair, UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, 2004 to 2011
Past President, World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists, 2020 to 2022
Former Professor and Chair of Anesthesia at Western University, Canada, and Professor of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, 1994 to 2004
Led the revision of the WFSA and World Health Organization International Standards for a Safe Practice of Anesthesia
Editor of five books, including Essentials of Neuroanesthesia and Neurointensive Care
Section Editor for Neuroanesthesia and Neuroscience, Anesthesia and Analgesia

Professional Recognition Of Dr. Adrian Gelb

Gold Medal, Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society
Award for Humanitarian Contributions, American Society of Anesthesiologists
ASA and APSF Ellison C. Pierce Patient Safety Memorial Lecturer, 2025
Harold Griffith Lecturer, World Congress of Anaesthesiologists 2026
Outstanding Contributions to the Development of Anesthesia in China, Chinese Society of Anesthesiology, 2009
Honorary Professor at Peking Union Medical College and at Banaras Hindu University
More than 400 publications, over 400 invited lectures and 19 named lectureships, with an h-index of about 71

Hospital And Institutional Affiliation Of Dr. Adrian Gelb

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its departments and preoperative services. Confirm the current street address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

Understanding Neuroanesthesia

Global anaesthesia work addresses the fact that billions of people lack access to safe surgery and anaesthesia. It combines training programmes, essential equipment such as pulse oximeters and capnographs, and internationally agreed minimum standards, so that a safe operation does not depend on where a patient happens to live.

Doctors Working Alongside Dr. Adrian Gelb In This Field

If you are comparing specialists, these anesthesiologists work in closely related areas:

Dr. Angela Enright, global anesthesia safety at University of British Columbia and Royal Jubilee Hospital
Dr. Jannicke Mellin-Olsen, global anesthesia safety at Baerum Hospital, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine
Dr. David Gaba, simulation and patient safety at Stanford University School of Medicine and VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Dr. Mark Warner, perioperative medicine and safety at Mayo Clinic, Rochester

Browse the full anesthesiologist directory for more specialists.

Referrals, Appointments And Coverage For Dr. Adrian Gelb

Anesthesiologists are usually brought into a patient’s care by a surgeon, a hospital preoperative clinic or a pain service rather than through direct booking. Insurance participation varies by hospital and by plan, and it changes over time. Check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling, and ask whether the named anesthesiologist will personally be involved in your care.

Quick Answers About Dr. Adrian Gelb

What does Dr. Adrian Gelb specialise in?

Dr. Adrian Gelb is an anesthesiologist whose work centres on neuroanesthesia and global patient safety. Particular areas of focus include anesthesia for neurosurgery and cerebral aneurysm surgery and cerebral protection and neurologic outcomes.

Where does Dr. Adrian Gelb practise?

Dr. Adrian Gelb is based at University of California, San Francisco in San Francisco, California.

Where did Dr. Adrian Gelb go to medical school?

MBChB, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Full training details appear in the education section above.

What are the qualifications of Dr. Adrian Gelb?

Adrian W. Gelb, MBChB, DA, FRCPC, FRCA. Specialist training in Anaesthesia training in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Diploma in Anaesthesia; Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Is Dr. Adrian Gelb board certified?

Diploma in Anaesthesia; Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. Patients and referring clinicians should confirm current licensure and certification status directly with the relevant medical board or hospital.

What position does Dr. Adrian Gelb hold?

Dr. Adrian Gelb is Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, based at University of California, San Francisco.

Sources Used For This Profile Of Dr. Adrian Gelb

Accuracy And Review Of This Dr. Adrian Gelb Profile

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including institutional faculty pages, hospital provider directories and specialty society records. Credentials, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

Medical Information Notice For Dr. Adrian Gelb

Information only, not medical advice. Location, specialty, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with University of California, San Francisco.