Rachel Ruskin, M.D.
Associate Clinical Professor
To see if Rachel Ruskin is accepting new patients, or for assistance finding a UC Davis doctor, please call 800-2-UCDAVIS (800-282-3284).
Specialties
Gynecologic Cancer
Gynecology Oncology
Palliative Medicine
Robotic Surgery
Surgery - Robotic
Department
Locations and Contact
Additional Numbers
Physician Referrals
Philosophy of Care
Dr. Ruskin believes that cancer happens not only to an individual, but also to her family and friends. As a result, she and her colleagues strive to support patients and their loved ones physically, emotionally, and spiritually as they face the stress of a gynecologic cancer diagnosis.
Clinical Interests
As a gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Rachel Ruskin provides specialized care for women with ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. She personalizes each patient’s treatment plan through a variety of surgical approaches, chemotherapy regimens, and targeted agents.
Utilizing her training in palliative medicine, she seeks to optimize quality of life for her patients during and after their cancer treatment and to ensure that the plan of care is in line with each woman’s values and goals.
Research/Academic Interests
Dr. Ruskin’s research interests lie at the intersection of gynecologic oncology and palliative care. Specifically, her interests include improving symptom assessment and management as well as increasing shared decision-making between women with gynecologic malignancies and their physicians.
Division
Gynecologic Oncology
Center/Program Affiliation
Undergraduate School
A.B., Harvard University, Cambridge MA 2000
Medical School
M.D., UC San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco CA 2009
Residency
Obstetrics/Gynecology, UC San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco CA 2009-2013
Fellowship
Hospice and Palliative Care, UC San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco CA 2013-2014
Fellowship
Gynecologic Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City OK 2014-2017
Faculty Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching Medical Students, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine 2015, 2016, 2017
Outstanding Resident Award in Medical Student Teaching, UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences 2009-2011, 2012, 2013
Crim A, Rowland M, Ruskin R, Dvorak J, Greenwade M, Walter A, Gillen J, Ding K, Moore K, Gunderson C. Evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity profile associated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy use in older women. Gynecol Oncol. 2017 Aug;146(2):268-272. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.05.032. Epub 2017 Jun 2. PMID:28583323.
Gillen J, Gunderson C, Greenwade M, Rowland M, Ruskin R, Ding K, Crim A, Walter A, White E, Moore K. Contribution of age to clinical trial enrollment and tolerance with ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2017 Apr;145(1):32-36. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2016.12.023. Epub 2017 Jan 10. PMID:28087143.
Gunderson CC, Walter AC, Ruskin R, Ding K, Moore KN. Post-intensive care unit syndrome in gynecologic oncology patients. Support Care Cancer. 2016 Nov;24(11):4627-32. doi:10.1007/s00520-016-3305-0. Epub 2016 Jun 15. PMID:27306212.
Srivastava A, Babu A, Filant J, Moxley KM, Ruskin R, Dhanasekaran D, Sood AK, McMeekin S, Ramesh R. Exploitation of Exosomes as Nanocarriers for Gene-, Chemo-, and Immune-Therapy of Cancer. J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2016 Jun;12(6):1159-73. doi:10.1166/jbn.2016.2205. PMID:27319211.
Lefkowits C, Teuteberg W, Courtney-Brooks M, Sukumvanich P, Ruskin R, Kelley JL. Improvement in symptom burden within one day after palliative care consultation in a cohort of gynecologic oncology inpatients. Gynecol Oncol. 2015 Mar;136(3):424-8. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.12.030. Epub 2014 Dec 26. PMID:25546112.
Lefkowits C, W Rabow M, E Sherman A, K Kiet T, Ruskin R, Chan JK, Chen LM. Predictors of high symptom burden in gynecologic oncology outpatients: who should be referred to outpatient palliative care? Gynecol Oncol. 2014 Mar;132(3):698-702. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2014.01.038. Epub 2014 Jan 25. PMID:24472408.
Ruskin R, Urban RR, Sherman AE, Chen LL, Powell CB, Burkhardt DH 3rd, Chen LM. Predictors of intensive care unit utilization in gynecologic oncology surgery. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2011 Nov;21(8):1336-42. doi:10.1097/IGC.0b013e31822d0ed0. PMID:21897266.