Mark J Sherman, MD
Dr. Mark Sherman has enjoyed a remarkable career since forming Surgical Associates of La Jolla in 1994 as one of the original partners.
Administrative Excellence: Most recently, he was Chief of Staff of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla (ending Dec 2019), leading the entire nearly 1,000+ physician force through many challenges. Previously, he served as both the Chief of General Surgery as well as Chairman of the entire Department of Surgery. While working six years on the Board of Trustees for Scripps Health (which oversees all Scripps’ hospitals and the Scripps Clinic), he used his unique knowledge to influence and improve healthcare delivery throughout San Diego. He has served as Chairman of XiMED Medical Group, and has taught as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. These tireless efforts have led to his selection by his peers in receiving San Diego’s “Top Doctors” award on multiple occasions.
Educational Excellence: Dr. Sherman received his undergraduate degree with honors from Stanford University where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. After completing medical school at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, he finished his residency at the UCSD Medical Center, where he was Chief Resident in general surgery. A board-certified Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of many professional organizations, including the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), and the Americas Hernia Society, Dr. Sherman is frequently sought for consultation on complex and challenging cases.
Clinical Excellence: In his practice, Dr. Mark Sherman focuses on Advanced Laparoscopy and Surgical Oncology. Providing a comprehensive team approach to Breast Cancer (working hand in hand with Medical and Radiation Oncologists as well as dedicated Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeons) his patients facing a new breast cancer receive complete care that is second to none. Skilled in Endocrine Surgery (Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Adrenal operations) as well as complex, advanced laparoscopic techniques (Colectomy, Appendectomy, Splenectomy, and Hernia repair), he provides a unique skill while treating all of his patients like family. DaVinci Robotic procedures are one of the many tools at his disposal. And his minimally invasive hernia procedures have results that are among the best in the nation. Unique procedures include HIPEC (Hyperthermic IntraPeritoneal Chemotherapy for advanced abdominal malignancies). Patients seeking this therapy receive extensive guidance throughout this complex treatment method. He remains at the forefront of the most advanced techniques and procedures available in order to best meet the needs of his patients.
Dr. Sherman has a reputation as an innovator and leader. His compassionate bedside manner and surgical excellence have made him a most sought after surgeon by his patients and colleagues alike.
Cheryl Olson, MD
Breast & general surgeon, Cheryl Olson, MD, joined Surgical Associates of La Jolla in 1998. While on staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Dr. Olson has been a leader in the community serving in numerous leadership roles and is currently the Governor of the American College of Surgeons, San Diego Chapter. Exemplifying the quality of her care and the utmost respect of her peers, she has been selected as one of “San Diego’s Top doctors” 7 times.
During her medical education, she served a two-year tour aboard the USS Simon Lake during Desert Storm and was an attending surgeon at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. She has a deep commitment to military families and retirees.
Dr. Olson’s expertise and comprehensive cancer care encompasses state-of-the-art procedures for treating breast cancer including in office ultrasound guided biopsy, breast conservation using oncoplastic and “hidden scar” techniques as well as nipple areolar sparing mastectomy coordinated with immediate reconstruction by expert plastic surgeons. She is also one of only two breast surgeons in San Diego offering intraoperative electron radiation therapy(IOERT) to appropriate candidates receiving breast conserving treatment for cancer. All care she provides is highly specialized and tailored to the unique needs of her patients.
Dr. Olson has a special interest in utilizing the most advanced minimally invasive techniques. This includes laparoscopic procedures for cholecystectomy, hernia repair, and removal of portions of the colon. She has expertise in use of the robotic surgery system for the more complex surgical procedures and was the first general surgeon at Scripps to become skilled in the use of the robotic surgical system using it regularly to perform complex colon resections, hiatal hernia repair and incisional hernia repair. In 2012 she was the first surgeon at any Scripps hospital to perform a robotic single incision cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).
The practice of medicine and surgery is her passion. Dr. Olson considers it essential to provide her patients with the highest level of coordinated care for any surgical need. She strives to treat each patient with the compassion and expertise she would want for her own family.
Sam Zuber, MD
Dr Samuel Zuber is a specialty trained endocrine and general surgeon, and is the most recent addition to the premier team at Surgical Associates (2023). He completed his general surgery residency in Morristown, New Jersey followed by a clinical fellowship in endocrine surgery at Northshore University Health System-Cook County in Chicago, Illinois where he gained his expertise in Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal pathologies, with a supplement in Breast surgery. Dr Zuber is certified in Robotic Surgery with a specialty in use of the Da Vinci Xi platform for general and endocrine surgery cases. Certified in Ultrasonography, Dr. Zuber is able to perform in-office ultrasound-guidance procedures including fine needle aspirations (FNAs) of suspicious thyroid nodules, parathyroid localization, and needle aspiration or core needle biopsies of suspicious breast lesions.
Dr Zuber has a strong background and interest in medical research. Over his career, he has published in several journals and presented his work at many conferences, with topics ranging from stem cell therapies to prognostic calculators for thyroid cancer and adrenal cancer. Dr Zuber is dedicated to staying at the forefront of today’s most up to date practices and advancements. He is a candidate member for several surgical societies including the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncologists, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons.
Most importantly, Dr Zuber strives to make a personal connection with each of his patients. He is passionate about helping his patients understand their surgical disease and working with patients for the best strategies moving forward. He recognizes and is grateful for the endless dedication and passion the staff at Surgical Associates of La Jolla and is driven to provide the same high level of care Surgical Associates has been known to provide for more than 30 years.
Emily Muff, PA-C
With more than 12 years of healthcare experience prior to joining Surgical Associates, Emily served 6 years in the Navy where she trained as a Hospital Corpsman specializing in surgical technology. She trained and worked in Navy hospitals and Level 1 Trauma centers in both the US and overseas. She worked side-by-side with military surgeons in multiple specialties, expanding her surgical knowledge. Most notably, she served aboard the USS Kearsarge and USS Bataan as a member of a Fleet Surgical Team that provided at-sea surgical and critical care to fellow service members and refugees.
Emily’s time as a surgical technologist privileged her with irreplaceable years of experience and hands-on education that translated seamlessly into her PA education. As a PA student through Yale’s PA Online program, she trained directly under Dr. Sherman and Dr. Olson expanding her healthcare knowledge and continually providing care equivalent to the best medical practitioners. Immediately upon graduating from Yale’s PA Online Program, she joined Surgical Associates of La Jolla in 2023, where she is recognized as providing truly compassionate and personalized patient care.
What is a PA?
PAs (physician assistants/physician associates) are board-certified licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every medical setting. Trained and educated at the master’s degree level, PAs help expand access to healthcare through a team-based practice.