UCSF Fresno’s success and growth are a direct result of the dedication and inspiration of our faculty, staff, residents, fellows, students, alumni, partners, donors and friends. In each issue of Focus, we introduce you to the people who contribute to the greatness of UCSF Fresno through informal interviews.
In this issue, we feature Dimitris A. Sakellariou, MBA, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at the UCSF School of Medicine Regional Campus at Fresno.
Mr. Sakellariou joined UCSF Fresno on Aug. 18, 2025. He has more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education and academic medicine. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer at the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He previously held a series of progressive leadership roles at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), including Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Operations and Chief Business Administrator.
What is your hometown? Where did you go to High School? Undergrad? Graduate school?
I was born in Athens, Greece, where I attended Athens College, a Greek- American high school. I attended ETH Zurich for my degree in Engineering. I then came to the U.S. and attended the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where I received an MS degree in Electrical Engineering as well as an MBA from the University of Southern California. I fell in love with California and never left.
Why did you choose UCSF Fresno and why did your current position appeal to you?
Over the past 25+ years working at Caltech and USC, I have been very fortunate to work in administrative operations across multiple areas, including Student Affairs, IT, Athletics, Auxiliaries, Academic Affairs, Research Administration, and Academic Health Education. I really enjoy working across diverse areas, and this position certainly allows me to deploy my entire skillset to support UCSF Fresno's mission.
What has your experience been like at UCSF Fresno so far?
I am impressed by the skill with which everyone here wears their multiple hats. I'm also very quickly learning how close-knit this community is and how much they all care about supporting the mission. My family and I feel very welcome in Fresno.
What plans do you have as Chief Administrative Officer at UCSF Fresno?
I look forward to contributing to the team here in Fresno and supporting Vice Dean Jose M. Barral Sanchez’s vision of training and retaining more physicians in the San Joaquin Valley. We have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive change, and I'm thrilled to be part of the team.
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job so far?
I really enjoy tackling different challenges and opportunities from various angles. As mentioned, this CAO role requires me to look at every situation differently and make the best decisions possible. I enjoy watching team members learn, grow, and be successful.
What is at the top of your professional to-do list right now? What is at the top of your personal to-do list?
My goal is to get up to speed quickly and to strengthen relationships with our current partners: Community Health System, our primary clinical partner, as well as with Inspire Health Medical Group, VA Fresno, United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley, and our many other valued partners. I also look forward to new collaborations. These partnerships are the foundation for our continued mutual success, along with a strong working relationship with our colleagues in San Francisco and UC Merced.
Personally, my family and I are looking forward to exploring the many culinary and nature sites around the area. Fresno is truly a hidden gem: there is so much to do within a relatively short distance. Thanks to everyone's recommendations, our list is already quite long.
If they were to make a movie about your life, what actor would you like to play you? And why?
I would choose Telly Savalas, both because of our mutual Greek heritage and because he was not only funny and follicle-challenged but also tough yet compassionate.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I spent the first part of my career in IT, so together with my engineering mindset, I'm always looking for the best way to leverage technology to be more efficient and to make life easier. As they say, engineers help you solve problems you didn’t know you had.
