Dr. Sarah Cairo is a pediatric surgeon with training in minimally invasive procedures for newborns and children. She is interested in improving access to care for pediatric patients with complex colorectal diseases and creating teams to meet their needs. She is part of the UCSF Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia.

Cairo's research focuses on improving access – both domestically and internationally – to general medical care and surgery as well as improving the quality of these. She also studies transitions in care for kids who need surgery. She has received grants for her work in surgical education and global health, specifically for examining pediatric surgical capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cairo earned her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine. At Tufts, she also earned a master of public health degree that focused on infection control and sexual health in the criminal justice system and on human trafficking and women's health. She completed a residency in general surgery at Maine Medical Center and a fellowship in pediatric surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Cairo has worked with several international groups, including the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery and the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children.