About
Stephen A. Hilty, MD brings more than two decades of internal medicine experience to his San Luis Obispo practice. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in Biology from Occidental College in Los Angeles in 1990. He then earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School in 1995, receiving both the Dean's Medal and the Upjohn Achievement Award. He completed his internship and residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, earning the Jeffrey Weingarten Award upon completing his residency in 1998. He holds certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Hilty served as Chief of Medicine at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center from 2002 to 2004. He served on the hospital's End-of-Life Care Pathway committee from 2006 to 2010. He has served on the Hearst Cancer Resource Center Advisory Board since 2008. He belongs to the American College of Physicians, the California Medical Society, and the San Luis Obispo County Medical Society Association. His approach centers on attentive listening, patient education, and building long-term relationships. He commits to staying current with medical advances so he can apply the best of modern medicine to each patient's care. Outside the office, he enjoys tennis, backpacking, and hiking.
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA — Bachelor of Arts, Biology, Magna Cum Laude, 1990
Medical School
Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH — Doctorate of Medicine, 1995
Residency
University of California, San Francisco Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program (Internship 1995-1996; Residency 1996-1998)
Certifications
Who is Dr. Hilty right for?
Dr. Hilty is a strong fit for adults seeking a long-term primary care relationship with a seasoned internist. Patients managing chronic conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes benefit from his proactive, prevention-focused approach. He works well with patients who value direct access to their physician and want thorough, unhurried appointments. Those who want the same doctor at every visit, rather than rotating staff, will find his practice a natural match.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Hilty specializes in internal medicine with a strong emphasis on prevention and chronic disease management. He focuses on conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. His approach pairs comprehensive screenings with a personalized wellness plan for each patient.
Yes. Dr. Hilty holds certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. He also holds certification from the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Dr. Hilty earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Dartmouth Medical School in 1995. He completed both his internship and residency in Primary Care Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. UCSF recognized him with the Jeffrey Weingarten Award at the completion of his residency in 1998.
Dr. Hilty centers his care on attentive listening and personalized health education. He takes time to understand each patient's unique history, goals, and concerns. He then works with patients as partners to identify the best path forward for their health. He also stays current with medical advances to bring the most relevant treatments to his patients.
Yes. Dr. Hilty sees every patient at every office visit. The practice does not route patients to nurse practitioners or physician assistants.
Dr. Hilty holds affiliations with French Hospital Medical Center and Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in the San Luis Obispo area. He previously served as Chief of Medicine at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center from 2002 to 2004.
Dr. Hilty received several honors during his training. These include the Dartmouth Dean's Medal, the Upjohn Achievement Award, membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and the Jeffrey Weingarten Award from UCSF's Internal Medicine Residency Program. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College and holds Phi Beta Kappa membership.
Yes. Dr. Hilty actively helps patients connect with appropriate specialists when their needs go beyond primary care. MDVIP also gives him access to specialists at leading medical institutions for patients who require care beyond what is available locally.
Doctor profile last updated June 6, 2026