UC Davis Health

Dairy milk tested positive for bird flu. Experts from the UC Davis School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine explain what the tests can—and can’t—tell us about the safety of the U.S. milk supply, and why more tests are needed: https://lnkd.in/g3xHkvt3

We are excited to share that Chad Hatfield, PharmD, MHA, BCPS, our chief pharmacy officer, was named one of "75 hospital and health system chief pharmacy officers to know" by Becker's Healthcare! As chief pharmacy officer, Dr. Hatfield oversees 13 pharmacies, acute and ambulatory clinical services, 39 pharmacy residents and 500 support staff. "It is an honor to be recognized by Becker’s Healthcare and to be included in their prestigious Chief Pharmacy Officer to Know list," said Hatfield. "This acknowledgment reflects the dedication and hard work of our talented Pharmacy team, who consistently prioritize patient care and maintain a patient-first mentality. I am privileged to work alongside this team that strives to deliver tomorrow’s health care, today." Congratulations! Explore the entire list: https://lnkd.in/gPhY2Q_F

One of the most effective ways to fill physician workforce shortages in California’s Central Valley is to encourage students from that region to study medicine. And that’s exactly what happened this week when 18 students from Atwater and Livingston high schools, in Merced County, visited our School of Medicine in Sacramento. The students got some valuable BTS of medical school. They listened attentively as a representative from the admissions office explained how to improve their chances of getting into a school that accepts fewer than 3% of its applicants. They learned about an academic program that guides community college students into medical school. They practiced life-saving techniques on manikins. They received encouragement and tips from medical students who explained how they beat the odds and made it to UC Davis. Livingston High senior Pablo Zurita said the field trip “brings you to the reality of what med school is like.” He wants to be a family medicine physician. “Livingston’s a pretty small community and sometimes there aren’t that many doctors,” he said. “Most of the people who live there work in agriculture, and my parents, they work in agriculture, and I want to help people like my parents.” Learn more about the experience: https://lnkd.in/gaCwGqNX

For #AutismAcceptanceMonth, the MIND Institute put together a perceptive video on autistic individuals and parents of children with autism sharing what they wish people knew about autism and how they feel about autism in their own words.    "What do I wish people knew about autism? I think it should be celebrated. Yes, it's being different, but every person is different," explained Patrick Hugunin, a parent of an autistic child. "You have the same goals for your child."   Watch the full video here:

We are excited to share that Kelly Haas, associate clinical professor of pediatrics and a pediatric gastroenterologist, received the 2024 Eli Gold Prize this month! Haas was nominated by Arthur de Lorimier, division chief of pediatric gastroenterology, for her clinical care and innovation, teaching, community service and research activities. “Since joining UC Davis, Dr. Haas has taken on multiple clinical roles including her regular outpatient clinic at the Glassrock Building, a satellite clinic in Carmichael and her regular participation on the inpatient service,” said de Lorimier. “One of her crowning clinical achievements has been creating a full-service intestinal rehabilitation program.” He also noted that Haas has been an excellent clinician educator at the bedside during inpatient rounds and in the outpatient setting. Haas also serves as associate program director for the pediatric residency program. Haas consistently receives excellent ratings from residents and medical students for her teaching efforts. Haas serves on several committees and advisory boards. In addition, shehas updated and rewritten several hospital protocols that cover total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for children, gastrostomy feeding for children and long-term management of patients with short bowel syndrome. The Eli Gold Prize is open to any junior faculty member in the UC Davis Department of Pediatrics who has achieved prominence in clinical, teaching, research and/or community service. Well done, Dr. Haas!

Happy #EarthDay! Here are a few ways we're working to improve our carbon footprint and reduce our environmental impact: 1. Our health campus is home to 145 kilowatts of solar power on one of our parking structures. We plan to add 640 kilowatts to our new Folsom Medical Office, which includes 558 kilowatts hours of battery storage. 2. Signs are placed throughout our campus, reminding everyone of our smoke-free policy. Clean air means a healthy environment for everyone. 3. Our medical center has five secured bike shelters, with three more locations available this year! Learn more about our sustainability efforts: https://lnkd.in/gvVfZ67i

Congratulations to University of California, Davis - School of Medicine professors Andreas Bäumler, Emanual Maverakis, M.D., Luis Fernando Santana and Rene Tsolis for being elected as 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellows! This is a very prestigious recognition of leadership and innovation in their respective science fields. “Congratulations to all the 2023 AAAS fellows for this prestigious recognition of their leadership in their research fields,” said UC Davis School of Medicine Interim Dean Susan Murin. “That we have four new UC Davis School of Medicine AAAS fellows this year underscores our role as a national leader and groundbreaking research community with a mission to improve health worldwide.” Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gHrCAwFr

Amid the growing need for patients to relieve pain, medical students in the U.S. have limited training in pain management and prescribing opioids. To address this gap, our school of medicine has re-examined its approach to teaching pain management by integrating a new pain curriculum throughout its educational program. Naileshni Singh, professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine, explained, “We decided to expand the curriculum at UC Davis School of Medicine to include more education on pain management to better prepare tomorrow’s doctors for the growing need to treat pain and address the opioid epidemic.” Read more about what we're doing here: https://lnkd.in/gGSYrBFz

Surprises caught on camera.   Four employees at UC Davis Health were recently asked to read thank-you letters in front of a camera. What they didn’t know is that the heartfelt messages were for them -- and they were about to be surprised by the letter writers in person. Watch as they open their letters on camera, and the emotional surprises that follow.   We believe every person deserves access to health care and to be well. We believe in delivering tomorrow’s health care today, with kindness, trust, and inclusion. We believe in pushing forward — to find the next cure, to solve the next problem. At UC Davis Health, we #BelieveinBetter.

Pediatric general surgeon Payam Saadai directs the pediatric robotic-assisted surgery program, which is now available at the UC Davis Children’s Surgery Center. For the past year, he worked with the adult robotic surgery team to expand this minimally invasive approach to pediatric patients in the Sacramento region. Now he trains pediatric surgeons to use the robot. We asked him some questions about the program, its potential and where he sees the future of robotic-assisted surgery: https://lnkd.in/gbJDa4WN