UCI Health

04/02/2026

UCI Health and the Anaheim Ducks celebrated Health & Wellness Night this week at the Honda Center, where UCI Health co-workers held a health fair at the Puck Drop patio.

The evening's Community Spotlight honorees were Xenia and Nadia Morales and their nephrologist Dr. Uttam Reddy, medical director of the UCI Health Kidney Transplant Program. He has managed their care since one of Nadia's kidneys was transplanted into Xenia to save her life in 2014.

The Ducks also paid tribute to Kyle Hansen, a UCI Health emergency registered nurse and Marine Corps veteran, in a ‘Salute to Those Who Serve,’ while other UCI Health co-workers rode Zambonis onto the rink during intermissions. UCI Health kidney transplant surgeons Dr. Robert Redfield and Dr. Christina M. Papageorge were also interviewed about the need for living donors like Nadia Morales to save the lives of more than 700 UCI Health patients awaiting a kidney transplant.

Thank you to the Anaheim Ducks and Honda Center for their continued support and to all who came out for Health & Wellness Night!

04/02/2026

Some things are just better with a partner. Might that be true for colonoscopies, too?

UCI Health anesthesiologist Dr. Cameron Ricks and his wife, Michelle Malchiodi, recently discovered it could be after they scheduled their first screening together out of convenience.

“We figured we may as well go through the prep together,” Malchiodi says. “There were a lot of laughs that night!”

Click the link to learn more https://bit.ly/47xtspN.

03/30/2026

Pastry chef Jorge Sotelo is glad he insisted on the colonoscopy that caught his colorectal cancer at an early, treatable stage. Now he and his surgeon, Dr. Valery Vilchez Parra, are taking to the airwaves to raise awareness among Spanish-language communities about the need for regular screening.

“That’s how you beat this disease — by catching things early before they turn cancerous,” Sotelo says. "When I was first diagnosed, I shared that with my brothers, my friends at church, my colleagues at [work], and they went to get their colonoscopies right away.”

Both patient and surgeon also shared his story on the “Shoboy Show,” the popular radio program created and hosted by his brother Edgar Sotelo. “Being a voice for an underserved Spanish-speaking population is so important,” Vilchez Parra says.

Read more at https://bit.ly/3PD9Vhs

03/29/2026

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and preventable cancers in the United States — and early detection can save lives. At UCI Health, the only academic health system in Orange County, we offer colorectal cancer clinical trials that bring leading-edge research directly to our patients.

With compassionate care and innovative treatments, we’re working to improve outcomes and create new hope for those affected by colorectal cancer.

Learn more about these clinical trials today at https://bit.ly/4bwYW1H

03/28/2026

The UCI Health Van Cave recently rolled out for UCI Homecoming and screened dozens of community members for prostate cancer.

The Van Cave is the first mobile prostate cancer screening unit of its kind. This innovative program will expand access to life-saving screenings and help transform men’s health across Orange County.

Keep an eye out for the Van Cave in your community as we drive to improve men’s health. Learn more about the UCI Health Center for Urological Care at https://bit.ly/4solqb5

03/28/2026

Most colorectal cancer cases start with little to no symptoms. That’s why early detection matters.

During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, hear from experts Dr. Jaehyun Kim and Dr. Catherine Zhu as they break down warning signs, when to get screened, what to expect during a colonoscopy and how advanced robotic surgery is changing care.

Watch the full video podcast now at ucihealth.org/podcast.

03/27/2026

Robert Cavazos is attending Lakers games after treatment by UCI Health neurosurgeon Dr. Michelle Paff drastically reduced hand tremors that had plagued him for decades. The focused ultrasound procedure "saved my life,” he says.

“My family is tickled pink that I have responded so well. I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Paff, the nurses and techs for their wonderful care.”

Read more at

03/27/2026

Heart disease and stroke continue to impact millions of lives each year — including those in our own community. Together, we have the power to take steps toward better prevention, treatment and care.

Join the UCI Health team at the 2026 Orange County Heart & Stroke Walk on April 11 at Angel Stadium and be part of something bigger than yourself.

Sign up to join our team at https://bit.ly/4v9xT4m

03/25/2026

Learn about vision changes and long-term prevention strategies for age-related macular degeneration with UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute experts Andrew Browne, MD, PhD and Stephanie Lu, MD.

April 7 | 7–8 p.m.

Register today https://bit.ly/4jUChPd

03/24/2026

Celebrate a decade of fighting cancer at the 10th annual UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge on Saturday, Oct. 10. Ride, run or walk to fund innovative research at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Learn more at anti-cancerchallenge.org

Help support UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge today!

03/23/2026

1 in 300 people carry Lynch syndrome — yet most don’t know it.

This inherited condition significantly increases the risk for colorectal and several other cancers. The good news? With awareness, genetic testing and regular screenings, many of these cancers can be prevented or caught early.

UCI Health gastroenterologist Dr. William E. Karnes is working to change that, starting with education and early detection.

Learn more about Lynch syndrome and why knowing your family history matters.
https://bit.ly/3SxmacI