UC Davis Health

04/06/2026

"The future of our region’s access to health care advances depends upon keeping our systems strong. As Sacramento continues to grow, so must our ability to make discoveries that shape a healthier future," said Chancellor May in a recent op-ed in the Sacramento Business Journal.

As the Sacramento region grows rapidly, so does the demand for high-quality health care. We are proud to be at the cutting edge of academic medical center research to provide high-quality, specialized care to our patients. However, as Chancellor May says, we can't bring those innovations to our community without protecting the federal funding that makes them possible.



Read his full op-ed: https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2026/04/03/another-voice-gary-may-uc-davis-research-funding.html

Image description: Chancellor Gary May speaks at a podium during the Aggie Square ribbon-cutting ceremony. He is smiling and wearing a green suit, with another person behind him. Aggie Square branding and greenery are visible in the background.

04/03/2026

In our fast-growing region, we can only bring medical discovery powered by UC Davis to our community when we protect the federal funding that makes it possible.

With my latest op-ed in the Sacramento Business Journal, I write how reductions in federally funded research will affect patients' ability to access specialized services, reduce clinical trials and slow the research that leads to innovations in major diseases. As Sacramento continues to grow, so must our ability to make discoveries that shape a healthier future.

It’s critical that we speak up for academic medical center research like that at UC Davis Health that turns into clinical applications and serves our community.

https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2026/04/03/another-voice-gary-may-uc-davis-research-funding.html

Image description: An aerial shot shows the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

04/03/2026

We are proud that the first few months of 2026 have been filled with so many DAISY Awards for our staff! 🌼

Congratulations to all who have received DAISYs this past year.
 
Image descriptions:
1: Minali Patel, BSN, RN, from East 5 Neuroscience, stands in a hallway holding a framed certificate for a DAISY Award. Behind them is a tall banner that reads “Congratulations” with a large daisy graphic.
 
2: Wendy Braccio, MSN, RN, stands with a loved one, wearing a patterned blouse and holds a DAISY Award certificate. Behind her is a banner with daisies that says “Congratulations.”
 
3: Sue Won, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, stands in the center between Dr. Diana Farmer (right) and Chief Administrative Officer, Dept. of Dermatology, Benson Won, in front of a banner that reads “Congratulations” and has two white and yellow daisy graphics.
 
4: Peter Lindbeck, BSN, RN, CCRN, in the SICU, in scrubs, stands in front of a “Congratulations” banner and holds a framed DAISY Award certificate.
 
5: Emily Karp, BSN, RN, MS-BC, from Tower 4, smiles and holds a framed certificate for a DAISY Award. Behind Emily is a tall banner that reads “Congratulations” with two large daisy graphics.
 
6: Melissa Hamm, BSN, RN, TCTCN, smiles and poses with loved ones in front of a tall banner that reads “Congratulations” with two large daisy graphics.
 
7: Deborah Small, B.S.N, R.N., CRNI, VA-BC, OCN, stands in blue scrubs that say “UC Davis Health” while holding a DAISY Award certificate. Behind her is a banner with daisies that says “Congratulations.”
 
8: Jennifer Owens, MSN, CPNP, CNS, in teal scrubs, stands at the center of a small group of colleagues in a hospital hallway, holding a framed DAISY Award certificate. The group smiles toward the camera, with a congratulatory DAISY Award banner behind them.

04/02/2026

It's been nearly a year since Aggie Square held its formal inauguration, and the innovation district is already making a strong impact on the community.

UC Davis, the City of Sacramento, Government and Wexford Science & Technology today released the inaugural Aggie Square Community Benefits Partnership Agreement (CBPA) Annual Progress Report, highlighting early outcomes and investments tied to the development of the Aggie Square innovation district.

“Aggie Square represents a unique model for how cities, universities and private partners can work together to expand opportunity,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty.

Over the past year, the initiative committed $74 million to deliver about 1,500 affordable housing units, invested $10 million in anti-displacement efforts, hosted more than 350 events serving 13,500 attendees, provided nearly $800,000 in community space access, supported workforce programs with 230 enrollments and over 80 job placements, and launched the NextGen Bio workforce program serving 45 students and nine educators.

We are proud to be a part of a partnership that is delivering meaningful, community‑driven impact in Sacramento! UC Davis School of Medicine

Learn more about Aggie Square's impact in the community: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/aggie-square-partners-release-first-community-benefits-progress-report-highlighting-early

Image descriptions:
1: Aggie Square, a modern multi-story building with glass and metal exterior, stands on a sunny corner with trees, sidewalks, and people walking nearby under a blue sky. The building features reflective windows and brick at street level.
2: The lobby of Aggie Square features a bright, open space with polished concrete floors, wood-paneled ceilings and a large colorful mural of a rose behind the reception desk labeled “300 Aggie Square.” People walk through the lobby.
3: A busy lobby at Aggie Square with people gathered for an event, walking, talking and moving through the open space.

04/02/2026

Social media and teen mental health are major concerns for parents today. Pediatrician Dr. Lena van der List explains what research shows about excessive social media use and its link to negative mental health outcomes in teens, along with guidance on when kids should start using social platforms.

Dr. van der List shares why many experts recommend waiting until at least age 16 for social media, and how parental involvement plays a key role once teens begin using it. Learn how setting boundaries, modeling healthy screen habits and having open conversations about digital safety and media use can support your child’s well-being in today’s digital world.

Video description: Dr. van der List stands in front of a light blue background. Images include a collection of phone screens with various content, a depressed teen looking at her phone, and young teens staring at their phones.

Teen Mental Health | Social Media Safety | Kids Mental Health | Digital Parenting

04/01/2026

We're excited to share that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded us a $15.85 million grant to support the next phase of one of the nation’s most extensive studies on brain aging in Hispanic-Latino communities.

Latinos have a higher risk of heart and vascular diseases and are more prone to developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia than people from other groups. Still, Latinos remain underrepresented in research on aging and dementia.

The grant will support the creation of the most comprehensive long-term dataset on Hispanic and Latino brain aging to date.

“Our goal is to identify the factors that matter most for healthy cognitive aging — and ultimately reduce the burden of dementia for millions of families. Our new study will give us an unprecedented ability to understand how the brain changes over time in Latino communities,” said Charles DeCarli, UC Davis distinguished professor of neurology and the study’s principal investigator. DeCarli is also the co-director of the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Learn more about the new NIH grant and study:

The NIH has awarded neurologist and dementia expert Charles DeCarli a $15.85 million grant to support one of the nation’s most extensive studies on brain aging in Hispanic-Latino communities.

03/31/2026

Eggcellent news! Our mother peregrine falcon has laid her first egg after the pair returned to the nest about two months ago.

Based on the nest camera footage, the event occurred quietly and without fanfare. When the sun set Monday evening, the nest was still empty. By the time dawn broke Tuesday morning, a single egg had appeared, transforming a season of uncertainty into one of renewed anticipation.

The falcons have been closely monitoring the egg all morning. Baby chicks usually emerge from their shells in late April!

Tune in to the livestream for round-the-clock falcon updates: https://health.ucdavis.edu/welcome/peregrine-falcon/

Image description: A peregrine falcon is perched inside a white nest box on a high ledge of UC Davis Health. The falcon is standing over a newly laid egg. The nest box has a sign that reads “UC Davis Health Peregrine Falcons Est. 2016,” and the view beyond the railing shows the city and trees far below. The EarthCam logo appears in the lower right corner.

03/30/2026

Medical social workers are the quiet problem-solvers who help patients navigate challenges that are not always visible. A few of our social workers take you through a typical day on the job.

As we honor , we’re thankful for our social workers who connect patients with the best support and resources every day.

Video description: Several people speak directly to the camera, each holding a small black microphone. Text on screen reads “What a typical day looks like for social workers in the... Children’s Hospital, Emergency Department, Adult Neurology Department.” Individually, they answer the question either outdoors or beside their cubicle. Many wear clothing that says UC Davis Health Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

03/30/2026

“I never had a single warning sign and had no idea I was at high risk. If it weren’t for that remote monitoring program, who knows what would have happened?”

Dennis Backer joined our Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) program for high blood pressure at his primary care physician's recommendation. The program allows our team to monitor patients' blood pressure from home to catch any problems early.

Without any symptoms, Dennis' routine blood pressure checks revealed a dangerously low heart rate. Our team acted quickly and sent him to the emergency department, leading to a lifesaving pacemaker.

Learn how early intervention made the difference in Dennis' life: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/remote-monitoring-catches-a-hidden-heart-problem-just-in-time/2026/03

Image descriptions:
1: Dennis Backer sits in a clinic room wearing a red shirt while a health care professional stands nearby holding a tablet. The professional appears to be recording information while the seated person rests against the chair.
2: Dennis Backer, in a red shirt, sits in a clinic chair with a blood pressure cuff on one arm while a medical device records their vitals in the foreground.

03/27/2026

Happy National to our dedicated team of doctors, fellows and residents!

Thank you to our physicians across UC Davis Health who exemplify the highest standards of patient-centered care. Each day, they navigate the complexities of modern medicine, advance clinical practice and research, and ensure that all patients receive thoughtful, high-quality care.

Image descriptions:
1: Two individuals wearing medical scrubs stand side by side, holding a beverage cup. One person has a stethoscope around the neck and a face mask pulled down below the chin. Behind them, a barista works at a counter.
2: A group of seven individuals stands behind a UC Davis Health-branded appreciation table. The table is stocked with snacks, drinks, and small giveaway items. One person holds up a UC Davis Health T-shirt. A sign on the table reads Grateful for you. Thank you for everything you do each and every day.
3: Three individuals stand close together. The person in the center has one arm around each of the other two. All three are facing the camera. Behind them is a wall-mounted screen displaying text that is not fully visible.
4: A barista prepares a drink at a mobile coffee station. Two individuals stand nearby facing the camera and smiling, while others move or converse in the background.
5: Three individuals stand together at the entrance of a room. One person holds a small plate of food and another holds a cup. A hallway map and signage are visible on the wall.
6: Two individuals stand in front of a table covered with Sacramento Republic FC-branded merchandise. One person holds up a towel with the word Indomitable printed on it. Behind them, two additional people work at the table, arranging items.

03/26/2026

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein. Most DVTs happen in the legs and it is a serious condition that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. DVT is on the same level as other major health problems like heart attacks and strokes.

While it often starts quietly, it can quickly become dangerous if not treated. Knowing the signs, risks and treatment options for DVT can help protect your health and may even save your life.

Learn about DVT symptoms, what to watch for and common myths:

Deep vein thrombosis is a common, dangerous blood clot that needs recognition, prompt treatment and long-term awareness to prevent complications.

03/25/2026