UC Davis Health

08/29/2025

A new study from our cardiovascular researchers reveals that stress doesn’t just affect your mind; it changes your heart at the molecular level.

The new study shows how environmental and social stressors like noise, overcrowding, and sleep disruption activate inflammation in heart cells via NLRP3 inflammasomes, powerful molecular amplifiers of stress.

The findings could lead to new treatments that protect the heart when stress cannot be avoided, especially in underserved communities.

Learn More:

New research reveals that stress affects more than just the mind — it also alters heart function at the molecular level.

08/27/2025

08/27/2025

We're thrilled to share that Kanishka Thiran Jayasundera has been appointed professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the UC Davis School of Medicine! He will also serve as the Fosse Endowed Chair in Vision Science Research.

Jayasundera specializes in retinal diseases and is known internationally for inherited retinal diseases. He built his distinguished career by focusing on improving treatments and providing mental health support for patients with inherited retinal diseases.

"Dr. Jayasundera’s clinical expertise and compassionate care have placed him at the forefront of vision restoration, including pioneering work in gene therapy and retinal prostheses," said Susan Murin, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. "Under his leadership, we're excited to further advance our nationally recognized ophthalmology care and research programs, benefiting our community."

Learn more about Dr. Jayasundera: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/thiran-jayasundera-appointed-chair-of-department-of-ophthalmology-and-vision-science/2025/08

08/26/2025

Happy ! 🐾

We have four expertly trained facility dogs across our health campus that help comfort and normalize the experience of children and teens during a visit to UC Davis Children's Hospital. The facility dogs at UC Davis Health were trained and provided free of charge to the child life specialist handlers from Canine Companions.

Currently, four facility dogs work on different units at the hospital:

Zeebee – Children’s Surgery Center
Huggie – Pediatric Infusion Room
Paloma – Davis 7 Pediatrics
Daniels – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

These incredible facility dogs deserve a round-of a-paws today and every day! 💙

08/26/2025

Congratulations to Jennifer Erickson who was honored this month with a UC Davis Department of Pediatrics Recognition Award! 🎉🎉🎉

Jennifer serves as the Director of the Patient Flow Management Center at UC Davis. She has been a tireless advocate for children’s health, especially through her leadership in the Transfer Center and in initiatives that directly impact how quickly and safely our patients receive care. She has also helped to create a safe and welcoming space for children and families in the new Discharge Reception Area, located in the space that was formerly the hospital gift shop.

Thank you, Jennifer, for all that you do! 🎉🎉🎉

08/25/2025

Research into Blue Zones — regions of the world where people tend to live longer — shows that having a sense of purpose in life may help people live longer.

New research shows that having a sense of purpose in life may have another benefit as people age: reducing the risk of dementia. Researchers found that people who reported a higher sense of purpose in life were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, including mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

“Our findings show that having a sense of purpose helps the brain stay resilient with age,” said Aliza Wingo, senior author and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “Even for people with a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, a sense of purpose was linked to a later onset and lower likelihood of developing dementia.”

Learn more:

People who reported a higher sense of purpose in life were about 28% less likely to develop cognitive impairment, according to a new UC Davis study.

08/25/2025

A beautiful new mural now enhances a prominent wall along V Street on our Sacramento campus, bringing vivid color, creative expression, and a renewed sense of community to the area.

Created by a team of local artists, this large-scale mural is the fourth completed on campus as part of Wide Open Walls, one of the region’s public art initiatives.

The mural features bold natural imagery, including redwood trees, rivers, a California bear (or two), and the peregrine falcon that returns each year to nest, symbolizing resilience, renewal, and the healing power of nature. Each artist contributed a unique voice and visual style, creating a dynamic, layered narrative reflecting California’s environment and our spirit of healing.

As with previous murals on campus, this latest addition reflects our values and ongoing investment in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for patients, visitors, staff, and the broader Sacramento community. The art also contributes to the transformation of the V Street corridor by blending health, culture, and civic pride.

Artists: Kyle Sanders, Dan Emer and Tim Lindsey

08/22/2025

We are proud to be on our way to being designated as a Special Pathogen Treatment Center (SPTC)! This classification, which will enable us to handle patients with contagious infectious diseases, is thanks to $1.2 million in funding from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

With this new designation, we will be ready and able to safely receive, assess, and provide care for people at risk for special pathogen infections, including Ebola and Marburg virus disease.

“This generous investment by the state ensures that Californians will have access to the facilities, trained personnel and protocols needed to safely and effectively treat highly contagious infectious diseases,” said Bruce Hall, interim vice chancellor of human health sciences and chief clinical officer. “At UC Davis Health, our multidisciplinary team — including experts in infectious diseases, infection control, emergency medicine, security and preparedness — are ready to provide care for individuals with some of the most highly contagious infectious diseases.”

Learn more:

UC Davis Medical Center is on track to become the first Special Pathogen Treatment Center in Northern California, to handle patients with contagious infectious diseases. 

08/21/2025

Meet Ryder Phippin, an 8-year-old quarterback from Auburn who’s known for his grit and love of football. After persistent leg pain following a game, Ryder’s family sought answers, and what they found was unexpected: a benign bone tumor known as an osteoid osteoma.

The pain was intense, especially at night, and the journey to diagnosis was long. But Ryder and his family never gave up.

Thanks to the team at UC Davis Children’s Hospital and pediatric surgeon Dr. R. Lor Randall, Ryder finally got the care he needed. Now, he’s on the road to recovery and ready to get back in the game!

“Ryder is healthy and back to doing the things he loves and we have Dr. Randall and UC Davis Children’s Hospital to thank for that," said Ryder's mom, Jennifer.

More of Ryder's story: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/football-injury-leads-to-discovery-of-a-tumor-in-boys-leg/2025/08

08/21/2025

08/19/2025

We’re excited to share that James F. Holmes has been appointed chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine!

Dr. Holmes brings decades of clinical expertise, groundbreaking research, and a deep commitment to mentorship and innovation in emergency care. As a nationally recognized leader in pediatric trauma and clinical epidemiology, his work has shaped emergency medicine practices nationwide.

“I am deeply honored to step into this new role within the Department of Emergency Medicine,” shared Holmes. “It is a privilege to collaborate with our exceptional faculty and staff as we build on the department’s many accomplishments and continue to advance our missions in patient care, education and research.”

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Holmes on this well-deserved appointment! https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/james-f-holmes-appointed-chair-of-emergency-medicine/2025/08

08/18/2025

New research shows that a significant number of autistic children also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This discovery emphasizes the importance of early and thorough evaluations to ensure kids receive the care they need.

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Elicia Fernandez explains, “Diagnosing comorbidities like ADHD in autism is vital for creating effective treatment plans. It is incredibly important for providers to be aware of the high rates of comorbidity, as early assessment and intervention are associated with improved outcomes.

The study offers valuable insights that could help clinicians better identify and treat autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Improving diagnostic accuracy supports more effective interventions and highlights the need for ongoing monitoring throughout childhood.

Learn more about the research:

New UC Davis Health research offers insights for clinicians about the connections between autism and ADHD, which commonly occur together.