UC Davis Medical Center

10/24/2025

Happy ! National Respiratory Care Week recognizes the vital work respiratory therapists do every day.

What does a respiratory therapist do?

Respiratory therapists (RTs) specialize in diagnosing, treating and managing respiratory diseases and disorders, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and lung cancer. They work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools and nursing homes. In addition, they play an essential role in caring for critically ill patients on ventilators.

If you know a respiratory therapist, take a moment to thank them for their hard work and dedication to providing quality patient care. They are often “behind the scenes,” making a meaningful impact in patient’s lives, and should be celebrated for the essential specialty care they provide!

Image descriptions:

#1: Five people smiling and standing in front of a sign that reads "Celebrating Respiratory Care Week". Three of the people are holding certificates.

#2: A respiratory therapist helps a young male patient adjust the settings on a machine.

#3: Four people smiling, standing in front of a sign that reads "Celebrating Respiratory Care Week. Thank you. Thank you to our dedicated Respiratory Therapists". The two people on both ends of the group are holding certificates.

#4: A respiratory therapist smiling and posing with her arms crossed in front of a blurred hospital background.

#5: A group of respiratory therapists in a break room, smiling at the camera.

#6: Three people smiling, standing in front of a sign that reads "Celebrating Respiratory Care Week. Thank you. Thank you to our dedicated Respiratory Therapists". The woman in the middle is holding a certificate.

#7: Three respiratory therapists smiling and posing in front of blue and gold streamers hanging in a door frame.

#8: Two respiratory therapists in light blue scrubs and vests smile and pose in front of gym equipment.

#9: A group of three people in light blue and green scrubs smile and pose in an office doorway.

#10: Two respiratory therapists smile and pose in front of a sign that reads "Happy Respiratory Care Week". The text is inverted.

10/23/2025

For the 5th year in a row, we are proud to share that we have earned the highest rating on the Cal Hospital Compare Opioid Care Honor Roll!

We're proud to be the only UC academic medical center and one of just two hospitals in Sacramento recognized for excellence in caring for patients with substance use disorders.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to address substance use disorders and provide compassionate treatment that supports the health and safety of our community,” said opioid stewardship pharmacist Sarah Berglund.

This honor reflects our commitment to safe, stigma-free care that supports the health of our community.

Learn more about the 2025 Honor Roll and full list of honorees: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-recognized-for-substance-use-disorder-care/2025/10

Image Description: The entrance of UC Davis Medical Center, with the building’s name illuminated above glass doors and a tall hospital tower visible in the background.

10/23/2025

New breast cancer screening guidelines recommend women start mammograms at age 40.

Early detection is key as it can find breast cancer before symptoms appear, when it’s easier to treat.

Know the signs, understand your risk factors, and learn what a mammogram is: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/why-women-should-start-getting-mammograms-at-age-40/2023/10

10/22/2025

I am excited to announce I have appointed Dr. Mark I. Rosenblatt to the position of vice chancellor of human health sciences, overseeing UC Davis Health.

Mark brings to UC Davis deep experience in academic hospital systems. He has made patient care and the patient experience a priority. He has a proven record of collaborating with faculty and staff across medical and other disciplines to leverage the best that a comprehensive university like UC Davis has to offer.

Join me in welcoming Dr. Rosenblatt to the Aggie community—he will begin this upcoming January.

https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-chancellor-may-appoints-mark-i-rosenblatt-vice-chancellor-human-health-sciences

Image description: Mark I. Rosenblatt, MD, Ph.D., MBA, MHA, executive dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, has been appointed to the position of vice chancellor of human health sciences, overseeing UC Davis Health. In the photo, he is wearing a blue suit and a red tie.

10/22/2025

At our Rocklin primary care clinic, medical assistant Carolynn Speck is making a lasting impression, one patient at a time. A recent patient shared how Carolynn’s kindness and ability to remember her by name made each visit feel personal and uplifting.

“She’s always upbeat and a ray of sunshine,” the patient wrote. “It makes you forget about your pain for a minute and feels so good. You can just tell [the team is] passionate about what they do and have that dedication.”

Thank you, Carolynn, for creating a space where patients feel seen, supported and truly cared for.

10/21/2025

10/21/2025

A simple cheek swab six years ago led to a life-changing opportunity for Ashley Castro-Morera, an Employee Relations Consultant.

After several of her family members passed away from different types of cancer, Castro-Morera registered with the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, hoping to one day help someone in need. That opportunity came this August, when she learned she was a match for a patient in Spain diagnosed with lymphoma who needed a peripheral blood stem cell donation.

“My donation was in honor of loved ones that could have benefited if they had received this type of treatment for cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, etc.,” said Castro-Morera. “I wanted to help in any way possible, so that someone’s family could get more time with their loved one.”

Now, she hopes her experience will inspire others to consider becoming donors.

Learn more about the National Bone Marrow Donation Program here: www.nmdp.org

10/20/2025

“We aim to foster empowerment and self-care by supporting individuals to become active participants in their own health journey — building confidence and strengthening the skills needed for effective self-management."

The Koa Family Program empowers women with heart failure through connection, self-care and a whole-health approach.

Learn more about the health and well-being program and meet some of the participants:

The Koa Family Program supports “whole health” for heart failure patients like Barbara Tiney and has shown positive outcomes in improving overall well-being.

10/17/2025

We're proud to share that NRC Health has once again awarded us the Consumer Loyalty Best in Class Award!

The award recognizes organizations for their commitment and initiative in cultivating and maintaining long-lasting loyalty among patients and the communities they serve.

“The recipients of our 2025 Consumer Loyalty Best in Class Award set the standard for excellence,” said Helen Hrdy, chief operating officer at NRC Health. “Their unwavering focus on human understanding and creating meaningful health care experiences has built enduring loyalty among the patients they serve. Their achievement is an inspiration to health care organizations across the country.”

We appreciate our incredible faculty, staff, and students, who work daily to create a positive, healing patient environment.

10/17/2025

10/16/2025

Congratulations to the Winter Lab for being honored in this year’s Lab Safety Awards!

Sebastian Winter leads the research lab in the Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases. Safety is essential in the Winter Lab, especially because they work with potentially hazardous bacteria.

“It is never worth risking your health or well-being for any scientific experiment. Even if the experiment was to lead to a Nobel prize, it’s never worth risking injury or worse for that,” Winter says.

The Winter Lab explores how harmful pathogens like salmonella and shigella disrupt the gut’s protective microbial communities. Their research could lead to new treatments for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

The lab was selected as this year’s School of Medicine winner for its strong safety culture and proactive approach to risk management. Congratulations researchers!

10/14/2025

We're thrilled to share that we welcomed 1,990 babies in the last fiscal year, our highest number of deliveries since 2010!

From Birth Suites to NICU and every support role in between, we are thankful for the dedication, collaboration and compassion in bringing new life into the world every day.