UC San Diego Health

Dawn Andrews sat by her grandmother's side through dialysis treatments and offered love and support to her father throughout his kidney transplant process. Both had polycystic kidney disease (PKD) - a hereditary, chronic kidney disease that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys. It wasn't a surprise when Andrews was diagnosed with PKD herself at age 30. "I knew I had a 50/50 shot of having this," she said.

Eighteen years after that initial diagnosis, Andrews is grateful to have found UC San Diego Health’s PKD team to monitor her long-term care. She sought treatment options from nephrologists (kidney specialists) over the years but could never get a clear roadmap of what her future treatments may entail. Then she found the oversight and guidance she was looking for with Dr. Pranav Garimella, a nephrologist who leads UC San Diego Health’s PKD program.

“It has been the best medical care of my life – I feel so lucky to have found this level of care with Dr. Garimella and his team,” Andrews said. “He has a clear trajectory of what my treatment is going to look like, and he doesn’t sugar coat it, which I appreciate.”

UC San Diego Health has been named a Center of Excellence for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) by the PKD Foundation – the leading advocacy group dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for PKD. To learn more about PKD visit
https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/kidney/Pages/polycystic.aspx

While we hope your holidays are happy and healthy, you can never be too prepared. If you are dealing with an injury or illness — whether it’s minor or critical — and want care right away at a walk-in clinic, come to UC San Diego Health. We have three same-day treatment options for kids and adults.

✅ Express Care (including video visits)
✅ Urgent Care
✅ Emergency Care

Learn the differences ➡️ go.ucsd.edu/3O6Cxt1
Save your spot in line ➡️ go.ucsd.edu/3HQOofe
** Some locations will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

A trifecta of respiratory viruses -- Covid, RSV and flu -- is taxing hospitals across the nation | CNN

COVID-19, RSV and the flu are still prevalent. Follow these tips to help protect you and your loved ones this holiday season:

➡️ Get vaccinated
➡️ Stay home if you feel sick
➡️ Wear a mask
➡️ Wash your hands
➡️ Cover your cough or sneeze

A trifecta of respiratory viruses -- Covid, RSV and flu -- is taxing hospitals across the nation | CNN Across the country, overflow health care workers are struggling to catch their breath as hospitals fill with sick patients battling a trifecta of respiratory illnesses -- Covid-19, RSV and the flu.

New Student Program to Help Address Diversity Gap in Health Care Industry

UC San Diego Health has received $2.2 million in grant funding from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to develop a new student enrichment program that seeks to encourage high school students in underrepresented communities to pursue health care careers.

“This grant will provide us with the chance to address opportunity gaps among health care providers and increase diversity within our team, which we believe in turn will decrease health care disparities, and ultimately improve lives,” said Cabiria “Bea” Lizarraga, RN, nurse manager at UC San Diego Health.

New Student Program to Help Address Diversity Gap in Health Care Industry UC San Diego Health is the only institution in the region to receive grant funding from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information to provide support for underrepresented high school students interested in entering health care.

An emergency response was called at Jacobs Medical Center early this morning. UCSD Police arrived on scene and determined no immediate threat. The location is safe and secure. See details https://go.ucsd.edu/3iX1Kfw

At age 27, Linda Small was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) — a type of chronic kidney disease that causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys, enlarging and damaging them over time.

“I had no idea what polycystic kidney disease was — nobody in my family knew either,” said Small. “I knew I may eventually need a transplant, but it was hard to find any specific information about it.”

While searching for the best treatment plan she found UC San Diego Health’s PKD program, led by Pranav Garimella, MD, MPH, nephrologist. The program has received the Center of Excellence designation by the National PKD Foundation — the leading advocacy group dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for PKD.

“The ability for a patient to have a dedicated group of physicians who are continually evolving and advancing care benefits them," said Dr Garimella. "And being at an institution like UC San Diego Health allows us to provide seamless care for the most complicated cases.”

When Linda eventually needed a kidney transplant, her sister Annette LaRoche, didn’t hesitate to offer one of hers. The transplant took place at UC San Diego Health in February, one day before her birthday. She received a gift unlike any other, a donated kidney and a new lease on life. https://go.ucsd.edu/3UTRbr8

ERs stressed as COVID-19 cases increase in San Diego County

With influenza, COVID-19 and RSV on the rise this time of year, our hospitals are seeing the impact. The best thing you can do for your community during the holidays is to stay home and rest if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

ERs stressed as COVID-19 cases increase in San Diego County Sharp Grossmont doctor urges residents to use home testing to ease pressure on hospitals

Leading the Way to Health Equity

Experts across the UC San Diego community are conducting research related to health inequity and creating groundbreaking solutions on how to combat it.

“Within UC San Diego Health, health equity for our patients is our ‘true north’ metric,” said Dr. Crystal Cené, inaugural chief administrative officer for Health Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at UC San Diego Health. “Health equity implies that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. To achieve this, we must value all individuals and populations equally, recognize and rectify historical injustices that created and perpetuate inequities, and provide resources according to need.”

Leading the Way to Health Equity Researchers from a broad range of fields at the University of California San Diego are making waves as they push the boundaries of science and medicine to develop groundbreaking, real-world solutions to longstanding health inequities.

Happy 100th birthday Dr. Elliott Lasser! 🎂 Dr. Lasser has accomplished so much — he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, founded the radiology department at UC San Diego Health and served as its first chair, performed radiology research and advocated for a four-year medical school, UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Dr. Lasser still does research to find more ways that contrast can help prevent illness and promote health. Thanks for all your incredible work and contributions, Dr. Lasser! 🎉

Oh baby! UC San Diego Health has been given the highest rating for obstetric care
and was recognized as a 2022-2023 high-performing hospital, the highest award a hospital can earn for obstetric and infant care by U.S. News & World Report.

“We are beyond proud to receive this prestigious recognition. As the only academic medical center in the region, we are providing patients’ world-class care from the research lab to the hospital bedside,” said Patty Maysent, CEO, UC San Diego Health. “When expectant parents are considering their options of welcoming a baby into the world, we want them to know that our hospital system offers the most comprehensive and compassionate care by superb multi-disciplinary teams.”

From caring for expectant parents through pregnancy to specialized care for babies born less than a pound, UC San Diego Health provides the highest standards of care to newborns and families, resulting in a high-profile national designation.
Read more, go.ucsd.edu/3HgeHLK

The holidays are near! Give your family and friends the best gift — health and protection. Flu vaccines can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, hospitalizations and have been shown to be life saving. Here are three easy ways you can get a flu shot:

➡️ Drive-up appointment
➡️ Clinic or pharmacy appointment
➡️ Same-day appointment at an Express Care location

Don’t wait, schedule now at: https://go.ucsd.edu/2pUbJXB

Urologists Investigate Climate Change, Health Rights and Gender Equity

Urologists from all over the nation are set to gather at UC San Diego for the Urology for Social Responsibility seminar in January 2023. Here they will investigate climate change, health rights and gender equity.

“The new generation of doctors are committed to advocating for change and to help communities that are struggling with challenges such as safe and equitable access to health care,” said Manoj Monga, MD, professor and chair, Department of Urology, University of California San Diego School of Medicine and urologist at UC San Diego Health.

Session topics include global responsibility and volunteerism, climate change, sustainability in operating rooms, health rights, access to reproductive care, gender equity, reform of health care and pharmaceutical industries, and wellness and burnout prevention.

Urologists Investigate Climate Change, Health Rights and Gender Equity The Urology for Social Responsibility seminar will be offered in the T. Denny Sanford Center Medical Education and Telemedicine on the UC San Diego campus from January 14 to 15, 2023.

After a major surgery that required removal of his stomach, spleen and appendix with a portion of his colon recruited to act as an esophagus, Darren Hamilton went through a lot emotionally. He used the chaplain and spiritual care services at UC San Diego Heath to share what he was going through — the good days and the bad — and to help him refocus on all that he had to look forward to in the future.

“I had no idea at the time how critical this service would be to me and my wife,” said Hamilton. “It was exactly what I needed to help get me through this journey. My medical team saved my life using advanced techniques, but there was an entirely different team who saved me in a different way.”

Hamilton used the chaplain services throughout his entire recovery process. He is now back to work as a Coronado police officer and living his life fully with this family.

The service provides an important source of comfort and strength to patients and families faced with serious illnesses and includes chaplains and spiritual care leaders from many different faiths. To learn more, https://go.ucsd.edu/35qa2CM

One Year of Trolley to UTC

Can you believe it has been one year since the opening of the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley extension? The route has helped San Diegan's have better access to world-class education and health care.

"Transit is really important to get patients to providers," said Patty Maysent, CEO, UC San Diego Health. Since the additional trolley route started, we have seen patients transported between our two medical campuses and throughout the region.

To learn more about transportation and shuttle services, visit go.ucsd.edu/3uVh9jX

One Year of Trolley to UTC his November, we celebrate one year of Trolley service to UTC along the UC San Diego Blue Line extension. The Mid-Coast extension has proven to be a popular ...

When people say “moving mountains,” they usually mean achieving something that seems impossible or requires a great deal of time and energy to conquer, but with determination, heart, and the right people by your side, you make something extraordinary happen.

Caitlin Costello, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist who specializes in blood cancers at UC San Diego Health, and her patient Michelle Carlberg recently moved a few huge mountains together, both in the hospital and the great outdoors.

Michelle was diagnosed with multiple myeloma when she was 35 years old. Michelle worked with Dr. Costello to create a personalized approach for her cancer course. Michelle is currently receiving a treatment named Carfilzomib, a well-known therapy for managing multiple myeloma, as a “maintenance regimen” to delay her disease from relapsing. With this treatment, she has achieved the greatest goal known in multiple myeloma – minimal residual disease negativity. This means that every cancer cell has been eradicated in her body. Her treatment is designed to keep it that way as long as possible, and it has been nearly five years.

This past September, Dr. Costello and Michelle traveled together to Tanzania to climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the largest freestanding mountain in the world, in order to raise awareness and money for multiple myeloma research.

“It was such a wonderful experience for me hiking with Dr. Costello and getting to know her on a personal level,” Michelle said. “The group we hiked with was either people that had loved ones affected by this cancer or passed away, two other patients as well. It was a very unique experience and very cathartic.”

“This journey was far more than just a hike for me,” Costello said recalling her experience and its impact. “I’ve just been in awe of Michelle, watching her conquer so much – first cancer and now Kilimanjaro, , and humbled by the physical and mental fortitude required to conquer Lady Kili.”

As a patient at UC San Diego Health, one of the largest multiple myeloma centers in the region, Michelle achieved a deep remission that allowed her to live life to the fullest, make an impact and move mountains.

Our blood cancer specialists diagnose and treat all stages and types of hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and myelodysplasia. Learn more at go.ucsd.edu/3AUxlF0

Understanding Female/Vulvar Sexual Health with Dr. Maria Uloko, MD

Sexual dysfunction cases are often treatable, yet misunderstood and should not to be embarrassing or shameful, according to Maria Uloko, MD, urologist.

Equity and compassionate care are integral to how Dr. Uloko approaches patient care. She shares the importance of prioritizing and reducing the stigma surrounding female vulvar sexual health, as well as identifying signs and underlying causes of these conditions. ⬇️

Understanding Female/Vulvar Sexual Health with Dr. Maria Uloko, MD Maria Uloko, MD, urology, shares the importance of prioritizing and reducing the stigma surrounding female vulvar sexual health, as well as signs and symptom...

You don’t have to travel to a medical office every time you need care. Get virtual care from your home through video visits with your UC San Diego Health provider.

It’s just like a regular appointment with your doctor with the same high-quality service, only more convenient. Appointments are done through our free MyUCSDHealth app for minor health concerns.

Learn more about video visits and other telehealth options: https://go.ucsd.edu/3i0r7ge

Diabetes Care | Type 1 & Type 2 | UC San Diego Health

November is National Diabetes Month and at UC San Diego Health, we take a multidisciplinary approach to provide the newest proven therapies, technologies and therapeutic lifestyle changes that can help you manage your diabetes. Check-in with your care team to learn more about prevention, screening or testing if you are experiencing symptoms related to diabetes. Learn more at: https://go.ucsd.edu/3UD3OaL

Diabetes Care | Type 1 & Type 2 | UC San Diego Health Our diabetes experts treat all forms of diabetes, including type 1 and type 2 as well as gestational diabetes.

Our physician-scientists are taking many approaches to learning more about diagnosing and improving survival rates for pancreatic cancer. November is month and while there is still no known cure, researchers believe they are getting closer to techniques for earlier diagnosis, new therapies to stop the cancer’s spread, and possible curative treatments.

At UC San Diego, scientific studies are particularly exciting. For example, our researchers have developed models of human pancreatic cancer that allow them to study all stages of the disease, from pre-invasive to metastatic. In addition, our physician-scientists are preparing clinical trials for the investigation of new therapies.

Learn more at go.ucsd.edu/3u13jvv

UC Health’s sustainability accomplishments recognized amid increasing focus on climate equity

From the exam room to the operating table to the cafeteria, UC academic health centers are reducing greenhouse gases and waste as part of the University’s broad, measurable program to increase sustainability at health locations and campuses.

Learn more about UC Health's sustainability accomplishments:

UC Health’s sustainability accomplishments recognized amid increasing focus on climate equity November 15, 2022 It’s a paradox: Even as health care providers treat health issues triggered by climate change–such as more asthma patients among vulnerable groups and extreme heat driven symptoms and illness–health care facilities contribute to the problem. In the U.S., health care accounts ...

Children’s Primary Care Medical Group Joins UC San Diego Health Network

Children’s Primary Care Medical Group (CPCMG) and UC San Diego Health have affiliated to better serve the health care needs of families with children in the San Diego region. CPCMG joins a physician network of more than 1,450 UC San Diego Health providers who provide primary, pediatric and specialty care for every stage of life.

“Through this affiliation, and our current pediatric practices, we will improve the health of the community with a focus on the primary care needs of our region’s youngest patients.” said Patty Maysent, CEO, UC San Diego Health. https://go.ucsd.edu/3TJ1cGP

Your family deserves the best care. UC San Diego Health offers patients top physicians, multiple locations and unparalleled attention and care. Choose the region's best option for health care. Learn how to switch providers today at GetBetterCareNow.com

Children’s Primary Care Medical Group Joins UC San Diego Health Network Children’s Primary Care Medical Group and UC San Diego Health have affiliated to better serve the health care needs of families with children in the San Diego region.

UC San Diego Health at Pacific Highlands Ranch has expanded to include Express Care! Take advantage of this convenient option if you need care for minor health issues. With express care, walk-ins are welcome for common illnesses and injuries as well as wellness needs like flu shots and sports physicals. Express Care is open evenings and weekends and also offers video visits for certain conditions.

– Pacific Highlands Ranch also offers primary care for all ages and OBGYN. Learn more about our top-ranked care: https://GetBetterCareNow.com

Califano Named New Director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health

We are excited to announce that Joseph A. Califano III, MD, has been named director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

Dr. Califano is a board-certified otolaryngologist who specializes in head and neck surgical oncology and the integration of basic, molecular and biological research in that practice, his clinical expertise includes minimally invasive treatment of tumors of the mouth, throat and head and neck.

“I am honored to be chosen as director, and to continue working with a remarkably talented faculty and staff, whose abilities, compassion and dedication have made Moores Cancer Center one of the premier destinations for research and treatment since it was founded in 1978,” said Dr. Califano.

Congratulations and well deserved, Dr. Califano! Read the full announcement here: go.ucsd.edu/3EaMF0K

Califano Named New Director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health Joseph A. Califano III, MD, has been named director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

As a patient services representative at UC San Diego Health in Encinitas, Claire Stone sees firsthand the excellence our patients receive every day. When she makes health care decisions for her family, the choice was easy.

“Finding specialists for my husband had been a struggle until we switched to UC San Diego Health. It’s a weight off my shoulders knowing my loved one is receiving excellent medical care from doctors I trust,” Stone said.

Consider UC San Diego Health
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