UC San Diego Health

04/28/2026

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a transplant social worker looks like?

Vanessa Mulsow, LCSW, CCTSW, abdominal transplant social work supervisor, takes us behind the scenes at the Center for Transplantation at UC San Diego Health, where she supports patients navigating one of the most life‑changing journeys they’ll ever take.

At UC San Diego Health, our transplant social workers are embedded across organ programs, partnering closely with the care team to support patients before, during and after transplant. From connecting patients to vital resources to helping them build realistic, sustainable plans for life after transplant, their work goes far beyond the operating room.

health.ucsd.edu/transplant

Video description: A woman prepares for the day at home, packing children’s lunches, helping a child get dressed, pouring coffee, and leaving the house. The day continues with her driving to work, followed by walking inside a hospital with exterior and interior signage, busy hallways, and patient care areas. She speaks with members of a medical care team, uses a phone, works at a computer while walking on a treadmill desk, and selects a book from a staff library. She returns to the home setting, showing her driving children to after‑school activities, helping them get ready for bed, and tidying up. The day ends with her sitting in bed, reading on an e‑reader, and turning off the light.

04/27/2026

A major milestone in spine care.

UC San Diego Health is the first health system on the West Coast to perform spine surgery using a new AI‑powered robotic system with advanced imaging and guidance. The launch was led by Joseph Osorio, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, whose expertise in complex spine surgery and commitment to innovation continue to bring leading‑edge care to patients.

"This platform fundamentally changes how we think about spine surgery," said Osorio, who is also an associate professor of neurological surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "For the first time, we are bringing together artificial intelligence, data-driven alignment planning, patient-specific implants, navigation and robotic screw delivery within a single system. That level of precision and coordination allows us to operate more efficiently while significantly enhancing safety for our patients."

First West Coast AI-driven robotic spine surgery performed at UC San Diego Health, improving precision and recovery for patients.

04/27/2026

Nurse Rod brings heart, healing and harmony to patient care. 🎶💙

04/27/2026

Leading the way in ALS research and care.

Dominic Ferrey, MD, neuologist at UC San Diego Health, speaks with FOX 5 San Diego about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the advancements in research and care at UC San Diego Health, progress that continues to bring hope to patients and families.

Dominic Ferrey, MD, talks about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and the advances being made in research and care at UCSD.

04/24/2026

Crafts with a purpose.

Meet the incredible volunteers behind Crafts for a Cause, a volunteer‑led initiative that hand‑assembles monthly craft kits to brighten patients’ days. From coloring and bracelet making to origami and collage, each kit includes personalized notes, stickers and QR codes with how‑to videos.

This is the power of creativity, compassion and community.

health.ucsd.edu/volunteer

Video description: The video shows a volunteer introducing a Crafts for a Cause kit and presenting it to a patient. It then cuts to volunteers assembling the kits, followed by the patient exploring the materials inside and expressing appreciation for the thoughtful items included.

04/23/2026

For years, every breath was a battle for Kari Lusti. Living with advanced lung disease that left her struggling to speak without coughing and dependent on constant support, her world grew smaller with every breath. Today, she is breathing freely — and living fully again — thanks to a life‑saving lung transplant at UC San Diego Health.

Her second chance was made possible by an advanced lung perfusion and hypothermic preservation system that allows donor lungs to be safely transported from across North America, even as far as Hawaii.

“This innovative approach to organ procurement significantly expands the availability of life‑saving donations and facilitates timely transplantation in complex cases, such as Ms. Lusti’s,” said Eugene Golts, MD, surgical director of lung transplant at UC San Diego Health.

One year after her transplant, Lusti returned to UC San Diego Health to thank the ICU and pulmonary care teams who helped save her life, a milestone she once feared she might never reach. “For the first time in four years, I can finish a sentence without coughing,” she said. “The freedom to just breathe is such a gift.”

When reflecting on her journey and her care, Lusti also shared gratitude for her organ donor and donor family.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my organ donor, and for their gift I am eternally grateful," added Lusti. "Because of my donor and the incredible team at UC San Diego Health, where the doctors are willing to approach the impossible, I have been given a second chance at life."

Patient receives life-saving lung transplant surgery after dealing with severe lung disease for years

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day!

At UC San Diego Health, caring for people and the planet go hand in hand. From energy‑efficient buildings and waste reduction to water conservation and sustainable food programs, we’re taking meaningful steps toward a healthier future for all.

Because a healthier planet supports healthier communities. 🌍

Learn more about sustainability at UC San Diego Health: health.ucsd.edu/sustainability

04/22/2026

What started as a lingering cough led Mark Montoya to a diagnosis he never expected: larynx cancer.

Referred to UC San Diego Health in 2021, Montoya underwent chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries. When the cancer returned, even after aggressive treatment and the removal of his larynx, Montoya and his care team turned to a clinical trial.

The results came fast. His first follow-up scans, just six weeks into treatment, showed the tumors shrinking. Montoya's early partial response to the therapy deepened over subsequent scans into a complete response showing no detectable cancer.

This season, Montoya celebrated that hard‑won milestone in a powerful way: ringing the Mission Bell at a San Diego Padres game — a moment that symbolized resilience, gratitude and hope. Once told his cancer could not be cured, he is now in remission and stands as a testament to the impact of innovative research, multidisciplinary care and the determination to keep going.

Read his full journey from diagnosis to remission: https://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/patients-journey-from-incurable-larynx-cancer-to-years-in-remission/

04/21/2026

Preserving fertility means keeping options open.

UC San Diego Health offers fertility preservation opportunities for people facing cancer treatments that may impact fertility, and for those who aren’t ready to pursue pregnancy yet.

We’re also one of the few centers in the country to offer ovarian tissue freezing, an advanced option not widely available.

Learn how our comprehensive fertility preservation counseling can support your future plans: https://health.ucsd.edu/care/cancer/fertility-preservation-counseling/

04/20/2026

During Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the incredible volunteers who give their time, talents and hearts to UC San Diego Health every day. From patient support to behind-the-scenes help, you make a difference in countless ways, thank you. 💙

health.ucsd.edu/volunteer

04/18/2026

Why is the childhood vaccine schedule so confusing for parents? An LA Times opinion by Joshua Rothman, MD, pediatrician at UC San Diego Health, takes a closer look at hepatitis B recommendations for babies and children, and why clarity matters.

The lesson from the past is simple. When we stop using vaccines that work, the diseases they prevent come back.

04/17/2026

Sleep apnea doesn’t always look the same, especially in women.

Atul Malhotra, MD, sleep medicine specialist at UC San Diego Health, helps shed light on how sleep apnea symptoms can be overlooked or misunderstood in women, delaying diagnosis and care. From subtle daytime fatigue to mood changes and disrupted sleep, recognizing the signs is key to getting the right support.

Read more: https://www.self.com/story/sleep-apnea-symptoms-in-women