UCSD Family Medicine

01/17/2026

Science advancing care.🔬

New research led by Patricia Thistlethwaite, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at UC San Diego Health, shows that a simple blood test could help doctors detect serious heart problems earlier, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, potentially before they become life-threatening.

"This has been a holy grail in the field — a simple blood biomarker that could tell us you have the disease, and yes, it's getting worse," said Thistlethwaite. "(It) would be a great advance compared to the multiple combinations of tests, some of them invasive, that are used to diagnose this disease."

New UC San Diego Health research shows a simple blood test could help doctors catch serious heart problems early.

01/15/2026

Pills are set to transform obesity care in 2026.

New daily medications could mark a major turning point in how people manage weight, offering an alternative to injections and expanding access for millions. Here’s why experts like Eduardo Grunvald, MD, FACP, obesity medicine physician at UC San Diego Health, say this year could reshape obesity treatment.

Patients can already access the first GLP-1 obesity pill from Novo Nordisk, and a rival oral drug from Eli Lilly is slated for U.S. approval later this year.

01/14/2026

Cervical cancer is often silent in its early stages, but with proactive screening and expert care, it is highly treatable.

UC San Diego Health offers comprehensive cervical cancer care, from prevention and diagnosis to advanced treatment options, all centered around you.

health.ucsd.edu/care/cancer/screening-diagnosis/

Keep current on your preventive care routine and learn about lifestyle choices to reduce your cancer risk. Regular cancer screenings can prevent or detect cancer early when it is most treatable.

01/13/2026

Curious about TMS therapy?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to help relieve symptoms of depression, especially when other treatments haven’t worked.

UC San Diego Health psychiatrists explain how TMS works, what to expect and why it’s an effective option for treatment-resistant depression.

Explore TMS therapy and take the first step toward relief: health.ucsd.edu/tms

01/13/2026

Curious about TMS therapy?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to help relieve symptoms of depression, especially when other treatments haven’t worked.

UC San Diego Health psychiatrists explain how TMS works, what to expect and why it’s an effective option for treatment-resistant depression.

Explore TMS therapy and take the first step toward relief: health.ucsd.edu/tms

Why choose UC San Diego Health for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy? Cory Weissman, MD, PhD, and Jean-Philippe Miron, MD, PhD, psychiatrists a...

01/12/2026

We’re thrilled to celebrate Quyen Nguyen, MD, PhD, otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon at UC San Diego Health, on being recognized as one of the San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Business Women of the Year. 🌟

Nguyen describes her career as “embodying the power of translating academic discovery into life-changing medical advances, driven by scientific excellence, visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to improving patient care.”

Thank you for paving the way for women in science and business, we’re proud of your achievements and can’t wait to see what you do next!

sdbj.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SDBJ-Business-Women-of-the-Year-2025-Winners.pdf

01/09/2026

Flu activity is on the rise across San Diego County, driven by a new strain (H3N2) of influenza A. Health experts warn flu activity can continue to increase throughout the winter months. Taking preventive steps now can help protect you and those around you.

Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest ways to lower your risk and help keep our community healthy. Flu shots are available at Express Care clinics for patients 6 months and up, with same-day or next-day appointments, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Walk in or save your spot online for same-day or next-day medical care, including Express Care, Urgent Care and ER/emergency services, for kids and adults at UC San Diego Health. See next available appointment times and hours and save your spot online.

01/09/2026

A major step forward in precision oncology. 🧬

UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers led the first clinical trial to show that cancer treatments can be safely and effectively personalized using the DNA of a patient’s tumor, improving outcomes without increasing side effects.

This groundbreaking study moves cancer care beyond one-size-fits-all to truly individualized treatment.

Innovative clinical trial design is a central part of what we do at Moores Cancer Center,” said Diane Simeone, MD, director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. “This study reflects the strength of our multi-disciplinary team-based approach, combining scientific leadership, clinical trial expertise and the infrastructure needed to bring discoveries directly to patients. It’s a powerful example of how we’re shaping the future of precision oncology and placing the patient at the center of every decision.”

Learn how UC San Diego Health’s personalized cancer care supports patients with treatments designed for their unique journey: health.ucsd.edu/cancer

First global trial shows tumor DNA-guided cancer therapy is safe and effective, improving outcomes through personalized drug combinations in oncology care.

01/07/2026

We’re proud to recognize the UC San Diego Health Hillcrest Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum (LDRP) Unit as the 2025 DAISY Team Award recipient, An honor given by a UC San Diego Health nurse selection committee in partnership with the DAISY Foundation, an international organization that recognizes extraordinary nursing care.

This team was nominated by both a grateful patient’s mom (and fellow nurse) and Ala Garza, senior nursing director at UC San Diego Health. Each highlighting a different moment, but the same unwavering excellence.

From compassionate bedside care, clear communication and swift action during a critical patient experience, to extraordinary teamwork and resilience in the face of a unit-wide flood, the Hillcrest LDRP team consistently put patients, families and one another first.

“They didn’t just respond to an emergency, they transformed a potential disaster into a demonstration of clinical excellence,” said Garza.

Thank you to the Hillcrest LDRP team for the care, professionalism and teamwork that continue to make a lasting impact on the families you serve every day.

Most nominations are based on patient stories submitted by patients, family members, nursing staff and nursing leadership. Learn more about the award and how to nominate a nurse:https://team.getwell.health/public/rounds/survey/ffmXa3apGn5Kg

01/07/2026

Join us for the UC San Diego Prostate Cancer Patient Summit 2026, a two-day event on January 30-31 is designed to educate, empower and connect patients, caregivers and advocates impacted by prostate cancer.

Attendees will hear from leading experts, learn about the latest advances in prostate cancer care and research and connect with others navigating similar journeys. The summit offers practical tools, trusted resources and meaningful conversations to support patients and families at every stage.

Located at UC San Diego Park & Market. Registration is free: moorescancercenter.ucsd.edu/outreach/prostate-cancer-patient-summit.html

01/05/2026

Could magnesium help protect your hearing? Emerging research suggests this essential mineral may support inner-ear health, particularly when it comes to noise-related damage. While it’s not a cure, it may play a role in prevention.

Hear what experts like Rick Friedman, MD, Ph.D., otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon at UC San Diego Health, have to say about what the science shows.

Magnesium shows promise for noise-related hearing damage, but human evidence is limited. Here’s who may actually benefit.

01/03/2026

We are celebrating the New Year at UC San Diego Health with the arrival of our first babies born in 2026!

Baby girl, Violet, was the first baby born at UC San Diego Health at 1:56am on January 1, 2026, at Jacobs Medical Center.

Baby boy, Noah, was the first baby born at Hillcrest Medical Center at 8:52am on January 1, 2026.

We are honored when families choose UC San Diego Health to be a part of such life-changing moments. Welcome to the world, Violet and Noah!

health.ucsd.edu/care/pregnancy-birth/