UC San Diego Health - Express Care

11/04/2025

UC San Diego Health is proud to be the first in the U.S. to offer a new blood test for testicular cancer, a groundbreaking advancement that can detect disease earlier, guide treatment decisions with greater precision and help reduce unnecessary scans.

"Being able to engage in translational research that radically impacts the way we care for patients with testicular cancer is incredibly rewarding," said Aditya Bagrodia, MD, urologic oncologist at UC San Diego Health. "Developing this test in partnership with my colleagues represents years of dedicated work to bring a new form of personalized medicine to testicular cancer care."

UC San Diego Health is the first hospital system in the country to offer a new integrated MRNA blood test for testicular cancer.

11/01/2025

Join us November 15 for the Living with Skin Cancer Patient Symposium, hosted by AIM at Skin Cancer Foundation and the UC Melanoma & Skin Cancer Consortium. This educational event is designed for patients, caregivers and anyone interested in learning more about skin cancer awareness, prevention and treatment options.

Attendees will hear from leading dermatologists and oncologists about cancer prevention, surgical and non-surgical treatment options and managing the physical and emotional aspects of living with skin cancer. The event includes Q&A sessions with experts and access to valuable patient resources.

The symposium will be offered both in-person at the Altman Clinical & Translational Research Institute in La Jolla and virtually. Register for free, here: https://go.ucsd.edu/3X2dJJq

Join us for an educational symposium focused on skin cancer awareness, prevention, and management. This event is designed for patients, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about skin health and treatment options.

10/31/2025

These little ghouls are sure to bring a smile to your face this Halloween. 🎃

Our tiniest patients are celebrating their very first Halloween in style in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health. Playing dress up for the holiday is a fun way for parents to bond with their infants receiving care in the NICU while bringing smiles to the doctors, nurses and staff who provide them with such exceptional support.

The NICU at Jacobs Medical Center is a nationally recognized Level III center, providing the highest level of care for newborns who need a little extra love.

10/31/2025

These little ghouls are sure to bring a smile to your face this Halloween. 🎃

Our tiniest patients are celebrating their very first Halloween in style in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health. Playing dress up for the holiday is a fun way for parents to bond with their infants receiving care in the NICU while bringing smiles to the doctors, nurses and staff who provide them with such exceptional support.

The NICU at Jacobs Medical Center is a nationally recognized Level III center, providing the highest level of care for newborns who need a little extra love.

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

10/30/2025

The sounds of hope and harmony filled Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health as musicians from the San Diego Symphony performed for patients, families and staff. The string quartet shared calming, uplifting pieces that brought moments of peace and joy to all who listened. Thank you to the San Diego Symphony for sharing the healing power of music with our community. 🎼

10/29/2025

Caring for those who care for others. 💙

At UC San Diego Health, supporting the well-being of our physicians and staff is integral to delivering exceptional patient care. Led by Sonia Ramamoorthy, MD, chief of colon and re**al surgery and director of physician wellness, our physician wellness program strengthens teamwork, leadership and professional fulfillment across the health system.

From confidential peer support and mental health resources to mindfulness tools and professional development opportunities, these initiatives are designed to help clinicians thrive — both in and outside of work.

This commitment has earned UC San Diego Health national recognition from the American Medical Association’s Joy in Medicine™ program, honoring our focus on creating a culture where physicians can find meaning, balance and joy in the work they love.

Sonia Ramamoorthy, MD, reflects on the importance of focusing on physician wellness in this Q&A.

10/28/2025

When Jennifer Martin, RN, learned her patient, Justine Galloway, was completing her final round of chemotherapy for lymphoma, she wanted to do something special. During treatment, Galloway discovered that Martin performs around San Diego with Thriller SD, a community group known for recreating the iconic zombie dance from Michael Jackson’s hit song, and mentioned she’d love to see her dance.

That sparked an idea of surprising Galloway with a Thriller flash mob on her discharge day.

With help from fellow dancers, Martin brought the performance to life outside UC San Diego Health. The spirited group celebrated Galloway’s milestone with music, joy and zombie moves she’ll never forget. A meaningful moment that marked the end of her treatment and the spirit of the season. 🎃🕺

10/28/2025

Meet our TLC superstars! 🐾 ✨

UC San Diego Health’s Tender Loving Canines (TLC) program brings comfort, smiles and calm through trained pet therapy dogs who visit patients, families and staff across our hospitals. Each pup has its own trading card and a whole lot of heart.

These visits can lower stress and blood pressure while offering a comforting, healing touch. Our four-legged friends also visit hospital staff for a little endorphin boost and a much-deserved break.

If you and your dog want to make a difference, join our TLC volunteer team today: 📩 volsvcs@health.ucsd.edu

health.ucsd.edu/support/volunteer/

10/25/2025

Breathe easier knowing you’re in expert hands.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare but serious condition where blood clots in the lungs become chronic and cause high blood pressure. Its symptoms — like shortness of breath, fatigue and trouble staying active — are often mistaken for asthma, COPD or general deconditioning, leading to delayed diagnosis.

At UC San Diego Health, our internationally recognized specialists offer advanced diagnostics and treatments, including pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) surgery, a potential cure for many patients.

We are here to help you find answers, hope and a path toward better breathing.

Get effective diagnosis and the most advanced treatments for pulmonary hypertension at UC San Diego Health.

10/24/2025

At UC San Diego Health, our commitment to caring for our community goes far beyond the walls of our hospitals.

As part of UC’s academic health care system, we’re proud to help advance the health and well-being of people across the state. This year, UC Health’s Community Engagement Report highlights how UC academic health centers and faculty practice groups contributed $5.9 billion in community benefit and uncompensated care.

Locally, we’re investing in innovative programs to empower healthier communities for all.

September 30, 2025 Today, the University of California Health released its community engagement report for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The report provides details on investments and descriptions of community engagement programs happening across the University’s academic health centers and faculty m...

10/23/2025

From safeguarding patient data to keeping life-saving systems online, cybersecurity is critical to modern health care. UC San Diego’s Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity is advancing research, training and collaboration to protect patients and hospitals nationwide.

Hospitals are increasingly reliant on networked technology to run lifesaving medical equipment and access patient records. UC San Diego’s Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity is at the forefront of safeguarding these systems against cyberattacks.

10/22/2025

When baby Ezra was cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UC San Diego Health, his mom Victoria Silva discovered that she wasn’t able to produce milk right away, but thanks to donor breast milk provided by the UC Health Milk Bank Ezra got the nutrition and care he needed. .

In time, Silva was able to produce enough milk of her own for Ezra and other babies in need as well. She was inspired by the support her son received while in the NICU and became a breast milk donor herself to the UC Health Milk Bank when Ezra was six months old.

Victoria says she’s honored to support babies the way her son was supported, “pumping it forward” into a community of mothers helping mothers, babies helping babies, families helping families.

"We were given grace and kindness from someone else when we greatly needed it and now it's time for us to give that grace back," said Silva. "I am honored to help babies in need while also nourishing my own son, and donating back to the milk bank is truly a cathartic experience, especially after what we went through during my delivery. I am pumping each day and night knowing that my breast milk is going to help a baby in the NICU one day just like it helped my baby."

In 2020, University of California Health and UC San Diego Health launched a nonprofit human milk bank — the UC Health Milk Bank — to serve families throughout California, including all six UC Health academic medical centers. It is the first milk bank located in San Diego and is the only Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) accredited milk bank in Southern California, out of 30 nationwide.

This October, the UC Health Milk Bank is hosting a “BOO-bies for Babies” virtual milk drive, inviting donors to contribute their excess, life-saving breast milk to support vulnerable infants in need. More information on becoming a donor can be found, here: health.universityofcalifornia.edu/patient-care/milk-bank

Inspired by her baby’s experience receiving donor breast milk in the NICU at UC San Diego Health, mom becomes a milk donor herself