UC Davis Health

11/20/2025

We are proud to be the first in the world to treat our cardiovascular patients with a new innovative valve repair system. The new approach treats those with mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, also known as leaky heart valves.

“We are excited to offer our patients this novel, minimally invasive approach to treating severe valvular regurgitation, a condition for which there are few safe and effective treatment options with this degree of efficiency,” said professor and director Gagan D. Singh, who performed the first procedure globally at UC Davis Medical Center.

Learn more about this breakthrough and how our team is leading the way in minimally invasive heart care: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-performs-worlds-first-transcatheter-procedure-with-new-valve-repair-system/2025/11

Image Description: A group of health care professionals are standing together in a hospital procedure room. They are wearing colorful protective lead aprons, surgical scrubs and shoe covers. Several team members are holding a large blue banner labeled “Abbott MitraClip Delivery System XT W,” which features an illustration of the MitraClip device.

11/19/2025

When Hodgkin’s lymphoma returned, Elisabeth Lucien needed a second bone marrow transplant. The perfect donor? Her big sister, Rebekah, who would later become a pediatrician and adolescent medicine physician here at UC Davis Children's Hospital!

Rebekah didn’t hesitate. “Before my sister was born, God knew I was going to be a match for her,” she said.

“I’ll never forget it,” said Elisabeth, through tears. “She is my hero... I feel like I owe her my life.”

Her gift gave Elisabeth the chance to keep chasing her dreams: from high school basketball games to earning a PhD.

Today, the sisters just celebrated 13 years since that life-changing transplant. They call it “Sister Act Day,” a tribute to the gift of life and the care team that felt like family.

Elisabeth hopes sharing her story will not only inspire patients but help educate care teams. She wants medical professionals to remember the human behind the diagnosis.

Read more about their inspiring story and how it shaped both of their journeys: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/features/sister-act-hodgkins-lymphoma/2025/11

Image Descriptions:
1: Two people are standing close together indoors, wearing black T-shirts with printed designs. The background includes a beige wall and a wooden door.

2: A person is seated in a hospital chair wrapped in a maroon blanket and holding a stuffed teddy bear. Another person is standing behind the chair.

3: A person is lying in a hospital bed wearing a white T-shirt with colorful text. Medical equipment, including IV bags and tubing, is visible next to the bed.

4: Two people are walking outdoors on a paved path surrounded by trees and greenery. They are holding hands and wearing casual clothing.

11/19/2025

UC Davis MIND Institute researchers are leading a major $5.5 million study to better understand how children with Down syndrome develop the skills used to share wants, thoughts and feelings.

“Most children with Down syndrome have delays in developing expressive communication,” said Angela John Thurman, the lead researcher. “We know these delays are common and that children develop at different speeds, but we still don’t know enough about how their communication skills change and grow.”

The five-year project is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. The researchers will collaborate on the project with colleagues at Colorado State University, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the study:

A new NIH-funded study led by Professor Angela John Thurman aims to build a roadmap for communication support for children with Down syndrome.

11/18/2025

Lexy and Jack Harrington were moving from Ohio to Florida when a spina bifida diagnosis changed their pregnancy plans.

After hearing about our landmark clinical trial, the couple researched the CuRe Trial, the world's first spina bifida treatment combining fetal surgery with stem cell treatment.

Surgeon Diana Farmer called the couple to ease their hesitation about the trial. Diana is an internationally renowned fetal and neonatal surgeon who helped pioneer this treatment for spina bifida. Lexy and Jack flew to Sacramento to meet with her and the team, and immediately enrolled in the trial.

“I was acknowledged as a mother, as a wife, as a human. It was unbelievable,” Lexy said. “I left there knowing I wanted that team to take care of me and my child throughout the whole journey.”

Spina bifida occurs when the spinal cord fails to close properly during the early stages of pregnancy. The birth defect can lead to a range of lifelong cognitive, mobility, urinary and bowel disabilities.

Lexy’s C-section was scheduled for late December, but Baby Millie had other ideas. Less than three weeks later, Lexy went into labor. Millie arrived at 28 weeks and one day on Oct. 31, weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces.

Although a long hospital stay was not what the Harringtons had planned, the couple again found themselves in the right place. Not only is UC Davis Children's Hospital home to the innovative CuRe Trial, it also has a level 4-designated nursery providing the highest level of clinical care for newborns and premature babies, like Millie.

As for baby Millie, she turned 1 last month and is developmentally on track. Learn more about the CuRe trial: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/fetal-surgery-at-uc-davis-health-gives-ohio-baby-new-hope/2025/11

Image Descriptions:
1: A newborn baby is lying in a hospital bed wrapped in a white blanket with colorful patterns. The baby is wearing a white knit cap and has a nasal cannula for oxygen support. Medical equipment is visible in the background.

2: Two adults are standing in a hospital room holding a newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket with colorful designs. A wall clock and medical equipment are visible in the background.

3: Two adults are seated in a hospital bed with a young child resting against one adult’s chest. The child is wearing a hospital gown and has a medical tube attached. The setting includes hospital bedding and equipment.

4: An infant is sitting upright in a cushioned chair wearing a yellow headband with a large bow and a patterned outfit with teal sleeves and pants. A pastel-striped blanket is draped over the back of the chair.

11/17/2025

Clinical trial patient Gerald Hecox is back to golfing and hanging out with the family’s corgis, thanks to a new bladder cancer treatment developed here.

When Gerald found out he was eligible for the PPM trial, he signed up immediately.

“I’d been treated three times before, but the cancer kept coming back,” Gerald said. “My doctor referred me to UC Davis to have my bladder removed. I wasn’t going to do that without putting up a fight.”

Just six weeks after starting treatment in July 2025, his scans showed no sign of bladder cancer. So far, three out of four patients have complete remission of their tumors at the first-dose level of the trial.

Learn more about the new trial: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/new-drug-developed-at-uc-davis-offers-hope-to-bladder-cancer-patients/2025/11

Image Descriptions:
1: A person wearing a white polo and black pants stands on a golf course with a putter in hand. A dog sits next to them.

2: A health care professional wearing a white coat is seated in a medical exam room, holding a blood pressure cuff while speaking with a patient who is sitting on the exam table. In the background, another person is seated on a chair near the wall.

3: A person wearing a white lab coat and teal gloves is working in a laboratory. The individual is holding a clear plastic container with multiple compartments, possibly for samples or reagents. Surrounding the person are scientific instruments.

11/16/2025

Pediatric ICU nurse Christine Lichti's life and career were profoundly impacted by corneal disease. At just 25, she received corneal transplants in both eyes thanks to the generosity of a donor.

“Thanks to my donors and their families, I can now drive to work safely, enjoy a sunny day in the snow or at the lake, and even watch fireworks — all things I couldn’t do before," Christine said.

Every November, Eye Donation Month honors the heroes who make these miracles possible.

“Everyone can be a hero through donation,” said Christine. “By becoming a donor, you’re leaving the ultimate legacy.”

Learn how you can become a donor: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/cornea-recipient-shares-journey-gratitude-during-eye-donation-month/2025/11

Photos courtesy of Eye Bank Association of America.

Image Descriptions:
1: A close-up view of an eye examination in progress using a slit lamp machine. The equipment includes multiple lenses and adjustment k***s, and a person’s hands are visible operating the device. The setting appears to be a clinical environment.

2: Two people are standing outdoors in front of a scenic backdrop of trees and snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky. One person is wearing a dark blue jacket and a wide-brimmed hat. The other person is wearing a bright green fleece pullover.

3: Two individuals walking outdoors on a paved pathway surrounded by green trees and grass. One person is wearing a dark uniform with a stethoscope around the neck, and the other is dressed in a white shirt and dark pants. The background shows a sunny day with buildings partially visible.

11/15/2025

When Kayleen and Zeke Delgado were told they had virtually no chance of conceiving naturally, their hearts sank, but their faith never wavered. After a heartbreaking miscarriage, they kept believing, hoping and praying.

Then came the surprise of a lifetime.

Not only did Kayleen become pregnant again, but an ultrasound at our hospital revealed not one, but four babies. Naturally conceived quadruplets, including three identical girls and one fraternal boy. A one-in-a-million miracle.

With expert care from our high-risk pregnancy team and the incredible NICU staff, Kayleen delivered Fern, Jane, Kit and Royal at just 29 weeks. Each baby weighed under 2.5 pounds, and all four spent time in intensive care.

Nearly six months later, all four babies were thriving at home, each with their own unique personality.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome,” Kayleen said. “UC Davis took great care of us. We are blessed and grateful.”

Learn more about their miracle here: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/naturally-conceived-quadruplets-born-at-uc-davis-childrens-hospital/2025/05

Image Descriptions:
1: Four infants lay on a white blanket wearing matching onesies that say "Bill's Wheels Skate Shop."

2: A collage of two images, the left image shows an infant lying in a white cushioned bassinet, wrapped snugly in a brown swaddle blanket at home with two children in the background smiling at the camera. The right image is three infants in car seats, each covered with patterned blankets. Two people smile at the camera behind them.

3: A large group of medical professionals is gathered in a brightly lit hospital room. They are wearing green surgical scrubs, blue disposable hair covers, and purple gloves.

11/14/2025

GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound, are increasingly becoming more common. As health officials move to significantly expand access to these treatments for people with diabetes and obesity, we're diving into the metabolic health impacts that go far beyond the scale.

Learn how GLP-1s work and what you need to know about them: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/health-wellness/glp-1-and-health-beyond-weight-loss-in-the-ozempic-era/2025/11

Image Description: A close-up view of a person’s upper arm as they administer an injection using a blue pen. The pen is pressed against the skin, and the person’s hand is holding it firmly.

11/13/2025

Knee pain can make everyday life difficult. Walking, climbing stairs or even standing for long periods can become painful. But how do you know if it’s the right time for knee replacement surgery?

Learn about the questions you should ask yourself and your doctor about the common procedure:

An orthopaedic surgeon shares guidance about how to decide whether knee replacement surgery is the right choice for you, as well as what the procedure and recovery involve.

11/13/2025

Where’s Waldo figurines are being hidden around our California Tower construction for our pediatric patients to find!

A construction project at UC Davis Medical Center features a hidden Waldo figure to bring joy to children at nearby hospitals.

11/12/2025

Family caregiving means providing unpaid care to someone close to you. It could be a parent, spouse, partner or friend. They may need assistance with daily living, health care appointments, transportation or emotional support.

But many caregivers are left unsupported. This National Family Caregivers Month, it's important to honor those who give so much to care for others.

Learn how caregivers can navigate the care system, protect their own health and mental health and find caregiving resources: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/how-can-i-stay-healthy-while-caring-for-a-family-member-or-friend-resources-and-tips-to-help-caregi/2025/11

Caring for a family member or friend can be rewarding — but also overwhelming. Our experts offer practical tips, expert advice and trusted resources to support you on your caregiving journey.

11/12/2025

A new study found that those who struggle with generalized anxiety disorder have lower levels of choline in their brains, an essential nutrient vital for brain functions like memory, mood regulation and muscle control.

Meanwhile, most Americans don't get enough of the nutrient from their diet since the body makes a small amount of it. Researchers say a healthy diet is essential for all aspects of health.

Learn about the foods you can eat that are rich in choline:

UC Davis Health researchers found that levels of choline, an essential nutrient, are about 8% lower in the brains of people with anxiety disorders.