UC Davis Medical Center

01/03/2026

Welcome to the world, Kamren! 🎉

Baby Boy Kamren was one of our first New Years babies, born on 1/2/2026 to parents Brad and Judy at 💛

01/02/2026

For the third year, faculty from the Division of Gastroenterology led a multidisciplinary team to Rwanda this fall for Rwanda Endoscopy Week.

Teams, including 9 of our staff, performed more than 1,100 endoscopic procedures at seven clinical sites and provided hands-on training for local nurses, physicians and fellows.

“This trip is truly a testament to team collaboration, with every participant playing a critical role,” said nurse Arlina Aviles. “More than anything, I am appreciative of the interdisciplinary work as well as the educational exchange that came from working alongside our Rwandan colleagues.”

Thanks to funding from the UC Davis Global Health Seed Grant, the team also conducted Rwanda’s first nationwide study of Helicobacter pylori infection, which is a major step toward understanding the prevalence and impact of this common gastrointestinal pathogen.

These efforts expand access to gastroenterology care and strengthen sustainable health systems through education and research around the world.

Image descriptions:
1: A group of people is standing outdoors in front of a large sign for Butaro Hospital. The group is dressed in a mix of medical scrubs and professional attire, and they are standing on a grassy area with trees in the background.

2: Several individuals are standing indoors in a clinical setting. They are wearing light yellow protective gowns, gloves and surgical masks. Behind them are medical curtains and equipment.

3: A large group of people is standing together in a brightly lit indoor space with cream-colored walls and a polished floor. The group is dressed in a mix of casual and professional clothing, and they are posed closely together for a group photo.

12/29/2025

2025 was a great year for our health system! To recap, here are some of our top highlights from the year.

Image descriptions:
1: A UC Davis Health tent with employees in front of it with text that reads 'Year in Review 2025.'
2: Group of people at a ribbon cutting for 48X with text that reads '48X, one of the nation's largest outpatient surgery centers, now open.'
3: An individual in a laboratory with text that reads 'From Labs to Lives. Real research. Real people. Real impact.'
4: Mark Rosenblatt stands in a suit, smiling at the camera with text that reads 'Mark Rosenblatt named new vice chancellor of human health sciences.'
5: A group of people sitting at Terra Madre Americas demonstration with text that reads 'Terra Madre Americas festival showcases UC Davis Health culinary expertise.'
6: A group of people smile at the camera in the lobby of the UC Davis Children's Hospital with text that reads 'Baby boom at UC Davis Children's Hospital after record year for births.'
7: The lobby of the new clinic with a large group of people standing on the steps with text that reads 'Folsom Medical Care Clinic opens its doors.'
8: A group of people wearing pink in front of a white bus with text that reads 'MobileMammo+ bus launches to aid underserved communities.'
9: An altered image of a Peregrine Falcon with hundreds of eggs pouring out of a nest with text that reads 'April Fools! Our Peregrine Falcon sets record for most eggs laid in one season.'
10: Families smile at the camera with text that reads 'CuRe Trial helps patients live their best life.'
11: Group of students in white coats smile at each other with text that reads 'Celebrating 20 years of TEACH at the School of Medicine.'
12: Outside photos of Aggie Square with text that reads 'Sacramento innovation district comes to life with labs, classrooms at Aggie Square.'

12/26/2025

Our amazing teams at 48X took on a special holiday challenge: decorate a gingerbread house, and WOW, they delivered!

Special congratulations to the Operating Room team for their winning entry! 🏆

Image Descriptions:

1: Operating room team standing in front of their decorated gingerbread house.

2: Gingerbread house decorated to look like 48X with UC Davis Health logo on it.

3: Gingerbread house decorated with a graham cracker sign on top that says "Welcome to 48X."

4: Gingerbread house with red sign that says "The Heart of the Hospital SPD".

5: Gingerbread house decorated with white and green mint walkway with tiny pool and snowman.

12/26/2025

Each December, our hospital transforms into a holiday “superstore,” lovingly set up by our Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team. Families have the opportunity to “shop” at no cost, choosing toys and gifts, enjoying complimentary gift‑wrapping and sharing refreshments.

Thank you to our Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team and the generous donors who make this magic possible! ✨

Image descriptions:
1: A person hands a circular tag across a table covered with toys at the holiday workshop.

2: Two people browse a large table filled with colorful toys and games at the holiday workshop.

3: A display of assorted toys and games, including plush characters, board games and craft kits.

4: Volunteers wrap presents with festive paper at the holiday workshop.

12/23/2025

'Tis the season for holiday cheer and joyful decorations! 🎄

We invited faculty and staff to show off their holiday decorations, both at work and at home.

"Christmas will always be my favorite holiday. This is how I show my team all my appreciation for them, by decorating the whole suite and making it festive during December," said Monica Sanchez of our Department of Risk Management.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your holiday magic with us!

Image descriptions:
1: A festive office reception desk decorated with a ‘Merry Christmas’ banner, green garland, colorful ornaments and a large red bow.

2: A small desk Christmas tree with red and gold ornaments and a red star topper, surrounded by colorful string lights and mini stockings.

3: A kitchen counter display with vintage-style Santa mugs, a “Season’s Greetings” Santa sign, a red plaid thermos and a vase of red flowers.

4: A small blue crochet Christmas tree decorated with colorful beads and topped with a yellow star, sitting next to two cute plush figures in bunny costumes and festive cartoon cutouts in the background.

5: A collage of red cardinal bird ornaments wearing tiny hats, displayed on a Christmas tree.

6: A frosted Christmas tree decorated with toy trucks, racing ribbons, and family photos, next to a green stocking and framed holiday portrait.

7: A festive hot chocolate bar setup with trays of cookies and pastries on a plaid tablecloth, and a chalkboard sign reading “Warm Up at the Hot Chocolate Bar.”

8: A gray Christmas gnome with a tall textured hat and long white beard sitting on an office desk next to a phone.

9: A clear ornament filled with white feathers and two silver charms with heartfelt messages, hanging on a red and silver tinsel tree.

10: A slim Christmas tree with silver and red ornaments and a silver star topper, placed in an office corner with framed quotes on the wall.

11: A rustic fireplace mantel decorated with wooden trees, pinecones, and a round mirror, with colorful Christmas stockings hanging below.

12: A Christmas tree adorned with bright rainbow-colored ornaments and topped with a gold star.

13: Two office doors decorated with wreaths and bows, and a large wall wreath surrounded by red stockings and pinecones.

12/19/2025

For the 18th year, our volunteers made Thanksgiving brighter for hospice patients and their families.

The day before Thanksgiving, volunteers picked up the meals, which included everything for a traditional holiday meal, and personally delivered them to families nominated by hospice staff.

“The hospice families all loved receiving the Thanksgiving meal. They were grateful that they could focus on quality time with their family instead of the stress of shopping and cooking,” said social worker Nancy Quigley.

This year, thanks to a grant from Raley's, the entire project was funded, allowing volunteers to deliver around two dozen meals to families in need.

Thank you to our incredible volunteers who made this tradition possible!

Image description: A group of individuals stand in a grocery store holding various items including pumpkin pie and bags of bread.

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

Our CARE Project offers patients, families and their caregivers peace and creativity during challenging times through art therapy, Reiki, pet therapy and more.

For one patient and her family, the CARE Project team provided comfort, compassion and a way to connect in Judy Lines' final days. Her family was so moved, they created a memorial fund to support the program.

“Katie and The CARE Project team gave to her what my mother so freely gave to others: compassion, connection and community,” Christa Roberts, Judy Lines' daughter said. “It was such a beautiful way for her to spend her last days receiving so much warmth and love from such kindhearted humans like Katie.”

The generous donation helped train four practitioners in touch therapy for future patients. The CARE Project has provided over 1,400 sessions this year.

Learn more about how the CARE Project helps our patients: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/program-that-brings-comfort-and-joy-to-patients-at-uc-davis-medical-center-inspires-donation/2025/12

Image descriptions:
1: A dog sets their head on a patient in a hospital bed.

2: Judy Lines at UC Davis Medical Center sits in a hospital bed.

3: Katie Lorain helps a patient with art therapy at the bedside.

12/17/2025

Our Veterans Employee Association (VEA) joined volunteers at Sacramento Valley Veterans Cemetery in Dixon to lay wreaths and speak the names of fallen service members. This solemn tradition ensures no veteran is forgotten.

VEA members joined volunteers from across the region, surrounded by rows of headstones and the weight of history. The act itself was simple, but its meaning was profound: showing up with the intention of honoring those who served.

During the ceremony, third-generation veteran and VEA Chair Miles Thorne offered remarks that resonated deeply with attendees. He spoke about the importance of presence, of continuing to show up even when it is inconvenient, cold or emotionally heavy. He emphasized that remembrance is not passive; it is an intentional choice to pause, reflect and acknowledge the lives behind each name.

VEA’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to honoring veterans not only within UC Davis Health but also in the broader community.

Image descriptions:
1: A group of people standing together under a blue UC Davis Health canopy on a foggy day at the Sacramento Valley Veterans Cemetery in Dixon.

2: A group of people gathered outdoors near a concrete stage where someone is speaking at a podium. Several people are seated on the steps, and a red and white flag is visible in the crowd. Trees with autumn leaves and a cloudy sky are in the background.

12/15/2025

Please join us in congratulating Emma Blackmon, PhD, RN, CCRN, director of nursing excellence, patient care services, on her DAISY Foundation Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators!

Emma's colleagues praise her as an inspiring mentor and expert educator whose impact is felt throughout UC Davis Health.

From one of four nominations total:

“I am writing to honor and nominate Emma Blackmon for the Educator Daisy Award.

My relationship with Emma began when she became the critical care educator eight years ago. At the time, I was a Clinical Resource Nurse in the CTICU. This provided me with close proximity to Emma. She was always available for questions and willing to take me under her wing to help with class education and skills day.

Emma was (and remains) a huge asset and advocate for critical care nurses. During her time as the critical care educator, Emma oversaw and created learning opportunities and advancements for not only the ICU nurses, but also for nurses and ancillary staff throughout the hospital.

During this time, some of the larger projects Emma oversaw included code blue training, the annual ICU Skills Day, Safe Patient Handling education, Alaris pump integration, and the development of the ICU new grad float pool onboarding program (aka Critical Care Fellowship).

The Critical Care Fellowship program she co-created is a highly sought position for new grads to be accepted into. Emma has published an article reflecting on the program's successes and she assumed the role of instructor for many existing classes but brought her knowledge, experience, and vision to improve upon the existing classes.

As with previous Daisy Award recipients, Emma is humble, kind, and puts the needs of others ahead of her own. She built trusting relationships with many health care practitioners throughout the hospital, setting the pace to justify the need for a second critical care educator.

At the end of 2021, I was provided with the opportunity to work closely with Emma as an additional critical care educator. Again, she provided me with opportunities, respect, and encouragement as I grew in the new position. Emma is not only a valuable resource, but also my mentor and good friend. Since becoming a critical care educator, I have grown close with Emma, and I am honored to nominate her for the inaugural Educator Daisy Award. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this meaningful nomination.”

Congratulations, Emma, on your DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators!

Image Descriptions:
1: Emma Blackmon holds a framed DAISY Award certificate while standing in front of a banner with a large daisy graphic and the word “Congratulations.”

2: A large group of people gathered in a meeting room, posing together for a group photo. A presentation screen is visible in the background.

3: Four individuals standing in front of a decorative backdrop with large white and yellow flower balloons and a sign that says “Congratulations.”

12/12/2025

Sisters have a built-in best friend for life, and it's even more special when they work together.

Meet the Robles sisters, Rue, Rosheena and Raissa, three sisters who work together at UC Davis Health. Not only are they siblings, but they're also all nurses. Talk about family tradition!

“Working with my sisters as nurses in the same hospital is both fun and really exciting. We get to share not just our profession, but our daily routines: carpooling to work, grabbing lunch together and supporting each other through the ups and downs of each shift. It’s rare to experience your career alongside the people you grew up with, and it makes every day feel a little lighter and a lot more meaningful," said Rue West, RN NICU.

“I love working together! There’s something special about working in the same hospital as my sisters. Even on different units, we’re still each other’s safety net, cheerleaders and built-in support system. Same mission, same heart, just different hallways," said Rosheena Atashkadeh, RN 48X PACU.

“It’s true when they say work is more fun when working with your best friends. We’re already connected genetically but working together connects us on a different level. We can relate with one another about the craziness a 12-hr shift brings but also enjoy the rewards that comes with this profession," said Raissa Hernandez, RN NSICU.

On top of all that, they also have a cousin who works in radiology and one of their husbands works in patient transport!

Image Description: Rosheena Atashkadeh (left), Raissa Hernandez (middle) and Rue West (right) wear blue scrubs with UC Davis Health logos. They are standing in front of a window.