UC Davis Medical Center

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UC Davis Medical Center

Health highlights, tips, events, news and more from UC Davis Health and UC Davis Medical Center. This page is generally managed Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. PST - 5 p.m.

For questions and appointment requests, please call 800-2-UCDAVIS or visit medicalcenter.ucdavis.edu. PST. (!) Please note that we cannot answer health-related questions or book appointments or referrals for health care through Facebook or social media. To learn more about choosing UC Davis as your health care provider, please contact our Consumer Resource Center at 800-2-UCDAVIS (1-800-282-3284) or visit us on the web at medicalgroup.ucdavis.edu, medicalcenter.ucdavis.edu or physicians.ucdavis.edu. If you are an existing UC Davis patient and have a question, please contact your provider's office directly, or call our Consumer Resource Center at 800-2-UCDAVIS (1-800-282-3284). If you are an existing UC Davis patient with a concern, please contact our Patient Relations department at 916-734-9777 or 800-305-6540. To learn more about our Patient Relations liaisons, visit www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/patient_relations. Please respect and follow our social media rules of engagement: http://healthsystem.ucdavis.edu/welcome/socialmedia/index.html

ABOUT US

UC Davis Medical Center is a comprehensive academic medical center where clinical practice, teaching and research converge to advance health. The medical center serves a 33-county, 65,000-square-mile area that stretches north to the Oregon border and east to Nevada. It further extends its reach through the award-winning telemedicine program, which gives remote, medically underserved communities throughout California unprecedented access to specialty and subspecialty care. Centers of excellence include the region's only level 1 pediatric and adult trauma centers; the National Cancer Institute-designated UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center; the UC Davis Children's Hospital; the UC Davis MIND Institute, devoted to finding treatments and cures for neurodevelopmental disorders; and more. About UC Davis Medical Center (website)
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/medicalcenter

About UC Davis Health System (website)
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/aboutus

Twitter: http://twitter.com/UCDavisHealth
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/uc-davis-health-system
Google+: https://plus.google.com/105202101387315180526
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UCDavisHealth

02/11/2026

Join us in congratulating our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team on their silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence!

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) gives the award to top hospital units where nurses can drive clinical excellence and provide high-quality patient care.

“Congratulations to our AACN Beacon teams for showing what nurses can do when we practice in a healthy work environment. This meaningful recognition is more than a point of pride; it demonstrates a commitment to cultivating a thriving workplace, one in which nurses and other team members are empowered to make their optimal contributions," said AACN President Rebekah Marsh.

Learn more about what the honor means to our PICU: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-picu-honored-with-silver-beacon-award-for-excellence/2026/02

Image descriptions:
1: Two health care professionals pose next to a tall congratulatory banner displayed in a hospital hallway. Silver star balloons and blue decorations surround the banner, and both individuals smile as they stand on either side of it.

2: A large group of PICU staff members and hospital leadership stand and kneel together in a hospital room decorated with silver star balloons and celebratory signs. Many people wear blue clothing, and a small therapy dog sits at the front of the group.

3: A group of health care professionals stand in front of a large congratulatory banner surrounded by silver star balloons. Several people hold blue and silver pom‑poms.

4: Four health care professionals are holding large bouquets of flowers wrapped in paper. They are positioned side by side in front of shelving.

02/10/2026

“I’m so glad I was referred to cardiac rehab. I wish I had started sooner; I’d be even better off today. I feel so much more confident about my health now.”

Gene Pendergast knew he needed to exercise more, but our 12-week cardiac rehab program taught him much more.

With guidance from the team, he learned how to exercise safely, eat in a heart-healthy way and manage stress. Those changes helped him lower his heart risk, reduce symptoms and regain his confidence, all without new medications or procedures.

“Success stories like Gene’s are the result of the hard work of our cardiac rehab team, who give patient‑centered care to every person in the program,” said cardiologist Javier E. López.

Learn how our cardiac rehab team supports patients every step of the way: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/building-stronger-hearts-uc-davis-healths-cardiac-rehab/2026/02

Image description: Patient Gene Pendergast (left) and cardiologist Javier E. López (right) stand, smiling at each other. They stand outside in front of a building. Both are wearing suits.

02/09/2026

The final steel beam for the California Tower was lifted into place last week, marking a major milestone for the project!

Our leaders, project partners and community representatives gathered for a topping out ceremony to recognize the planning, expertise and teamwork that have brought the tower to this point.

Before the beam was lifted into place, attendees signed it to create a lasting reminder of their contributions.

“A topping out is a chance for us to pause and recognize how far we’ve come. There’s still work ahead, but today shows our vision is becoming real. We can now see the future, and it is incredibly inspiring," said Mike Condrin, interim chief executive officer.

Learn more about how the California Tower will expand our services: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/california-tower-reaches-new-heights-at-topping-out-ceremony/2026/02

Image descriptions:
1: Mark Rosenblatt, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences, signs a construction beam alongside another person. Both are in suits at the construction site.

2: From left to right, Interim COO Kimberly Bleichner-Jones, Interim CEO Mike Condrin and Chief Nursing Executive, Christine Williams stand in a row, smiling at the camera, the construction beam behind them.

3: UC Davis Chancellor Gary May smiles while signing the construction beam, wearing a suit.

4: A steel beam sits in front of a construction site, signatures in multiple colored pens are written across the beam.

5: A group of people stands outdoors along a fenced construction area, several people are looking upward and taking photos of the steel beam being lifted.

6: Three people stand in front of the construction site, posing in front of a steel beam that sits on tall metal sawhorses. A life-size cutout of "Where's Waldo" is beside them, and a large “California Tower Topping Out” banner hangs above them.

7: A large group of attendees gathers for a group photo in front of the California Tower construction site. They stand side by side, smiling, with the signed final steel beam.

02/04/2026

Many people are surprised to learn that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. It causes more deaths each year than all forms of cancer combined.

Heart disease also does not look the same in women and men. Women often experience symptoms that are more subtle and easier to overlook. Even mild‑seeming signs can be dangerous.

Learn the warning signs of a heart attack in women: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/heart-disease-in-women-key-symptoms-risk-factors-and-prevention-tips/2026/02

Image description: A group of women wearing red stand on a staircase in the shape of a heart.

02/03/2026

Emilio was a toddler when his parents noticed he wasn’t getting the oxygen he needed when he slept. They knew they needed to find the right pediatric specialists to help their son.

Emilio’s family met with pulmonologist Dr. Kiran Nandalike and respiratory therapist Audrey Chikalla. A sleep study determined Emilio had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. Emilio also has Down syndrome. Individuals with Down syndrome are much more likely to have OSA than those without.

The team determined Emilio needed surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids, the first line of treatment for OSA in children. Thanks to the surgeries, Emilio’s sleep apnea improved for many years. But when he began having trouble again, his medical team decided that Emilio would benefit from CPAP treatment, or continuous positive airway pressure.

Now a consistent CPAP user, Emilio enjoys better sleep and better days!

More of Emilio's story:
https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/sleep-apnea-treatment-improves-quality-of-life-for-redding-teen/2025/09

Image descriptions:
1: A young patient sits on an exam table in a clinic room wearing a striped shirt and shorts. A UC Davis Health staff member stands beside the patient. Medical equipment is mounted on the wall behind them.

2: A young patient wearing a striped shirt hugs an adult outdoors in a shaded walkway area. The adult holds a handbag and embraces the patient warmly.

3: A young patient sits cross‑legged on an exam table while using a breathing tube connected to medical equipment. A UC Davis Health staff member stands beside the patient, monitoring the process.

02/02/2026

Our favorite resident peregrine falcons are back!

The long‑returning raptors marked their first visit of the new season to the nest atop our medical center. Last year, we saw five eggs and four adorable hatchlings. Expect chick season to start in late April!

Watch the live camera: https://health.ucdavis.edu/welcome/peregrine-falcon/

Image description: A peregrine falcon inspects its rooftop nest atop the UC Davis Medical Center. A sign above the nest has a photo of a falcon and text that reads "Peregrine falcons est. 2016."

01/30/2026

Mental health conditions can affect women and men differently. For many women, certain life stages, including pregnancy, postpartum and menopause can bring unique mental health challenges.

Knowing when to seek help is imperative.

What you should know about anxiety and depression in women: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/womens-mental-health-what-to-know-about-anxiety-and-depression-in-women-and-how-to-get-help/2026/01

Image description: Two people sitting close together. One person is holding a clipboard and gently reaching out to offer support by placing a hand on the other person’s clasped hands.

01/29/2026

We're thrilled to share that Virpal Donley has been promoted to the position of UC Davis Children's Hospital vice president and associate chief nursing executive!

Previously, Virpal served as the inpatient unit director and nurse manager of the Pediatric and Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PICU/PCICU) and Critical Care Transport Team.

Her new role reflects our institution’s commitment to strong nursing leadership and to delivering exceptional care to the children and families we serve.

“Virpal has demonstrated outstanding leadership, a deep commitment to nursing practice and a passion for fostering the care of our critical pediatric patients in her 15 years of progressive leadership of the PICU/PCICU and Critical Care Transport Team,” said Christine Williams, chief nursing executive and chief nursing informatics officer. “Her commitment has been instrumental in advancing clinical outcomes, building multidisciplinary programs, supporting professional development and fostering a culture of excellence within the Children’s Hospital.”

Please join us in congratulating Virpal on her new role!

Image description: Virpal Donley wears a black and white patterned blouse and smiles in front of a blurred outdoor area.

01/28/2026

Congratulations to Sue Won, MSN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, on receiving a DAISY Foundation Award for her extraordinary compassion, attentiveness and support of a patient and their family during their hospital stay!

From the nomination:

“Nurse Practitioner (NP) Sue went above and beyond, helping us navigate a very difficult time. She wasn't a nurse assigned to me, but was on the floor I was on. I hadn’t eaten in 10 days and was able to start having popsicles. We didn't want to bother my nurse with wanting a popsicle when NP Sue stopped and asked if I needed anything ... she was quick to bring me a popsicle or ice chips and became more than an acquaintance.

We were approaching the long-awaited surgery the following day when ‘the team’ came in with all the paperwork and necessary conversations. That was very overwhelming and stressful for me and my family. As my wife paced the halls, NP Sue walked with her and comforted her in the process and encouraged her in Dr. Alexopoulos' abilities for the surgery to be successful.

She was so reassuring and comforting for us to face the days ahead. NP Sue was off the following week but when she came back, she saw we were back in ICU due to a GI bleed. She walked in my ICU room with a smile and a hug for my wife which blessed us more than words.

NP Sue continued to check on us and walk us through the days ahead. She was a bright light to our family during such a stressful time.”

Congratulations, Sue, on your DAISY Award! 🌼

Image descriptions:
1: Sue Won stands in front of a colorful mural holding a framed certificate for a DAISY Award. Behind them is a tall banner that reads “Congratulations” with a large daisy graphic.

2: Dr. Diana Farmer and Sue Won smile in front of a banner that reads "Congratulations" and has two white and yellow daisy graphics.

3: A large group of people gathers in front of a colorful mural for a celebratory group photo. The DAISY Award recipient holds their certificate at the center of the group. Behind them is a banner that reads “Congratulations” with a daisy graphic.

01/23/2026

Congratulations to Minali Patel, BSN, RN, from East 5 Neuroscience on receiving a DAISY Foundation Award for her vigilance, persistence and unwavering advocacy for her patient!

Her skills and decisive actions during a critical change in a patient’s neurological condition exemplify the compassion, professionalism and excellence in nursing that define our health system.

From the nomination:

“I would like to nominate Minali Patel for the DAISY Award for the extraordinary care and dedication she demonstrated during a critical situation with her patient.

The patient had started the day in their normal state, eating breakfast without difficulty and actively participating with physical therapy. However, within just an hour, the patient developed significant weakness and new neurological changes. Minali immediately recognized these subtle but serious signs and quickly notified the physician and persistently advocated for her patient.

Minali promptly called for a CT scan, escalated her concerns to the charge nurse, and when the patient required a higher level of care, she initiated a rapid response to facilitate a safe and timely transfer to the ICU. Her vigilance, persistence, and unwavering advocacy ensured that the patient received the urgent attention and interventions they needed.

Minali’s actions exemplify the highest standards of nursing. She combined her clinical expertise with courage and persistence, advocating fiercely for her patient in a moment that could have changed the outcome. Her dedication and quick response made a critical difference and reflected the true spirit of the DAISY Award.”

Congratulations, Minali, on your DAISY Award! 🌼

Image descriptions:
1: A person stands in a hallway holding a framed certificate for a DAISY Award. Behind them is a tall banner that reads “Congratulations” with a large daisy graphic.
2: Four people stand together in a hospital hallway. The person in the center holds a DAISY Award certificate, and another person beside them holds a bouquet of yellow flowers. A “Congratulations” banner with a daisy graphic is displayed behind them.
3: A large group of people gather in a hospital hallway for a celebratory group photo. The DAISY Award recipient holds their certificate at the center of the group. Behind them is a banner that reads “Congratulations” with a daisy graphic.

01/22/2026

Earlier this week, Kimmie Bleichner-Jones, Interim Chief Operating Officer, and Annie Reyes-Salgado, Vice President of Support Services, presented the POP Award to Mindee Lilley, a patient navigator for Guest Relations.

"I’m grateful to be here today to show our appreciation for Mindee, whose swift action, calm presence and compassion supported a patient in crisis and helped keep them safe during an extremely stressful situation," said Annie.

The POP Award recognizes that every day, countless actions of empathy and kindness, large and small, take place across our health system.

The nomination reads:

"Mindee was assisting our Guest Relations staff in the Emergency Department, as the volume was very high and increasing as the day went on. A guest approached window #4 to alert our team that a patient had just experienced a seizure in the adult waiting room. Mindee approached the guest to check in with him and see if he needed medical attention.

The patient explained that he had epilepsy and that he believed he just had a seizure in his seat. Mindee acted quickly to find a clinician to help the patient before his symptoms worsened. A nurse approached the patient, asked him a few questions and went back into triage.

Mindee did not leave the patient's side to ensure he was taken care of. After a few minutes, the patient began seizing again. Mindee immediately responded and made sure the patient didn't fall out of his chair. She called another clinician for backup, and the care team responded to the patient in the waiting room. Mindee's attention to detail and swift response to the medical emergency prevented further harm to the patient.

She truly exemplified our organization's core values through teamwork and collaboration, fostering a safe environment that encourages growth and wellness. As a level 1 trauma center, these situations can be tense and complex to understand and handle, especially in a non-clinical role. Mindee did an amazing job keeping the situation under control and showing empathy for our patients, the guests around her and the staff working in the Emergency Department. Way to go, Mindee!"

Congratulations to Mindee on her POP Award!

Image descriptions:
1: Three people stand indoors. The person in the center holds a small glass award. The person on the right holds a printed certificate titled “Point of Pride Award.” Behind them is a blue sign featuring the words “POP Awards.”

2: A large group of people are gathered, smiling at the camera. They stand in front of a colorful abstract artwork mounted on an orange wall. In front of the group is a standing sign that reads “POP Awards. Congratulations!"

01/20/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences, Mark Rosenblatt, M.D., Ph.D, MBA, MHA!

“It’s amazing to be back,” Rosenblatt said. “I know how much UC Davis and UC Davis Health mean to Californians. It is such an important fixture, being the only academic medical center in this part of California. It is a huge responsibility, but also, of course, a huge privilege.”

Rosenblatt began his academic career at UC Davis in 2005 as an assistant professor of ophthalmology and vision science, splitting his time between research in Davis and clinical care in Sacramento.

Before joining us, Rosenblatt brings a distinguished record as a clinician-scientist and academic health leader, having spent the last decade at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Image description:
Mark Rosenblatt stands smiling at the camera in a suit, with the UC Davis Health campus in the background.

Address

4301 X Street
Sacramento, CA
95817

Website

http://medicalcenter.ucdavis.edu/

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