Bone marrow transplantation — or, more accurately, stem cell transplantation — is now standard therapy for some cancers and blood disorders.

The UC Davis Bone Marrow Transplant Program performed the capital region's first bone marrow transplant in 1993. Today the program serves both adults and children, and is the largest and most experienced of its kind in inland Northern California. It is the region's only National Marrow Donor Transplant Program, an advantage that gives our patients access to potential donors worldwide.

We perform autologous transplants and both matched-related and matched-unrelated donor allogeneic transplants. With a transplant team that includes specialists in all areas of bone marrow transplantation, our success rates meet or exceed national averages.

Our excellence in cancer care is reflected in our designation by the National Cancer Institute, the nation’s top cancer organization. Only 60 other cancer centers nationwide have successfully competed for this designation, a mark of the highest standards and achievements in cancer research and treatment.

Transplants take place in the UC Davis Medical Center's main hospital, at 2315 Stockton Blvd., across the street from the Cancer Center. The hospital:

• is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top 50 hospitals
• boasts an all-R.N. nursing staff and one of the best nurse-patient ratios in the country
• is home to UC Davis Children's Hospital, a "hospital within a hospital" that provides the region's best care for seriously ill children

Before, during and after a hospital stay, our patients can count on consistent, close contact with both their doctor and a nurse coordinator. In addition, a registered dietitian is available to provide nutritional support. Social workers can provide emotional support, assistance with health insurance issues, and help with arranging temporary housing at or near the medical center for family members while a patient is in the hospital.

After the transplant, adult patients go to the Cancer Center for their follow-up appointments. Pediatric patients are seen in the nearby Glassrock Building, at 2521 Stockton Blvd.

Carol M. Richman, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology
Director, Stem Cell Transplant Program

Douglas Taylor, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Director, Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program

Joseph M. Tuscano, M.D.
Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology

Ted Wun, M.D.
Vice Chief of Hematology and Oncology
Director of CTSC Clinical Research Center
Professor of Medicine, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Theodore Zwerdling, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Kristine Ahlberg, R.N.
Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator
Oncology-Certified Nurse
Certified Hematopoietic Transplant Coordinator

Judy Downing, R.N.
Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator
Oncology-Certified Nurse

Dianne Padovan, R.N.
Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator
Oncology-Certified Nurse

Kay Wells, R.N.
Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator
Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse

Phone: (916) 703-5210 Toll-free: (800) 362-5566

Updated 7/2007.