The twelfth annual Serotonin Surge charity golf tournament was held at the Teal Bend Golf Club on September 16th and raised a total of $50,000 for the UC Davis School of Medicine's network of student run community clinics, Dr. Ernie Bodai’s Cure Breast Cancer organization, and the Maggi Carlile Memorial Scholarship Fund. The $25,000 donation to the School of Medicine was made in honor of Amy Jouan who was recognized for her visionary and passionate leadership of the student clinics.
Click for more information>> 

Click for more information>>

Unique memorial service includes medical students and donor family members
(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — UC Davis School of Medicine students from the Class of 2011 have planned what will likely be the largest memorial service in the school’s history to honor individuals who have donated their bodies to support medical research and education.

An estimated 750 students, faculty members and donor families are expected to attend the memorial ceremonies on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis. The event, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., includes a reading of the first names of donors, musical performances by students (guitar, piano, violin and voice) and refreshments.

"The study of anatomy has given me more than just knowledge of the structures of the body. I walk away with a deeper appreciation for life,” said Sahar Doctorvaladan, a second-year medical student at UC Davis and one of the coordinators of the event. “As we move forward in our education, we must strive to remain empathetic and compassionate with our patients, and we are deeply indebted and grateful to the families who donated the ultimate gift for the sake of our learning.”

Medical students work with human cadavers in the first semester of their first year of training at the School of Medicine in the gross anatomy lab. Over the course of six months, students conduct dissections from the chest through the abdomen, pelvis, head and neck to the limbs to learn about body structures in a way that they cannot be done through a textbook or computerized graphics. Cadavers also are used in research laboratories to better understand disease. They also play an important role in emergency medicine and other specialty care training, where physicians must practice new surgical techniques to save lives.

“This ceremony is a way for us to show respect for the donors and gratitude to their families,” said Doctorvaladan. “Our anatomy class takes us on a journey and is a unique experience.”

UC Davis anatomy classes are unique opportunities for students to learn what the human body looks like both inside and out. The goal is not only to learn anatomy, but also to develop a genuine appreciation and respect for the individuals who have donated their bodies. In some respects, donated bodies are a medical student’s first patient.

Students say it is not uncommon to write notes and poems of appreciation in honor of the once-living individuals who have enabled them to learn about human anatomy and had a powerful impact on their lives.

“Many of my first life lessons at medical school were learned inside the anatomy lab,” said Meghan McClure, another second-year medical student who is helping coordinate the memorial event. “Although I knew nothing about my cadaver except her age and probable cause of death, I mourned her after our final exam and came back to the lab, held her hand and cried. I was so thankful for the educational opportunity she had given me.”

The Donated Body Program at UC Davis School of Medicine receives donations from throughout Northern California. Established in 1968, the program receives approximately 150 donations each year. The school uses about 30 for its anatomy classes, with the rest used by other UC Davis departments or distributed for scientific and medical research to other colleges and institutions that do not have donor programs.

For more information about the donation process, call 916-734-9560, e-mail DBPinfo@ucdavis.edu or visit the UC Davis Donated Body Program at www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cellbio/donatedbodyprogram/.

UC Davis School of Medicine is among the nation's leading medical schools, recognized for its specialty-and primary-care programs.The school offers combined medical and master's degree programs in public health, business administration, and rural health, as well as a combined medical and doctoral degree for physician scientists interested in addressing specific scientific, social, ethical and political challenges of health care. Along with being a leader in health-care research, the school is known for its commitment to people from underserved communities and a passion for clinical care. For more information, visit www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/medschool.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — David D. Kilmer, professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at UC Davis Health System, died at his home in Sacramento on Tuesday, Sept. 15, of lymphoma at the age of 52.

Dr. Kilmer was an internationally renowned clinician, teacher and researcher. He was known for the state-of-the-art and compassionate rehabilitation care he provided to patients with traumatic neurologic conditions, amputations and neuromuscular diseases.

Longtime colleague Craig McDonald, professor and interim chair of the PM&R department, said, "He was passionate about teaching his medical students and residents. Dave was a gifted researcher who published extensively in the medical literature on the effects of exercise in patients with neuromuscular disease, and he made numerous contributions that have influenced the care of these patients worldwide."

Born on July 25, 1957 in Newport Beach, Calif., Dr. Kilmer received his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from UCLA, graduating magna cum laude. He received his medical degree from the UC Davis School of Medicine in 1985, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society distinction. Upon completing his PM&R residency at UC Davis Medical Center in 1989, he joined the faculty of the PM&R department. He was director of UC Davis Medical Center's electromyography laboratory, and adult prosthetics and orthotics clinics.

Dr. Kilmer had been chair of the PM&R department since 2000. During his time as chair, the department grew in faculty, staff and research activity to its current, internationally recognized status. He twice won the faculty teaching award and was greatly respected by medical students, residents and colleagues. In 2005, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UC Davis School of Medicine and the Citation for Excellence from the Cal Aggie Alumni Association.

Other achievements include serving on the board of directors for the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and membership on the editorial board for the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Kilmer was a founding member of the neuromuscular medicine subspecialty board, jointly under the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Two close friends who trained with Dr. Kilmer said he had a tremendous impact on those around him.

"All who knew Dave remember him as a man with exceptional talents and a humble nature, and were moved by his love of people and devotion to serve others," said Dr. Doug Kindall.

Dr. Greg Carter said, "His legacy now continues in his family, multitude of friends and the PM&R department at UC Davis Medical Center, which he helped build and nurture."

"A devoted man of God, Dave began his days reading God's word," said Chris Hardwicke, a friend and leader of the Men's Ministry at River Life Covenant Church in Sacramento. "Through his example of a life well-lived, Dave touched the lives of countless individuals as he shared his love of God with them."

"Dad felt closest to God while enjoying the beautiful outdoors," said his daughter, Taryn. "He loved tending his perennial garden, running, competing in triathlons, hiking in the mountains and enjoying the beach with his family."

"Dr. Kilmer was a devoted husband who deeply loved his wife, Stephanie, the woman of his dreams," said Hardwicke. "Their union was rooted in God's love for them."

Dr. Kilmer's wife, Stephanie, said, "His proudest legacy is that of his four children. Taryn, Ryan, Matthew and Anna all reflect the love, intelligence and inner strength of their father. Dave's most cherished role in life was being a husband and father: swimming with Taryn, riding bikes with the boys, Ryan and Matthew, and telling Anna, his 'princess,' how pretty and smart she is. His laughter and love made our house a home."

Mrs. Kilmer added, "His family cherishes the memories of his faithful love for all, which was rooted in Jesus' faithful love for him."

Dr. Kilmer also is survived by his parents, M. Daniel and Betty Kilmer of Newport Beach, Calif.; his parents-in-law, Larry and Linda Putnam of Atascadero, Calif.; two sisters, Debbie Mullin of Irvine, Calif. and Suzanne DeMarks of Costa Mesa, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Carol (Todd) Moberg of Pleasanton, Calif., and Nicole Putnam of Sacramento; and nieces and nephews Peter and Sarah Mullin, Kayla and Parker Moberg, and Nadine Redling.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. at Fremont Presbyterian Church, 5570 Carlson Dr., Sacramento. There will be a reception in the Community Life Center at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Dr. David Kilmer Memorial Fund, c/o Sheryl Nichols, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UC Davis Medical Center, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3850, Sacramento, CA 95817.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Rural-PRIME, an innovative UC Davis School of Medicine program designed to increase access to health care in rural areas of California, entered a new phase this month with the launch of a medical-training partnership in Amador County.

This month, two third-year medical students began clinical rotations in primary care and obstetrics and gynecology at Sutter Amador Hospital in the town of Jackson. Sutter Amador is the third official site beyond the UC Davis Sacramento campus where the School of Medicine will train its students as the next generation of rural physicians.

“We are thrilled to have this new partnership with UC Davis,” said Anne Platt, CEO for Sutter Amador Hospital. “Being a training and teaching site for future physicians is win-win for us. Our physicians and staff get to work with bright medical students who are passionate about health care. In return, these students will experience the unique and special qualities of rural medicine. We think they’ll find their time here fulfilling, and we are especially hopeful that it will lead them to practice in a rural community some day, maybe even here in Jackson.”

By 2015, experts predict the state will face a significant shortage of physicians, with rural communities struggling to provide health care with fewer doctors per resident than in urban areas. Rural-PRIME is part of the University of California's Programs in Medical Education, or PRIME, which is designed to produce physician leaders who are trained in and committed to helping California's medically underserved communities. By next year, UC Davis School of Medicine will have nearly 50 students enrolled in the program.

Rural residents often lack access to the full spectrum of medical services that urban populations enjoy. Most rural areas around the state face the challenge of recruiting and retaining enough primary care physicians to serve the needs of their communities. Access to specialty care is an even more difficult issue, with many rural patients having poorer outcomes than their urban counterparts on several health measures including cancer-related deaths. Rural-PRIME was specifically developed to address the health-care disparities frequently found in less populated or remote areas of the state.

As part of Rural-PRIME, UC Davis is partnering with other health systems in the state that are committed to improving rural health, passionate in their advocacy for change in the rural health-care delivery system and willing to become teaching sites for medical students. Jackson, along with the mountain town of Truckee and the central valley community of Reedley, are the first designated Rural-PRIME sites.

Students will spend from four-to-eight weeks immersed in rural clinical settings, experiencing some of the unique challenges and benefits that only those types of communities can offer. The students are also given opportunities to integrate technology into their curriculum and training through distance learning and the use of telemedicine. High-speed telecommunications technologies such as telemedicine help bridge the rural gaps in access to quality health care and are a key element in Rural-PRIME training.

“Increasing the number of physicians who plan to practice in rural areas, and training those future doctors in the use of technology to provide specialty care for their patients, are two crucial ways to improve health-care access,” said Thomas Nesbitt, professor of family and community medicine and associate vice chancellor for strategic technologies and alliances at UC Davis Health System. “Sutter Amador Hospital is a model of high-quality rural health care and is a good example for our students. With their adoption of the electronic intensive care unit, they are leaders in the use of technology and quality care, which offers an ideal learning environment for future physicians.”

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Min Zhao, professor of dermatology and an expert in cell migration, has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The award to Zhao was part of a $16 million infusion from the state’s stem cell agency this week to support research that will lead to advances in understanding the basic mechanisms underlying stem cell biology and cellular differentiation.

The funding supports Zhao’s research developing scientific techniques using electric fields to direct the migration of human stem cells for the repair of wounds and regeneration of damaged tissues. Currently, physicians use electric fields for deep brain stimulation to control seizures and for pain management. They represent a novel approach in the effort to turn stem cells into cures.

“Studying the migration of stem cells toward electrical gradients is very cutting edge and will have important implications in wound repair,” said Jan Nolta, director of the stem cell program at UC Davis and a co-investigator on the grant with Zhao. “It is very exciting work that could potentially help patients with burn injuries and other conditions such as non-healing ulcers. UC Davis is committed to bringing this important basic science research from the bench to the patient’s bedside rapidly.”

One of the barriers to stem cell therapies is that researchers cannot precisely target or consistently integrate transplanted stem cells with the damaged tissues of an injury site. Studies have shown that electric fields can guide the migration and division of certain types of stem cells. Zhao and his colleagues think the same electric fields could produce an effective signal for directing neural stem cells and the progeny of human embryonic stem cells, as well as for ensuring that the cells successfully interact and fully connect with sites of tissue damage.

The next step is to better understand the electrical controls required to guide stem cells to a specific location in the body. If successful, the new techniques will help overcome one of the biggest road blocks in stem cell therapies.

“My focus is to explore the feasibility of using electric signals to direct stem cells to migrate toward diseased tissues, with the goal of being able to restore their structure and function,” said Zhao. “The influence of electric fields on stem cells is not well understood and has not been fully studied. My hope is that this investigation will provide a critical step in developing safe and successful techniques for guiding stem cells directly to the appropriate injury sites in patients.”

Prior to coming to UC Davis in 2007, Zhao was a professor of regenerative medicine at the School of Medical Science at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. UC Davis colleagues who will be collaborating on Zhao’s research include Ebenezer Yamoah, professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine, and Ronald Li, associate professor of cell biology and human anatomy. With this latest award, UC Davis has received 15 grants from CIRM totaling nearly $50 million dollars.

(Sacramento Bee)—This feature story focuses on Michael DeGregorio, a professor of hematology and oncology at UC Davis, and the new science internships in his lab for rural high-school students. The opportunities were created as part of his research on an experimental vaccine that could prime the body's immune system to attack breast cancer.

(Sacramento Bee)—Michael Wilkes, University of California, Davis professor of internal medicine, writes in his column about the importance of understanding global health issues and how they impact California, using the H1N1 virus outbreak as an example.

Spring Break 2009, Serotonin Surge Charities’ fifth annual food and wine fundraiser for safety net medical clinics in the greater Sacramento region was held at the CSUS Alumni Center on Friday, April 24th. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, guests, and volunteers, we were able to raise $285,000 for eighteen medical clinics that provide over 125,000 patient visits per year.

Our special honoree for the evening was The Honorable Helen Thomson, Yolo County Supervisor and former Chair of the California State Assembly Committee on Health. Helen was introduced by UC Davis family practice residency alumnus, Dr. Joan Smith-Maclean, and lauded for her steadfast advocacy for quality health care for all, including the medically uninsured.

Corporate sponsors for Spring Break 2009 included the UC Davis Health System, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Epic, Mercy, Kaneski Associates, New York Life, and Teichert. The media sponsorship team included Sacramento Magazine, Ellis & Ellis Signs, Sacramento & Company/News10, Bashore Design, SmallBizWebsites.net, and Glenda Fox Photography. Guests were treated to an outstanding collection of fine foods and wines donated by Chocolate Fountains Delite, Crisp Catering, Dianda's Italian Bakery & Café, Hawks, Joan Leineke Catering, Magpie Caterers, Marriott's Midtown Courtyard, Mason's, Mikuni, Mulvaney's, Tapa the World, Tre, Arger-Martucci, Astoria Wine Group, Fiddlehead Cellars, Heringer Wines, Mevany Wines, Michael-David, Pedroncelli, Seavey Vineyard, Senders Wines, Silver Oak Cellars, Spoto Winery, Spoto Wines, Whitehall Lane, and Yorba Winery. Those in attendance also enjoyed a video created by local filmmaker, Jared Martin, documenting the story of Serotonin Surge Charities surpassing the $1 million cumulative fundraising milestone.

You are invited to visit www.serotoninsurge.org to find out more about Spring Break 2009 and the marvelous people and companies that made it all possible. We could use help to make Spring Break 2010 even more successful because the challenges for the medically uninsured are only getting worse. For corporate sponsorship and donation opportunities, please contact john.chuck@kp.org