Calvin H. Hirsch, M.D.

Philosophy of Care

I specialized in geriatrics because of the challenge of clinical diagnosis and management, along with a desire to improve the quality of care for elderly patients. My principal focus of care and research is the optimization of functional status and the prevention of functional decline. The diagnosis and management of dementia constitutes a second area of emphasis. In treating frail elderly people and those with cognitive impairment, I view the patient and caregiver as single inextricable unit. For elderly patients, a program of regular exercise to prevent a decline in mobility and balance and to reduce the risk of dependency is very important. Care should be coordinated by a primary-care physician to minimize inappropriate treatment and testing. UC Davis also can help through its extraordinary expertise and cutting-edge medical practice in a variety of disciplines.

Title:

Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine

Specialty:

Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine

Center/Program Affiliation:

Center for Healthcare Policy and Research

Address:

Lawrence J. Ellison Ambulatory Care Center
4860 Y St.
Sacramento, CA 95817

Phone:

(916) 734-2737

Education:

University of Connecticut
Farmington, Connecticut
M.D. 1980

Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
B.S. 1976

Internships:

Mt. Zion Hospital and Medical Center
San Francisco, California
1980-83

Residency:

Mt. Zion Hospital and Medical Center
San Francisco, California
1980-83
Internal Medicine

Fellowships:

Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program

Stanford University, Palo Alto Veterans’ MC
Palo Alto, California
1987

Board Certifications:

American Board of Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, 2009
American Board of Internal Medicine, 1983

Professional Memberships:

American College of Physicians
American Geriatrics Society
Gerontological Society of America
Society of General Internal Medicine

Honors and Awards:

Faculty Leadership Award, Academic Geriatrics Resource Program, University of California, 1990-93
Lange Award for Scholarship, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 1980
Richard Gordon Memorial Fellowship, Epilepsy Foundation of America, 1978

Select Recent Publications:

Resnick SM, Espeland MA, Jaramillo SA, Hirsch C, Stefanick ML, Murray AM, Ockene J, Davatzikos C. Postmenopausal hormone therapy and regional brain volumes: the WHIMS-MRI Study. Neurology. Jan 13 2009; 72(2):135-142.

Hirsch CH, Diehr P, Newman AB, Gerrior SD, Pratt C, Lebowitz MD, Jackson SA. Physical activity and years of healthy life in older adults: results from the Cardiovascular Health Study. J of Aging and Physical Activity. In press (October, 2009).

Rosano C, Newman AB, Katz R, Hirsch CH, Kuller LH. Association between lower digit symbol substitution test score and slower gait and greater risk of mortality and of developing incident disability in well-functioning older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. Sep 2008; 56(9):1618-1625.

Barzilay JI, Blaum C, Moore T, Li Xue Q, Hirsch CH, Walston JO, et al. Insulin resistance and inflammation as precursors of frailty: the cardiovascular health study. Arch Intern Med 2007; 167:635-41.

Jenny NS, Yanez ND, Psaty BM, Kuller LH, Hirsch CH, Tracy RP. Inflammation biomarkers and near-term death in older men. Am J EpidemioI 2007; 165:684-95.

Cao JJ, Arnold AM, Manolio TA, Polak JF, Psaty BM, Hirsch CH, Kuller LH, Cushman M. Association of carotid artery intima-media thickness, plaques, and C-reactive protein with future cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: the Cardiovascular Health Study. Circulation 2007; 116(1):32-38.

Hirsch C, Anderson ML, Newman A, Kop W, Jackson S, Gottdiener J, Tracy R, Fried LP. The Association of Race With Frailty: The Cardiovascular Health Study. Ann Epidemiol. 2006; 16(7):545-553.

Bryson CL, Mukamal KJ, Mittleman MA, Fried LP, Hirsch CH, Kitzman DW, Siscovick DS. The association of alcohol consumption and incident heart failure: the Cardiovascular Health Study. J Am Coli Cardiol. 2006; 48(2):305-11.

To see if Calvin H. Hirsch is accepting new patients, or for assistance finding a UC Davis doctor, please call (800) 2-UC DAVIS.