News from UC Davis Health System

May 23, 2013 — Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, a UC Davis physician and internationally renowned expert on mental health and other conditions that frequently impact underserved populations, will appear in a documentary titled “A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness,” set to air Thursday, May 30, at 9 p.m. on Sacramento PBS station KVIE-Channel 6.

Past trauma, poor understanding of health-care services common among Sacramento Iraqi refugees

May 20, 2013 — Past trauma and a lack of understanding of the U.S. health-care system are key factors affecting the mental and physical health of Iraqi refugees in Sacramento, according to a new report released today (May 20) by UC Davis’ Center for Reducing Health Disparities and Clinical and Translational Science Center, as well as Opening Doors, Inc. and the Mesopotamia Organization (MESO) — two community groups that serve refugee populations.

Study identifies new approach to improving treatment for MS and other conditions

May 17, 2013 — Working with lab mice models of multiple sclerosis (MS), UC Davis scientists have detected a novel molecular target for the design of drugs that could be safer and more effective than current FDA-approved medications against MS.

One million dollar incentive program for rural e-health information exchange launched

May 16, 2013 — The California Health eQuality (CHeQ) program, managed by the UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement (IPHI), has launched a new $1 million Rural Health Information Exchange Incentive Program to help physicians, clinics and hospitals in rural California implement technologies that enable the secure and reliable exchange of health information to improve health-care quality, lower costs and achieve federal meaningful use criteria.

UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities receives $1 million grant from Covered California

May 15, 2013 — The UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities has received a $1 million grant from Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, to provide outreach and education to underserved populations about obtaining health insurance.

Unions resist pension reforms, call for strike May 21-22 at UC medical centers

May 14, 2013 — The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union announced on Friday (May 10) that it is asking UC patient care and service employees to strike at UC medical centers on May 21 and 22. The strike is scheduled to start at 4 a.m. on May 21 and continue until 3:59 a.m. on May 23.

Tailoring pulmonary rehabilitation could improve outcomes for women with COPD

May 10, 2013 — —One of the most effective treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — pulmonary rehabilitation — could potentially work even better if programs were designed based on gender, according to a UC Davis pulmonary physician.

First UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center distinguished lecture to explore artistry in dementia

May 7, 2013 — “Portraits of Artists with Dementia” is the topic of the first UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center Distinguished Lecture, to be presented by Bruce L. Miller, director of the UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center, on Thursday, May 23. The lecture will be presented from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the UC Davis MIND Institute, 2825 50^th St., Sacramento. The discussion is free and open to the public; no reservations are required.

UC Davis radiation oncology chief leads development of new prostate cancer guideline

May 7, 2013 — Based on a major effort co-led by UC Davis prostate cancer expert Richard Valicenti, the nation’s leading urological and radiation oncology organizations today announced a new guideline for radiation therapy after prostatectomy.

UC Davis Medical Center named mother-baby friendly workplace

May 6, 2013 — UC Davis Medical Center has been named a recipient of the Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace Award from the Breastfeeding Coalition of Greater Sacramento, an affiliate of the California Breastfeeding Coalition. Each year, the coalition presents the award to local organizations that have been nominated by their employees to demonstrate appreciation for businesses that go 'above and beyond' to support their breastfeeding employees. The award will be presented on May 13 at 11 a.m. on the North Steps of the State Capital.

UC Davis recognized as a top school for family medicine

May 3, 2013 — The American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP) has recognized UC Davis School of Medicine as one of the nation’s top 10 schools for graduating medical students who go on to family medicine residencies.

Mannis recognized for contributions to ophthalmology

May 2, 2013 — Mark J. Mannis, director of the UC Davis Eye Center, has been named to the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Wall of Fame.

April 2013

MIND Institute, Yale study finds abnormalities in the placentas of children at risk for autism

April 24, 2013 — A study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute and the Yale University School of Medicine has found that more than 95 percent of the placentas of infants who are among those at the greatest risk for developing autism contained abnormal cells, called trophoblast inclusions, suggesting that the abnormality may hold promise as a very early marker for autism risk.

UC Davis ophthalmology resident receives national fellowship award

April 23, 2013 — UC Davis ophthalmology resident Bobeck Modjtahedi has been awarded one of this year’s prestigious Heed Fellowships. A graduate of UC Davis and UC Davis School of Medicine, Modjtahedi will finish his residency training at the UC Davis Eye Center in June and then continue postgraduate training at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital in Boston.

Immunological factors, genes, and the environment in autism

April 18, 2013 — The UC Davis MIND Institute will host an update for parents and health-care professionals on research exploring the growing body of evidence suggesting associations between environmental mechanisms, immunological susceptibility and autism on Saturday, June 1.

Farmers market comes to UC Davis Health System

April 16, 2013 — UC Davis Health System launches a weekly farmers market on May 16, reflecting a national trend that expands access to fresh, locally grown produce sold directly to consumers.

Mammogram tool improves some breast cancer detection but also increases false alarms

April 15, 2013 — A costly and widely used mammography add-on increases detection of noninvasive and early-stage invasive breast cancer but also makes more mistakes than mammography alone, researchers from UC Davis and the University of Washington have found.

Growing Up Latino and Surviving to 25 slated for April 23

April 9, 2013 — “Growing Up Latino and Surviving to 25,” a panel discussion exploring the mental-health challenges faced by Latino youth in the United States, will be held at UC Davis on April 23 and moderated by award-winning journalist and host of the National Public Radio program “Latino USA" Maria Hinojosa. [en español]

Minocycline, an antibiotic, improves behavior for children with fragile X syndrome

April 8, 2013 — Minocycline, an older, broad-spectrum antibiotic in the tetracycline family, provides meaningful improvements as a therapeutic for children with fragile X syndrome, a study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute has found. The finding is important, the researchers said, because minocycline is readily available by prescription.

UC Davis neurosurgeons launch clinical trial for acute spinal cord injury

April 3, 2013 — Spinal surgeons at UC Davis Health System are enrolling individuals immediately following spinal cord injury in a multi-center clinical trial of an investigational compound that is being tested to determine whether it can protect and regenerate the spinal nerves after catastrophic injury.

Fatty acid metabolite shows promise against cancer in mice

April 2, 2013 — A team of UC Davis scientists has found that a product resulting from a metabolized omega-3 fatty acid helps combat cancer by cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients that fuel tumor growth and spread of the disease.

UC Davis MIND Institute's Rogers receives prestigious Autism Centers of Excellence award from the NIH

April 2, 2013 — Autism researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute have received a prestigious $13 million award from the National Institutes of Health to establish an Autism Center of Excellence and Treatment Network, making the MIND Institute one of only nine such centers in the United States.

March 2013

Abbeduto receives grant to study language acquisition in fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome

March 26, 2013 — A team of researchers led by UC Davis MIND Institute Director Leonard Abbeduto will investigate the effectiveness of testing procedures to examine the spoken language development of people with fragile X syndrome and people with Down syndrome, through a new five-year, $3 million grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health.

UC Davis Medical Center named one of top hospitals with great oncology programs

March 19, 2013 — UC Davis Medical Center has been named one of “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs” by Becker’s Hospital Review, a national publication geared to hospital and health system leaders.

UC Davis Medical Center awarded for efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care

March 18, 2013 — UC Davis Medical Center’s expansive, highly successful collection of race, ethnicity and language data from its patients has received a “Best Overall Project” award for 2012-13 from the Disparities Leadership Program.

Sleep study reveals how the adolescent brain makes the transition to mature thinking

March 15, 2013 — A new study conducted by monitoring the brain waves of sleeping adolescents has found that remarkable changes occur in the brain as it prunes away neuronal connections and makes the major transition from childhood to adulthood.

New firearms law and mortality study fails to guide next steps

March 6, 2013 — In an invited commentary, Garen Wintemute, an emergency medicine physician and director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis, discusses important limitations of a new firearms and crime study linking firearms laws with lower firearm-related deaths.

February 2013

Sacramento leaders come together as champions of women's heart health

February 26, 2013 — Crystal Ching has no family history of heart disease. She is under 50. Her cholesterol is low. She maintains a healthy weight. Yet she has heart disease.

A new role for microglia

February 26, 2013 — In a surprise breakthrough, researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute and their colleagues have found that microglia remove healthy neural progenitor cells (NPCs) through phagocytosis to control neuron production during brain development. This newly discovered mechanism keeps neuron numbers in check, preventing brain overgrowth. The discovery could open up new avenues for brain research and lead to therapies for a variety of neurological conditions.

Mushroom-supplemented soybean extract shows therapeutic promise for advanced prostate cancer

February 20, 2013 — A natural, nontoxic product called genistein-combined polysaccharide, or GCP, which is commercially available in health stores, could help lengthen the life expectancy of certain prostate cancer patients, UC Davis researchers have found.

Gershwin honored by international immunology association

February 12, 2013 — UC Davis researcher M. Eric Gershwin has been recognized with the first Vasco da Gama Award for Explorations in Autoimmunity by Medinterna Association, an international organization dedicated to improving therapeutic strategies for immune-system diseases.

Gun violence prevention experts call for more physician involvement

February 11, 2013 — A new commentary in the Annals of Internal Medicine from researchers with The Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research and University of California, Davis, calls for more physician engagement in the current gun policy dialogue.

Vascular brain injury greater risk factor than amyloid plaques in cognitive aging

February 11, 2013 — Vascular brain injury from conditions such as high blood pressure and stroke are greater risk factors for cognitive impairment among non-demented older people than is the deposition of the amyloid plaques in the brain that long have been implicated in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, a study by researchers at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at UC Davis has found.

Experimental gene therapy treatment for duchenne muscular dystrophy offers hope for youngster

February 7, 2013 — Jacob Rutt is a bright 11-year-old who likes to draw detailed maps in his spare time. But the budding geographer has a hard time with physical skills most children take for granted ― running and climbing trees are beyond him, and even walking can be difficult. He was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne when he was two years old.

Are deaf and hard of hearing physicians getting the support they need?

February 5, 2013 — Deaf and hard of hearing (DHoH) people must overcome significant professional barriers, particularly in health care professions. A number of accommodations are available for physicians and other health providers, such as electronic stethoscopes and closed-captioning technologies, but are these approaches making a difference?

Needless abdominal CT scans can be avoided in children, study says

February 1, 2013 — A study of more than 12,000 children from emergency departments throughout the country in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) has identified seven factors that can help physicians determine the need for a computed tomography (CT) scan following blunt trauma to the abdomen. Because CT scans pose radiation hazards for youngsters, the findings may enable doctors to determine which children do not need to be exposed to such tests after a traumatic injury.

New radiation oncology device reduces treatment times, increases safety

February 1, 2013 — With radiation oncology treatments, the goal is to hit the tumor with as much ionizing X-ray energy as possible, while sparing adjacent, healthy tissue.

January 2013

Catherine Lord, internationally respected autism researcher, to give Distinguished Lecture

January 31, 2013 — Catherine Lord, director of the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, will discuss “Longitudinal Studies of Autism Spectrum Disorder” during the next UC Davis MIND Institute Distinguished Lecturer Series presentation.

Three UC Davis recipients awarded fellowships from UC innovation center

January 28, 2013 — Three UC Davis researchers are among the 10 new recipients of fellowships awarded by the University of California’s Center for Health Quality and Innovation. Representing five UC campuses, the recipients received the fellowships to support projects to improve the quality and value of care delivered by UC Health.

Biggest weight losers don stylish clothing after doffing pounds

January 25, 2013 — When it comes to weight-loss surgery, Rafael Torres is happy to be a role model for others, even when it means becoming a model for the latest in fashion. The 41-year old Sacramento resident plans to proudly show off his new, healthy physique at UC Davis Medical Center’s 10th annual bariatric fashion show.

Low levels of common flame-retardant chemical damages brain cells

January 16, 2013 — A common ingredient in flame retardants, BDE-49 accumulates in human blood, fat and breast milk. Despite these concentrations, little research has been done on the chemical’s potential health risks. However, a study by scientists at the UC Davis MIND Institute is shedding new light on BDE-49’s potential danger to brain health. The study showed that even tiny amounts of the compound damage neural mitochondria, the energy plants that power our cells. The chemical, quite literally, reduces brain power.

Philip Palmer, founding faculty member of UC Davis medical school, internationally known advocate of broad access to radiology, dies at 91

January 11, 2013 — Dr. Philip E.S. Palmer, emeritus professor of radiology and the first director of diagnostic radiology at the UC Davis School of Medicine, died on Jan. 3. He was 91 years old.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Joaquin Community Hospital affiliate for cancer care

January 11, 2013 — Residents of Kern County, where cancer rates overall are higher than the state average, will now have access to the expertise and experience of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers and clinicians through a new hospital affiliation. [en español]

UC Davis study deflates notion that pear-shaped bodies more healthy than apples

January 10, 2013 — People who are “apple-shaped” — with fat more concentrated around the abdomen — have long been considered more at risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes than those who are “pear shaped” and carry weight more in the buttocks, hips and thighs. But new research conducted at UC Davis Health System published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism provides further evidence that the protective benefits of having a pear body shape may be more myth than reality. [en espanol]

UC Davis reproductive health leader honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

January 9, 2013 — Jeanne Conry, associate clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and an alumna of the UC Davis School of Medicine, today was honored by United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson as an environmental health champion for her national leadership to advance understanding of the risk to reproductive health of exposures to environmental toxins.

UC Davis study links low wages with hypertension, especially for women and younger workers

January 3, 2013 — Workers earning the lowest wages have a higher risk of hypertension than workers with the highest wages, according to new research from UC Davis. The correlation between wages and hypertension was especially strong among women and persons between the ages of 25 to 44.

Tiny infant has a big impact on his community

January 3, 2013 — Though nicknamed “Tiny” by his family, an infant treated at UC Davis Children’s Hospital in 2011 is having a big effect on the lives of children with congenital heart disease in Sacramento and on his community.

Gary Small, New York Times best-selling author, to speak on Alzheimer's disease

January 2, 2013 — New York Times best-selling author Gary Small, professor of psychiatry at UCLA and one of the world's leading physician/scientists in the fields of memory and longevity, will present a special lecture titled "Alzheimer’s Prevention Strategies for Keeping Your Brain Healthy," on Monday, Jan. 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the UC Davis MIND Institute auditorium.

UC Davis Medical Center welcomes area's first baby born in 2013

January 1, 2013 — Allison Donecker and her husband Brian rang in the new year in memorable fashion. Their new son, John, was born at 12:20 a.m. at UC Davis Medical Center, making him the Sacramento area’s first baby of 2013.

December 2012

UC Davis Chancellor Emeritus Vanderhoef discharged from hospital

December 28, 2012 — Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef was discharged from UC Davis Medical Center today after nearly four weeks of acute rehabilitation for a Dec. 1 ischemic stroke. He will continue to work with specialists as an outpatient to maintain and improve skills.

Broader background checks and denial criteria could help prevent mass-shooting catastrophes

December 27, 2012 — Garen Wintemute, a leading authority on gun violence prevention and an emergency medicine physician at UC Davis, believes broader criteria for background checks and denials on gun purchases can help prevent future firearm violence, including mass shooting catastrophes such as those that occurred at Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech and Columbine. Wintemute’s views posted in the Online First section of the New England Journal of Medicine website as a Perspective article, entitled “Tragedy’s Legacy,” on December 26, 2012. It also will appear in the journal's January 31, 2013 print edition.

Genetic defect that causes fragile X-related disorders more common than thought

December 21, 2012 — A single genetic defect on the X chromosome that can result in a wide array of conditions — from learning and emotional disabilities to primary ovarian insufficiency in women and tremors in middle-aged men — occurs at a much greater frequency than previously thought, research led by the UC Davis MIND Institute has found.

Business Journal names UC Davis leaders as two of its "40 Under 40"

December 19, 2012 — The Sacramento Business Journal’s most recent list of “40 Under 40” includes UC Davis Health System leaders Joseph Galante and Toby Marsh.

New policy brief examines the impact of occupational injuries and illnesses among low-wage workers

December 17, 2012 — Low-wage workers, who make up a large and growing share of the U.S. workforce, are especially vulnerable to financial hits that can result from on-the-job injuries and illnesses, according to a policy brief released by researchers at The George Washington University and based on a study conducted at the University of California, Davis.

The HER2 paradox: HER2-positive stem cells found in HER2-negative breast cancer

December 14, 2012 — A multicenter study led by researchers at UC Davis describes new, paradoxical characteristics of the most common type of breast cancer.

National nursing association honors MSICU with award of excellence

December 14, 2012 — The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently conferred a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) at UC Davis Medical Center.

UC Davis Medical Center recognized for electronic medical records achievements

December 13, 2012 — HIMSS Analytics, the research arm of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), has recognized UC Davis Medical Center with its Stage 7 Award.

UC Davis research is number five in TIME magazine's Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs for 2012

December 11, 2012 — Autism research by UC Davis MIND Institute Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Sally Rogers has been named number five among the Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs of 2012 by TIME magazine.

Update on CMS response

December 7, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center Chief Executive Officer provides additional details about the Plan of Correction sent to CMS. A copy of her letter to health system employees also appears here on the health system's public websites.

A message from Ann Madden Rice

December 6, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center Chief Executive Officer discusses the on-site CMS survey conducted in late August and the leave of absence of neurosurgeon J. Paul Muizelaar. A copy of her letter to health system employees appears here and on other health system public websites.

UC Davis Chancellor Emeritus Vanderhoef recovering from stroke

December 6, 2012 — Chancellor Emeritus Larry Vanderhoef is making good progress in his recovery from a Dec. 1 stroke, according to his UC Davis Medical Center physicians.

UC Davis Health System leading the way in reducing LGBT health disparities

December 4, 2012 — UC Davis Health System is poised to become the first academic health system in the nation to have its physicians ask sexual orientation and gender identity questions as part of a patient’s routine clinical assessment.

UC Davis Medical Center named 2012 Leapfrog Top Hospital

December 4, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center ranks among The Leapfrog Group's list of Top Hospitals for 2012, a distinction that places UC Davis among the top 10 percent of hospitals participating in the national survey. The award recognizes hospitals for their exceptional performance in critical areas of patient safety and quality, including mortality rates for certain common procedures, infection rates, established policies and procedures to prevent errors, and measures of efficient use of resources.

UC Davis study shows that treadmill testing can predict heart disease in women

December 3, 2012 — Although there is a widespread belief among physicians that the exercise treadmill test (ETT) is not reliable in evaluating the heart health of women, UC Davis researchers have found that the test can accurately predict coronary artery disease in women over the age of 65. They also found that two specific electrocardiogram (EKG) indicators of heart stress during an ETT further enhanced its predictive power.

November 2012

Development of language and communication in autism the topic of next MIND Institute Lecture

November 30, 2012 — Boston University Professor and President of the International Society for Autism Research Helen Tager-Flusberg will give a presentation titled "On the Origins and Development of Language and Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder" for the next UC Davis MIND Institute Distinguished Lecturer Series presentation.

General thoracic surgeons emerge as leading providers of complex, noncardiac thoracic surgery

November 28, 2012 — A UC Davis study has found that general thoracic surgeons, especially those at academic health centers, perform the vast majority of complex noncardiac operations, including surgeries of the esophagus and lungs. The authors said their results, published in the October issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, support the designation of general thoracic surgery as a distinct specialty, which will benefit patients when selecting surgeons for specific procedures.

WeCARE! Peer Navigator Program expands to Central Valley

November 28, 2012 — The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center's WeCARE! Cancer Peer Navigators program is expanding to the Central Valley.

Experts recommend closer scrutiny of radiation exposure from CT scans

November 28, 2012 — Amid increasing fear of overexposure to radiation from CT scans, a panel of experts has recommended more research on the health effects of medical imaging and ways to reduce unnecessary CT tests, as well as industry standardization of CT machines.

UC Davis Children's Hospital offers holiday gift-giving drive-up and drop-off event

November 26, 2012 — To make the donation of toys and other gifts easier for generous businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals who would like to make the season brighter for hospitalized infants, children, teens and other pediatric patients, UC Davis is offering donors the opportunity to drive-up and drop-off donations for the holidays.

UC Davis physician plans to fast in solidarity with dysphagia patients

November 21, 2012 — A UC Davis physician is calling on colleagues who treat swallowing disorders to join him in a Thanksgiving fast as a way to raise awareness and show solidarity for patients who suffer from dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing food difficult or impossible.

For Thanksgiving, Redding parents are grateful for son's life, care at UC Davis Children's Hospital

November 21, 2012 — This Thanksgiving, Erin and Nick Ciapponi are spending their holiday in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit/Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PICU/PCICU) at UC Davis Children's Hospital. The Ciapponis will be seated at the bedside of their beautiful newborn baby boy, Guy, now a little more than two weeks old.

UC Davis researcher recognized as distinguished scientist by the American Heart Association

November 20, 2012 — Donald Bers, the Joseph Silva Endowed Chair for Cardiovascular Research and chair of the Department of Pharmacology at UC Davis, was recognized as a Distinguished Scientist at the American Heart Association's 2012 Scientific Sessions, which were held in Los Angeles Nov. 3-7.

More than 115 UC Davis physicians top 'Best Doctors' list

November 19, 2012 — More than 115 UC Davis physicians have been included on a list of the Sacramento region's best doctors by an organization that bases its selections on surveys of other physicians. The story is featured in the December 2012 issue of Sacramento Magazine and currently available on news stands.

Claire Pomeroy to step down in June

November 19, 2012 — Claire Pomeroy, vice chancellor for human health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Davis, has announced that she will leave the university on June 30, at the end of the academic year.

UC Davis Medical Center and Dameron Hospital form joint venture

November 16, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and Dameron Hospital in Stockton will be forming a joint venture that will allow Dameron Hospital to strengthen its core medical services while delivering more care locally, and advances UC Davis' historic land-grant mission to identify and help meet important societal needs.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month

November 16, 2012 — The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center will host a Tweet chat to discuss the latest approaches to lung cancer treatment on Nov. 27 at 1 p.m. in recognition of Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Twitter users are invited to log in and join the conversation about new medical, surgical and radiation oncology approaches to the disease from cancer center experts. To join, follow #UCDcancerchat.

Study finds high exposure to food-borne toxins

November 13, 2012 — In a sobering study published in the journal Environmental Health, researchers at UC Davis and UCLA measured food-borne toxin exposure in children and adults by pinpointing foods with high levels of toxic compounds and determining how much of these foods were consumed.

Pathology resident receives national award for leadership

November 8, 2012 — Third-year pathology and laboratory medicine resident Rebecca Jung-Hee Sonu received a 2012 Resident Representative Leadership Award from the American Society for Clinical Pathology on Nov. 2 at the society's annual meeting in Boston.

Higher anxiety is associated with poorer functioning in children with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

November 5, 2012 — UC Davis researchers have found that for children with the genetic disorder known as chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome anxiety ― but not intelligence ― is linked to poorer adaptive behaviors that affect daily life. The developmental syndrome, which is associated with a constellation of physical, cognitive and psychiatric problems, usually is apparent at birth or early childhood, and leads to lifelong challenges. [en español] or [中文 Chinese]

DeCarli named to first Victor and Genevieve Orsi Endowed Chair in Alzheimer's Disease Research

November 2, 2012 — Charles DeCarli, director of the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center and an internationally renowned expert on behavioral neurology, degenerative dementias and neuroimaging, is the first Victor and Genevieve Orsi Endowed Chair in Alzheimer's Research at UC Davis Health System.

UC Davis Health System's Institute for Population Health Improvement releases first-of-its-kind buyers' guide for health information exchange

November 1, 2012 — The UC Davis Health System's Institute for Population Health Improvement (IPHI) today released the first edition of its "HIE Ready Buyers' Guide" to facilitate health information exchange (HIE), especially in California.

Free community workshops to help seniors avoid falls

November 1, 2012 — UC Davis Health System's Trauma Prevention Program and its Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are seeking participants for a new community health initiative designed to reduce falls among older adults.

UC Davis Health System's partnership with ValleyCare concludes

November 1, 2012 — UC Davis Health System's Cancer Care Network has concluded its four-year partnership with ValleyCare Health System and Regional Cancer Center.

October 2012

High blood pressure damages the brain in early middle age

October 31, 2012 — Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the brain's structure and function as early as young middle age, and even the brains of middle-aged people who clinically would not be considered to have hypertension have evidence of silent structural brain damage, a study led by researchers at UC Davis has found. [en español] [中文 Chinese]

"What's Good for the Body is Good for the Brain" the topic of Alzheimer's Disease Center symposium

October 29, 2012 — The UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center will hold its first annual research symposium and poster session, titled "What's Good for the Body is Good for the Brain," on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in lecture hall 2222 in the Education Building, 4610 X St., Sacramento, Calif.

Consumers again rate UC Davis Medical Center as the region's best

October 23, 2012 — For the 14th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been selected as a Consumer Choice Award winner by the National Research Corporation (NRC). The 2012 award recognizes a single hospital in each of 300 markets nationwide that health-care consumers choose as providing the highest-quality health care.

"Sharing Knowledge, Improving Lives" conference to address Latino mental-health issues

October 17, 2012 — Community and mental-health leaders from across Northern California will converge on UC Davis for a daylong conference to explore effective and culturally and linguistically appropriate solutions to mental illness among the nearly 40 percent of the state's population that identifies as Latino.

People with severe psoriasis have nearly twice the risk of diabetes

October 15, 2012 — An analysis of 27 studies linking psoriasis in 314,000 individuals with diabetes has found strong correlation between the scaly skin rash and the blood sugar disorder that predisposes patients to heart disease, say UC Davis researchers who led the review.

Internationally respected neonatologist to lead UC Davis Department of Pediatrics

October 15, 2012 — Robin H. Steinhorn, an internationally recognized neonatologist, has been named chair of the Department of Pediatrics in the UC Davis School of Medicine. The department provides state-of-the-art clinical care and conducts research into disease conditions affecting infants, children, adolescents and young adults. As chair of the Department of Pediatrics, Steinhorn also serves as director of UC Davis Children's Hospital, the only nationally ranked pediatric hospital in inland Northern California.

Murin selected to lead pulmonary medicine at UC Davis

October 10, 2012 — Susan Murin, a nationally recognized expert in pulmonary medicine, has become chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and the Gordon A. Wong Professor in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UC Davis. She replaces Timothy Albertson, who led the division for 23 years and recently became chair of the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine.

UC Davis part of Stand Up To Cancer and Prostate Cancer Foundation research dream team

October 9, 2012 — Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), along with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), SU2C's scientific partner, announced the formation of a second Dream Team project dedicated to prostate cancer research -- "Targeting Adaptive Pathways in Metastatic Treatment-Resistant Prostate Cancer."

Scleral lenses benefit patients with corneal irregularities, severe dry eyes

October 8, 2012 — A UC Davis Health System Eye Center study found that scleral lenses, which rest beyond the limits of the cornea and cover the white part of the eye (sclera), were a good alternative for patients with corneal abnormalities whose vision could not be corrected with other types of contact lenses or glasses. The study was published in the journal Eye & Contact Lens.

UC Davis bone health expert to lead new research initiative

October 3, 2012 — Nancy E. Lane, professor of internal medicine and the endowed chair of Healthy Aging and Geriatrics at the UC Davis School of Medicine, has been awarded a $7.2 million federal grant to establish a specialized research center at UC Davis' Sacramento campus to explore the sex differences related to osteoporosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, and kyphosis (a condition causing over-curvature of the upper back).

UC Davis establishes prestigious new NIH-funded research center for aging Latinos

October 2, 2012 — Assembling a nationally respected team of nurse, physician and mental-health leaders with broad expertise in brain health and minority aging, UC Davis has established the Latino Aging Research Resource Center (LARRC), through a prestigious five-year, $3 million grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). [en español]

September 2012

Kizer awarded for contributions to occupational and environmental medicine

September 26, 2012 — Kenneth W. Kizer, director of the UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement, received the Rutherford T. Johnstone Award for outstanding contributions to the field of occupational and environmental medicine at the Western Occupational Health Conference held in San Francisco last week.

Kimberly-Clark awards medical center for VAP reduction

September 26, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center has received a Partners in Prevention Award from Kimberly-Clark for its initiative to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).

UC Davis' Institute for Population Improvement launches California Health eQuality

September 25, 2012 — UC Davis Health System has established the California Health eQuality (CHeQ) program, leaders at the Institute for Population Health Improvement announced today. CHeQ seeks to improve health-care quality and the coordination of care by using health information exchange (HIE) technology to facilitate the rapid flow of information among physician offices, hospitals and other health-care providers.

New study analyzes smoking trends in Mexico and among Mexican-Americans

September 20, 2012 — Led by UC Davis researchers, the first-ever transnational study of Mexico-U.S. migration and smoking has found that U.S.-born Mexican-Americans start smoking at an earlier age but are more likely to quit than their counterparts in Mexico. [en español]

UC Davis Medical Group ranks among top-performing physician organizations

September 20, 2012 — The UC Davis Medical Group ranks among the Top Overall Performing Physician Organizations in California for 2012, the Integrated Healthcare Association announced today at its annual Pay for Performance Program meeting in Los Angeles.

New targeted drug for treating fragile X syndrome, potentially autism, is effective

September 19, 2012 — An investigational compound that targets the core symptoms of fragile X syndrome is effective for addressing the social withdrawal and challenging behaviors characteristic of the condition, making it the first such discovery for fragile X syndrome and, potentially, the first for autism spectrum disorder, a study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, has found. [en español] [中文 Chinese]

New study identifies large gaps in lifetime earnings of specialist and primary-care physicians

September 18, 2012 — A national study has found that earnings over the course of the careers of primary-care physicians averaged as much as $2.8 million less than the earnings of their specialist colleagues, potentially making primary care a less attractive choice for medical school graduates and exacerbating the already significant shortage of medical generalists.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center to open major new wing

September 17, 2012 — After 10 years of planning, the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center will open its spacious new wing to patients on Sept. 24. [en español]

UC Davis ear, nose and throat specialist honored for service, leadership

September 12, 2012 — Travis Tollefson, associate professor of otolaryngology at UC Davis Health System, received an Honors Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery yesterday at the academy's 2012 annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

UC Davis researcher receives $1.3 million to develop biopacemaker from stem cells

September 12, 2012 — Deborah K. Lieu, a stem cell scientist in cardiovascular medicine at UC Davis Health System, has received a $1.3 million research grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to develop stem cells that could serve as a biological alternative to the electronic pacemakers that people now use to regulate heart rhythm.

Telescopic implant restores vision in patient with advanced macular degeneration

September 11, 2012 — Surgeons at UC Davis Medical Center have successfully implanted a new telescope implant in the eye of a patient with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most advanced form of the disease and a leading cause of blindness in older Americans. [en español]

Task force sets new clinical practice guidelines for triglycerides

September 7, 2012 — Although treatment strategies for high triglyceride levels in the blood are well established, new clinical practice guidelines from the Endocrine Society released today in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism recommend that more attention should be paid to the ways each person's unique history, physiology and lifestyle interact to affect risk. [en español]

August 2012

UC Davis eye surgeon brings vision to El Salvador

August 29, 2012 — The humanitarian act of cornea donation -- a gift from a donor to recipient -- went worldwide recently, with the help of Mark J. Mannis, Ocular Director for Sierra Donor Services, and its parent company, DCI Donor Services. Mannis is also professor and chair of ophthalmology & vision science and director of the Eye Center at UC Davis Health System. [en español]

St. Baldrick's Foundation awards $100,000 to UC Davis scientist

August 21, 2012 — For the second consecutive year, Paul Knoepfler, associate professor of cell biology and human anatomy at UC Davis School of Medicine, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the St. Baldrick's Foundation to pursue his novel research into the molecular causes of brain tumors in children.

Pediatric quality-improvement efforts advance resident education, patient care

August 20, 2012 — From screening new mothers for post-partum depression to ensuring that children receive regular dental health check-ups, quality-improvement efforts by residents at UC Davis Children's Hospital have been highly effective at improving both resident education and patient outcomes, a study by pediatric medical education faculty has found.

UC Davis Trauma Prevention Program receives more than $300,000 donation from Kohl's

August 16, 2012 — The UC Davis Injury and Trauma Prevention Program has received a grant for $306,381 from Kohl's Cares® to support its child and adolescent injury prevention efforts in the Sacramento region.

Time for new books, backpacks -- and a visit to the doctor for immunizations

August 15, 2012 — As another school year begins, it is important for all school-aged children to be up-to-date with all of their immunizations, because they will be interacting with a larger group of children and therefore at greater risk of exposure to preventable infectious diseases.

UC Davis, Shriners to study using magnets to correct "sunken chest"

August 14, 2012 — UC Davis Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California have embarked on a groundbreaking study of a device that uses magnets to correct sunken chest, the most common congenital chest-wall abnormality, in the same way that orthodontic braces correct teeth. [en español]

Pavilions shopping center hosts Fashion's Night Out to benefit UC Davis Children's Hospital

August 14, 2012 — Pavilions Shopping Center in Sacramento will host its second Fashion's Night Out, an evening of shopping and a fashion show featuring clothing from Pavilions' specialty stores, on Sept. 6.

Chemical widely used in antibacterial hand soaps may impair muscle function

August 13, 2012 — Triclosan, an antibacterial chemical widely used in hand soaps and other personal-care products, hinders muscle contractions at a cellular level, slows swimming in fish and reduces muscular strength in mice, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis, and the University of Colorado.

UC Davis Children's Hospital gains international recognition for lifesaving program

August 10, 2012 — UC Davis Children's Hospital has received the Excellence in Life Support Award from the international Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) for its Extracorporeal Life Support Program. The program provides lifesaving support for failing organ systems in infants, children and in some cases, adults.

Research shows gene defect's role in autism-like behavior

August 10, 2012 — Scientists affiliated with the UC Davis MIND Institute have discovered how a defective gene causes brain changes that lead to the atypical social behavior characteristic of autism. The research offers a potential target for drugs to treat the condition.

Ramsey Badawi awarded prestigious "Provocative Questions" grant from NCI

August 9, 2012 — Ramsey Badawi, UC Davis associate professor of biomedical engineering, has won a groundbreaking grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to address whether tumors can be detected when they are two to three times smaller than those detectable using current imaging methods.

White children more likely to receive CT scans than Hispanic or African-American children

August 6, 2012 — White children are more likely to receive cranial (head) CT scans in an emergency department following minor head trauma, compared with African-American or Hispanic children, a study published by researchers at UC Davis has found. [en español]

July 2012

Graduate student wins top research fellowship

July 31, 2012 — Andrea Ferrero, a UC Davis PhD candidate in biomedical engineering, has been awarded a 2012 Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Student Research Fellowship for his work on use of PET/CT scanning to monitor the effects of breast cancer treatment.

When I Grow Up event to encourage children with heart conditions to dream about their futures

July 30, 2012 — When I Grow Up, an event that encourages children with heart conditions to dream about jobs they may have when they become adults, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the UC Davis MIND Institute on UC Davis' Sacramento campus, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. About 150 children and their families are expected to attend.

UC Davis Medical Center ranks among the nation's Most Connected Hospitals

July 27, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center ranks among U.S. News & Worlds Report's 2012-13 list of Most Connected Hospitals, a distinction that only 156 of the 5,300 American hospitals included in the survey qualified for as of July 2012. Only 16 California hospitals met Most Connected criteria, and UC San Diego was the only other UC medical center campus to receive the designation.

Stem cell grant to UC Davis targets osteoporosis

July 26, 2012 — Researchers at UC Davis Health System in Sacramento have received approval for a $20 million grant proposal to refine a stem cell therapy for osteoporosis patients and test its effectiveness in clinical trials over the next four years.

UC Davis dermatologist among scientists honored with Presidential award

July 23, 2012 — Emanual Maverakis, assistant professor of dermatology at UC Davis School of Medicine, joins a highly select group later this month in a White House ceremony honoring recipients of this year's Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers.

Chong Porter appointed to new Associate Vice Chancellor position at UC Davis Health System

July 23, 2012 — Chong Porter has joined UC Davis Health System as the institution's first associate vice chancellor for Health Sciences Development and Alumni Relations.

UC Davis Health System welcomes the community to a free outdoor concert Aug. 16

July 18, 2012 — UC Davis Health System and its Community Advisory Board will host the popular dance band Mercy Me! (Band) at their sixth annual outdoor concert on Thursday, Aug. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Gorin named to chair UC Davis Department of Neurology

July 17, 2012 — Internationally respected neuroscientist Fredric A. Gorin, whose investigations of novel therapies for brain cancer, traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular disease and stroke have resulted in four U.S. patents, has been appointed chair of the Department of Neurology in the UC Davis School of Medicine. Gorin's appointment became effective July 1.

UC Davis Medical Center recognized as Top 10 Hospital in America for Service Excellence

July 17, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center has been designated as a Top 10 Hospital in America for Service Excellence by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers (AAHCP), signifying it as one of America's most customer-friendly hospitals.

Institute of Medicine report recommends improving access to care and outcomes tracking for PTSD

July 16, 2012 — An Institute of Medicine report released Friday examining U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs (VA) programs for preventing, identifying and treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recommends that service members and veterans receive more timely access to evidence-based care, including PTSD screening at least once a year.

UC Davis and Yoursphere.com launch online community for kids with cancer

July 12, 2012 — UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and Yoursphere.com have teamed up to create the first of its kind interactive web community that allows young cancer patients and survivors to connect with peers all over the world. [en español]

New parking structure at UC Davis Medical Center promotes ease of use, environmental sustainability

July 11, 2012 — A new parking structure set to open at UC Davis Medical Center will provide much-needed spaces near the hospital, and features elements that will make it easier for patrons to use and promote environmental sustainability.

Kawatu to lead pediatric gastroenterology at UC Davis Children's Hospital

July 10, 2012 — David Kawatu, a specialist in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in children, has joined the faculty of the UC Davis School of Medicine as chief of the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology in the Department of Pediatrics.

UC Davis Health System among the nation's most wired

July 10, 2012 — For the second consecutive year, UC Davis Health System has been designated as one of the nation's information technology leaders, according to the 2012 "Most Wired Survey and Benchmarking Study" that appears in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

Precautions urged during heat wave

July 10, 2012 — Soaring temperatures can be extremely dangerous, particularly for seniors or for anyone who works or exercises outdoors. UC Davis physicians offer several suggestions to prevent heat stroke and severe dehydration, which can lead to hospitalization and even death on scorching summer days.

UC Davis researchers demonstrate usefulness of a novel PET/CT device in inflammatory arthritis

July 10, 2012 — UC Davis researchers have shown that their specially constructed PET/CT scanner enables better monitoring of the course of inflammatory arthritis - a costly and painful disease.

UC Davis study finds stray-bullet shootings frequently harm women and children

July 9, 2012 — Most people killed or wounded in stray-bullet shootings were unaware of events leading to the gunfire that caused their injuries, and nearly one-third of the victims were children and nearly half were female, according to a new nationwide study examining an often-overlooked form of gun violence

Renowned endocrinologist and sugar expert to speak at UC Davis Health System

July 9, 2012 — Robert Lustig, the physician whose lecture titled "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" went viral on YouTube with more than 2.5 million hits, will speak on the Sacramento campus of UC Davis as part of the Pioneers in Integrative Medicine speaker series.

Patients trust doctors but consult the Internet

July 6, 2012 — Patients look up their illnesses online to become better informed and prepared to play an active role in their care -- not because they mistrust their doctors, a new University of California, Davis, study suggests.

UC Davis study finds that above-normal weight alone does not increase the short-term risk of death

July 6, 2012 — An evaluation of national data by UC Davis researchers has found that extra weight is not necessarily linked with a higher risk of death.

UC Davis program addresses California's need for diverse physician workforce

July 5, 2012 — An innovative physician education program that combines psychiatry with either family practice or internal medicine training has received $1.2 million in additional funding from the California Department of Mental Health to extend the program through 2014. [español]

New vice chair of research joins the pathology and laboratory medicine department

July 3, 2012 — Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan, a national leader in the study of liver diseases whose work focuses on the role of retinoids and their receptors in control of liver function, joined the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine as professor and vice chair of research on July 1.

UC Davis researchers find biomarker that predicts response to chemotherapy for osteosarcoma

July 2, 2012 — Knowing whether a patient's tumor has this protein biomarker could help doctors determine if a patient should undergo standard treatment or if a more aggressive or alternative therapy may be more effective. [en español]

June 2012

Study finds career flexibility important among male and female physicians across generations

June 29, 2012 — With increasing expectations from younger generations that careers be more family-friendly and to help address the predicted physician shortage in coming decades, academic medical centers nationwide are looking for ways to strengthen faculty workplace policies to attract and retain physicians.

Internationally renowned neuroscientist joins UC Davis MIND Institute

June 29, 2012 — Jacqueline N. Crawley, one of the world's foremost researchers in behavioral neuroscience and a leading investigator using mouse models to develop novel, targeted treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, joins the faculty of the UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis MIND Institute in July as the Robert E. Chason Chair in Translational Research.

New "ROAD" program provides path to breathing easier

June 29, 2012 — UC Davis Medical Center has launched a new program to reduce symptoms and hospital stays for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD -- a common cause of hospitalization and the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. [en español]

UC Davis emergency medicine leader named Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow

June 27, 2012 — Peter E. Sokolove, professor and vice chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UC Davis School of Medicine, was selected as a 2012 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow. His one-year term runs from September 2012 through August 2013.

UC Davis Health System partners with state to direct world-renowned California Cancer Registry

June 26, 2012 — The University of California Davis Health System announced today that it will partner with the California Department of Public Health to run the day-to-day operations of the California Cancer Registry, one of the world's leading resources for population-based data on cancer.

Duplicate spending on veterans' care costs billions

June 26, 2012 — A new study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that the federal government made about $13 billion in duplicative payments to provide health-care services to veterans who were simultaneously enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans from 2004-2009.

Media advisory: UC Davis announces "blueprint" for improving Latino mental health services

June 22, 2012 — The UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities will announce the results of a first-of-its-kind study commissioned by the State of California that details barriers to access and utilization of mental-health services among Latinos in California and offers solutions for reducing those disparities.

UC Davis researcher receives funding to improve physicians' counseling skills

June 20, 2012 — Joshua Fenton, a leader in research to improve the quality of primary health-care services, has been selected to receive nearly $700,000 from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to identify ways to reduce unneeded medical care.

UC Davis Medical Center honored for second year as LGBT 'Leader in Healthcare Equality'

June 19, 2012 — For the second year in a row, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization today has recognized UC Davis Medical Center as a "Leader in Healthcare Equality" for creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBT patients and employees.

UC Davis Medical Center honored for high patient-satisfaction ratings

June 14, 2012 — Three UC Davis Medical Center units have been awarded for their high patient-satisfaction ratings by a company that conducts patient-satisfaction studies for more than 300 hospitals and health systems around the country.

Folic acid intake during early pregnancy associated with reduced risk of autism in offspring

June 13, 2012 — A new study by researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute suggests that women who consume the recommended daily dosage of folic acid, the synthetic form of folate or vitamin B-9, during the first month of pregnancy may have a reduced risk of having a child with autism.

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center receives $75,000 to support pediatric cancer research from Hyundai Hope on Wheels

June 12, 2012 — UC Davis radiation oncologist Ruben Fragoso was awarded a $75,000 grant today from Hyundai Hope on Wheels to support his pediatric brain tumor research. The Hyundai Scholar Grant was presented during the Hope on Wheels handprint ceremony outside the UC Davis Health System's Administrative Support Building.