LETTER FROM THE LEADERSHIP

Dear Colleagues,

Collaboration is the heart and soul of UC Davis Health System. It is what helps us successfully face some of medicine's most daunting challenges. Our multidisciplinary efforts manifest themselves in our everyday approach to our work as we draw upon the expertise of many diverse disciplines and experts.

In this issue of UC Davis Medicine, you will read about how we employ the most advanced imaging technologies to uncover new clues to disease. We also talk about some innovative imaging work occurring elsewhere in the university. We see potential in applying to medicine what these other researchers have learned. Our story is introduced by Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw.

You will also read about how we are encouraging and nurturing collaboration among our students by instituting a college system at our medical school. The college system will bring together faculty and groups of medical students across all four years at the school to provide support, encouragement, and a robust environment that deepens the ability to learn and see beyond the pages of a book or a blackboard.

Our mission of public service and exceptional patient care also benefits from our culture of teamwork. A pediatric hospice program here at UC Davis intends to serve all terminally ill children and their families in the greater Sacramento area, in partnership with other area hospitals. We are working with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to determine if a novel TV, radio and newspaper ad campaign we developed can help encourage participation in cancer clinical trials.

We are proud of our rich and robust history as an institution that thrives on a multidisciplinary approach to medicine. This issue only touches on a small but representative part of it. We look forward to hearing your thoughts about our efforts. E-mail us at ucdavismedicine@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.

Sincerely,