UC Davis Health

To close out #WomenInMedicineMonth, the newly appointed leaders of our UC Davis Women in Medicine and Health Sciences (WIMHS) Program, Dr. Bryn Mumma and Dr. Cat Cansino, shared how the WIMHS program will continue to advance the success of women in medicine and health sciences across UC Davis Health:

We're excited to share that the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM) recently honored Stephany Sanchez, associate clinical professor of Internal Medicine, with its 2025 AAIM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award! The award recognizes an individual or team that promotes and champions diversity, equity, and inclusion in their department of medicine. “I’m deeply honored and humbled to receive this award from such a renowned organization that is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care,” Sanchez said. “This recognition is the result of an entire team’s effort, and it highlights the important work happening at UC Davis Health to close the diversity gap and ensure equity in medical education and health care outcomes.” Learn more about the award: https://lnkd.in/gB5FQzaY

September is #WomenInMedicineMonth, and what better way to celebrate this than with one of our exceptional doctors, Marcia “Marcy” Faustin? Faustin was recently featured in many news outlets for her work with the U.S. Gymnastics women's team at the Olympics this past summer. 🤸 Dr. Faustin sat down with us to discuss the details of her career in family and sports medicine, her time at the Olympics, and the difference that women in medicine can make. 💙 Read the whole interview here: https://lnkd.in/dcAuXv_v

Happy #NationalAPPWeek—a week that honors the skill and hard work of the more than 400 nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, and nurse midwives across the health system. Advanced practice providers are certified and licensed to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage illnesses, prescribe medications, perform clinical procedures, and conduct clinical research in the management of the whole individual. Joseph Galante, chief medical officer for hospital clinical care service, said, “Our APPs play such a critical role in the delivery of high-quality patient care, and your commitment to excellence is inspiring. Their contributions are vital to our mission of providing patient-centered care. They are leaders, mentors, and advocates, ensuring that every patient receives the compassionate, expert care they deserve.” We are so grateful to the incredible Advanced practice providers throughout our health system! Thank you for all you do.

In observance of #HispanicHeritageMonth, we asked students and faculty to reflect on their unique experiences as a Latine/x/a/o in health care and on what this month means to them. First up, Francisco Bautista Rodriguez, MEPN student, C/o 2025: Why do you think it is so important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? I believe it is vital to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month to combat stereotypes and bring cultural awareness. Hispanics have had a lot of contributions in society and have served as a backbone throughout history. With a month of recognition, it has allowed many to recognize and thoroughly understand the backgrounds and cultures Hispanics bring forward. Can you describe your experience in higher education and/or medical education as a Latinx individual? In higher education and/or medical education, there is a scarcity of Latinx medical professionals. Entering a field where there is little to no representation can cause imposter syndrome. Rather than having this belittle and take a toll on myself, I recognize and embrace the challenge faced. I slowly create an impact not only for myself, but for those who I will be able to help on a daily basis. There has been nothing more rewarding than being able to see the smiles on patients during my clinical rotations when they realize we can communicate in Spanish together. Witnessing firsthand that in our cohort itself, there are multiple Latinx students fills me with joy, knowing there will be numerous competent nurses who come from similar backgrounds. Who are your Latinx role models? One of my Latinx role models is Cesar Chavez. His advocacy for agricultural workers has made impacts for decades. Not only did he lead successful strikes and boycotts for farm laborers, but he had a significant role in social justice. His efforts spotlighted the inequalities that Hispanic and Latinx people faced. Another Latinx role model of mine is someone who broke numerous barriers throughout his career, Eugenio Derbez. Eugenio is a movie icon for the Latinx community. Through the power of his cinematic craft, he has brought attention to real-world problems faced by many Latinx. His efforts first started in Mexico, and he eventually became one of the most influential stars to represent many. With his tireless effort, he has united families and raised cultural awareness to the Latinx community. One of my favorite quotes from Eugenio is, “a la vida no le importa si estás o no preparado.” (life does not care if you are ready).

We are so proud to have hosted the 34th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Black Academic Surgeons (SBAS) over the weekend. The sold-out event drew more than 300 academic surgeons to our health campus, including medical school deans, faculty, residents and medical students from across the nation. “This was an important opportunity to highlight the work we are doing to reduce disparities in health care and show the increasing inclusivity and diversity of our faculty and student population,” said Diana Farmer, distinguished professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery. Learn more about the event: https://lnkd.in/gkwm_TgN

Our surgeons are leading the way in using augmented reality goggles to improve surgical procedures. Augmented reality is a technology that allows you to see how something may look without physically holding or seeing it. It can potentially influence everything from how we communicate to how we receive health care. “Virtual reality replaces your real surroundings with a completely virtual environment, while augmented reality incorporates digital imagery within the real environment,” explained E. Bradley Strong, professor and vice-chair of otolaryngology. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gnTGmcfr

Today we are celebrating the 500th investigational cell & gene therapy product formulated and delivered to the clinic @UCDavis Health by our amazing Alpha Clinic team! 🎉👏🏻 Huge thank you to California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) for funding this excellent program. 🙏

We're excited to share that we have become the first hospital in the Sacramento region authorized to perform a lifesaving, minimally invasive procedure to treat complex aortic aneurysms. The procedure, known as a thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis, or TAMBE, provides an alternative to open-chest and abdomen surgery, which requires lengthy hospitalization. “We are excited to offer the Sacramento community this novel treatment that offers fewer complications and a quicker recovery schedule,” said Misty D. Humphries, interim chief of vascular surgery. “Efforts like this are an example of how we are aiming to deliver optimal outcomes for our patients.” Learn more about the innovative and invasive procedure: https://lnkd.in/gAa3P3DE

We recently celebrated a turning point in constructing the Folsom Medical Care Clinic with a close-in ceremony and sign unveiling! This marked the completion of the building’s weather barrier and exterior skin. The three-story, 114,000-square-foot care clinic is the first of several projects planned for the 34-acre Folsom Center for Health site. In addition to consolidating three existing leased Folsom clinics, the care clinic will house our only extension of radiology and infusion services, aside from the Placer Center for Health in Rocklin. “Looking at the building now, I am just floored and amazed,” said Dr. Allen Hall, M.D., Medical Director of the UC Davis Health Community Physicians Group. “Bringing this building online allows UC Davis to serve the Folsom community in the best capacity we can so patients in this community can be spared from driving to the main hospital to get these necessary services.”