UC Davis Health

A new UC Davis MIND Institute study reveals how Rett syndrome, a rare genetic condition, affects males and females differently. Symptom progression is linked to changes in gene responses in brain cells. The study analyzed the cerebral cortices of male and female mice with and without MECP2 mutation at three timepoints: before symptoms, when symptoms started, and during late disease stage. It looked at gene expression in 14 different cell types. “In an X-linked dominant disorder such as Rett, it is important to know that females do not just have less severe symptoms than males. Their condition is different,” said Janine LaSalle, lead author of the study and professor of microbiology and immunology. “That is why it is important to study female mouse models of Rett. They are more relevant for developing treatments.” Learn more about the study: https://lnkd.in/g8S6ffr8

This National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), our DiversABILITY ERG co-chairs, Carolyn R. and Sarah Janus, share how you can be a better ally and make accessibility a common practice – not an afterthought.

We're excited to share that the American Physiological Society recently named Manuel Navedo the 2025 recipient of the Robert M. Berne Distinguished Lectureship! The society’s Cardiovascular Section presents this award annually to an established leader in cardiovascular research. “I am so happy and honored to receive this distinguished lectureship,” Navedo said. “I am also very grateful for the support of colleagues and mentors who nominated me for this award.” Learn more about his work and the award: https://lnkd.in/gQuRSdDM

Always innovating for patients – UC Davis Health is teaming up with partners on a new project that will use AI to better predict who is at risk for progression of AFib and who will benefit the most from specific treatments. This is one of the first NIH-funded studies that relies on multimodality to improve outcomes for patients. https://lnkd.in/gWy5uNzw

This #CelebrateHealthcareSecurityandSafetyWeek, we're spotlighting the critical role of our Protective Services Officers (PSOs) in serving staff, patients and their visitors. Our PSOs are a dedicated and caring group of individuals who selflessly put themselves on the front line daily, demonstrating their dedication and commitment to serving others. PSOs work tirelessly to provide a safe and secure health care environment, and their efforts support a community of care that is conducive to quality treatment for patients and their families. Please join us in thanking our Protective Services Officers for providing high-quality protection on our campus!

UC Davis Health Specialty Pharmacy achieved several milestones at this year’s National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP) conference. Our Assistant Chief of Specialty Pharmacy, David Mitchell, PharmD, MBA, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award, competing against esteemed leaders who contribute extensively to the specialty pharmacy community through leadership, advocacy, community involvement, and innovation. The award is presented to an individual who has provided outstanding leadership and made sustained and important contributions to the advancement of the specialty pharmacy industry and NASP organizationally. This event provided a fantastic platform to highlight the great, impactful work our pharmacy team does to support patients and improve their overall experience. 

On the second Sunday of October falls a lesser-known, National Father-Daughter Day, and what better way to celebrate than a father-daughter duo at our hospital? John Anderson is a professor of surgery in the Division of Trauma, Acute Care, and General Surgery. He has been with us since 1988. His daughter, Samantha Brown, completed her emergency medicine residency here in 2019 and has been a faculty member since July 2023. Samantha had been in and out of the hospital with her father ever since she was 5 years old doing morning rounds with him. She started scrubbing in on cases when she was a teenager in our Observer Program which allowed people to scrub in to get a better educational view. We took the time to ask them what it’s like to work together: They both were asked what was their favorite thing about working with each other. Samantha explained "It is great to learn directly from him. I also enjoy when I see his patients in the ED and tell them that I am his daughter. His patients absolutely love him, and so I really love their reaction when I tell them that their care gets to "stay in the family." John said "When I hear compliments about my daughter from patients or staff who don't know she is my daughter." They were also asked what is the most challenging part of working with each other. John explained "There really hasn’t been anything weird or challenging so far. Though, she did say that if I needed a scalpel in the ER, she wouldn’t let me borrow hers. I guess we’ll have to deal with that when it comes up.' Samantha followed with "Nothing! It’s been so much fun! We have a fun time working together." It’s unique to find a father-daughter duo who work so closely together in a related field. We’re so happy to highlight John and Samantha and share their passion for providing the best care at our hospital and their incredible parent-child relationship on National Father-Daughter Day. And, of course, Samantha would always let him borrow a stethoscope... just not her one.

In August, the University of California, Davis - School of Medicine became one of the first and few medical schools in the nation to offer a business of medicine course to help third—and fourth-year medical students better understand the health care industry holistically. The course is part of our school’s modernized curriculum, I-EXPLORE. Created and taught by Gaurav Gulati, M.D., M.Sc., M.B.A., our senior medical director of ambulatory specialties, the course includes discussions on how health care systems function and introduces prominent issues that physicians often encounter but are not exposed to in medical training. “As delivery of medical care becomes more complex, it is essential for physicians to develop a good framework for understanding the ever-changing drivers of the business of health care.” - Gaurav Gulati Learn more about the course here: https://lnkd.in/gnTEKiFF

This #PAWeek, Teresa Thetford, Director of the PA Program at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis is sharing the history and trajectory of Physician Assistants in hopes of increasing awareness of the second-fastest growing health profession and its importance in transforming the nation’s health: #PAsGoBeyond

Nicole Robbins knows the fear and discomfort that comes with stage 3 breast cancer. In 2022, she was diagnosed with inflammatory triple-negative breast cancer and was entered into our clinical trial designed to improve the outcomes of high-risk breast cancer patients. This extensive trial included powerful chemotherapy drugs and hours of sitting in an infusion chair. During this, she became inspired to take on her new project, Ta Ta Totes. “I experienced everything that came with treatment. It was hard and I saw other women, many of them alone, going through the same thing," explained Robbins. A Ta Ta Tote contains items designed to make chemotherapy treatment easier for patients, from fleece blankets to ginger chews. Eventually, she launched a nonprofit fundraising organization, Harvest 4 Pink. The website not only sells totes but also features tips, book recommendations, and helpful gifts to buy for those being treated for breast cancer. Read more about her incredible journey here: https://lnkd.in/ghMteJUi