UC Davis Children's Hospital

08/25/2026

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a Level 4 nursery (the highest possible rating) for the Sacramento region, providing care for infants who are born prematurely, are extremely ill or require surgery. View our facilities.

Welcome to the NICU at UC Davis Children's Hospital. This short vid...

08/21/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Payam Saadai, who has been appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery in the UC Davis Department of Surgery.

Dr. Saadai also leads the UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center, and serves as director of the Pediatric Colorectal Center at UC Davis Health.

Payam Saadai, associate professor and fellowship-trained pediatric and fetal surgeon, has been appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery.

08/20/2026

We are happy to share the news of this award from the American College of Cardiology!

UC Davis Children’s Hospital has earned national recognition for its commitment to high-quality care for patients with adult congenital heart disease and pediatric cardiology.

08/05/2026

Leaving the hospital should be about recovery, not running errands.

For the past two years, our Meds to Beds program has helped pediatric and adult patients go home with their medications in hand, removing barriers, improving medication access and supporting safer transitions from hospital to home.

“It's convenient, but more importantly, it helps ensure patients have the medications they need and understand how to take them. That can lead to better health outcomes, prevent complications, reduce hospital readmissions and, in severe cases, save lives," said Kevin Lau, manager of retail pharmacy.

For the pharmacy discharge team, the program's growth reflects a simple yet powerful goal of ensuring patients have the tools they need to continue their recovery after hospitalization.

Learn how this innovative program is helping patients start treatment sooner and reduce the risk of readmission.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/uc-davis-health-celebrates-two-years-of-meds-to-beds-program/2026/07

Image description: A group of the discharge pharmacy team, wearing grey UC Davis Health scrubs and badges, pose for a photo inside the hospital lobby.

08/03/2026

Local elementary school students are bringing color, encouragement and comfort to families in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit while construction crews modernize patient rooms.

The artwork, created by students at Cowan Fundamental Elementary School, covers the construction containment windows, replacing plain brown paper with cheerful drawings, encouraging messages, smiling faces and bright colors.

“As I walked the corridors after construction containment was installed, I wanted to find a way to brighten the space and bring some level of positivity. I’m beyond proud of what the kids from Cowan did for Pediatric ICU patients and families," said John Sandberg, a project manager with DPR Construction, who wanted to make the temporary construction area more welcoming.

While construction continues behind the temporary walls, the colorful displays serve as a reminder that healing environments are shaped not only by new equipment and renovated spaces but also by community kindness.

Image descriptions:
1: Several people stand together in a hospital hallway holding colorful artwork filled with hand-drawn flowers, smiley faces and positive messages. Several people wear construction safety vests and hard hats, while others wear clinical attire.
2: Colorful artwork created by elementary school students features dozens of hand-drawn flowers with smiling faces, encouraging messages and bright rainbow colors. Logos for James Cowan Fundamental Elementary School, San Juan Unified School District, DPR Construction, UC Davis Health and Facilities Planning and Development Division appear across the top.

08/01/2026

They called him a miracle baby. Today, Michael is a thriving 10-month-old warrior.

At 22 weeks pregnant, Elizabeth Randel faced a serious complication that threatened her pregnancy and her baby's future, spending more than 80 days in the hospital when baby Michael arrived at just 34 weeks.

“My biggest fear was the unknown. The care team had proven they were both experienced and kind. I just had to let go and trust more strangers with the life of my child," Elizabeth said.

He was rushed to the UC Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a designated Level 4 nursery (the highest possible rating) for the Sacramento region. Our NICU provides specialized intensive care for infants who are born prematurely, face critical health challenges or require surgery.

Michael was diagnosed with a condition no one anticipated: he had no way to p**p. Multiple surgeries followed, but so did milestone after milestone.

Thankfully, UC Davis Children’s Hospital has the region’s only dedicated pediatric colorectal surgery center, part of a national pediatric colorectal and pelvic learning consortium.

“I don't know how Dr. Anderson did that. It looks normal, and there were no issues. He p**ped the very next day after the connection surgery. Whatever she did, she did it with precision and gave my son the chance to have some normalcy in his life. Dr. Anderson is amazing!”

Michael is one resilient little boy!

Image descriptions:
1: Elizabeth Randel holds her son, Michael, outside at a park.
2: Michael sleeping in a bed, being monitored with medical equipment.
3: Elizabeth, Anthony and Michael Randel reunite with pediatric general surgeon Jamie Anderson at the UC Davis Medical Center.

07/30/2026

The Hyundai Hope On Wheels stopped at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center last week to deliver a $100,000 check to fight childhood cancer.

Since 1998, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has awarded 14 grants to UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, totaling $1,310,000 in funding.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Marcio Malogolowkin, chief of the Division of Pediatric Oncology-Hematology at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, has received a Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant.

“This will help our kids by improving their lives during therapy and advancing their long-term outcomes, but it will also help us find new modalities, therapies and ways to care for our patients,” Malogolowkin said.

On hand to provide a “high five” and a thank you was 8-year-old cancer patient Alizah.

“UC Davis gave Alizah her childhood back and gave her her voice,” said the girl’s mother, Malia Martinez. “We didn’t get the help we needed until we came here. Thank you.”

Image description:
1. Twenty-three people gather on stage, surrounding a $100,000 enlarged check from Hyundai Hope on Wheels.
2. A person in a white coat holds out his painted hands.
3. A child wearing a mask puts painted hands on a white Hyundai SUV.

07/28/2026

07/23/2026

To infinity ... and beyond! Movie magic makes hospital days a little brighter. Thanks to Disney and Starlight Children's Foundation, our patients enjoyed a special screening of Toy Story 5 right here at the hospital!

Image description: Two children sit in a playroom with a large screen TV alongside two facility dogs.

07/14/2026

We are delighted to share the happy news that Jerome, our newest facility dog, has joined our Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department team! He is working on our Tower 6 acute care pediatrics unit and Tower 4 adolescent unit.

He is the first new facility dog to join the children’s hospital in five years. He joins our four other Canine Companions facility dogs at our children's hospital: Huggie, Paloma, ZeeBee and Daniels.

Jerome, the hospital’s new facility dog, is winning hearts with his dedication and gift for brightening kids’ days.