UC Davis Medical Center

08/21/2026

Many medical terms in healthcare can be confusing, especially when choosing a primary care provider. For example, understanding the difference between family medicine and internal medicine can help you find the right care for you.

If you're not sure where to start, our Cultivating Health blog breaks down what you need to know about each type of doctor:

Family medicine and internal medicine both provide primary care, but they serve different ages and needs. Understanding their differences can help you choose the right care with confidence.

08/20/2026

Congratulations to this month's Point of Pride (POP) Award winner, Melissa Hatten, a MOSC III Lead at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center! The POP Award recognizes the countless acts of empathy and kindness that take place across our health system, every day.

Melissa was nominated for creating intentional opportunities for colleagues to connect and feel included at work. Here are some excerpts from the nomination:

"Melissa took it upon herself to organize a holiday crafting session during our lunch breaks, inviting staff from multiple departments. This created a joyful, low-stress space where coworkers could connect, decompress, and bond through creative expression, boosting morale during a typically high-pressure time.

Earlier, she also led a plant swap event where staff could bring in extra plants or cuttings to share. What made this special was Melissa’s ability to turn a simple idea into a meaningful opportunity for connection. It wasn’t just about plants; it was about cultivating a shared sense of community and belonging.

Melissa never misses a beat when it comes to relationship-building and creating inclusive spaces...Whether she’s helping navigate complex scheduling issues or simply checking in on a coworker who seems overwhelmed, Melissa is the type of leader who uplifts everyone around her. What truly sets her apart is how intentional she is about building community across departments. She regularly organizes thoughtful events, seemingly small gestures that have a huge impact on morale and connection. These aren’t just fun activities; they’re moments that remind us we’re more than just coworkers; we’re a team...

She’s not only reliable and resourceful, she’s the heartbeat of our clinic culture."

Congratulations to Melissa on her POP Award!

Image descriptions:
1: Three people, including Melissa holding a certificate, stand together smiling for a photo next to a poster board that says POP Award.
2: A large group of people stand behind a conference room table, posing for a photo with Melissa and the POP Award poster.

08/14/2026

Nearly half of all runners experience an injury at some point. From acute injuries like slips and falls to chronic pain caused by overuse, poor training habits or worn-out shoes, running injuries can sideline even the most experienced runners.

The good news? A few simple changes can help keep you running strong.

Orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Ryan Freshman shares 5 common running injuries, plus tips to prevent and treat them:

Nearly 50% of runners experience an injury, often from overuse, poor training or worn-out shoes. The good news: simple prevention and treatment strategies can help keep you active and reduce your risk of injury.

08/13/2026

A new study from UC Davis students who worked at a free, student-run service for those in Sacramento is shedding light on an innovative approach to expanding access to to***co cessation services among Asian American communities.

The study found that a proactive outreach strategy that included connecting Paul Hom Asian Clinic patients who use to***co with an evidence-based treatment service helped patients take the first step in quitting to***co.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, then-UC Davis medical student Samantha Wong and faculty mentor Elisa Tong turned a to***co-related research idea into a collaborative project involving undergraduate volunteers, with support from Ronald Jan, former medical director of the clinic. Today, several of those volunteers are medical students, including at the UC Davis School of Medicine.

The results suggest that trusted community clinics can play an important role in connecting local communities with to***co treatment resources.

Image description: From left to right: Ronald Jan, Jingyanshan Li, Samantha Wong, Conan Lee, Elisa Tong and Marissa Bashore were honored at the Greater Sacramento Smoke and Tobacco-Free Coalition’s Annual Recognition meeting. Several of them hold certificates in a room as they pose for a photo.

08/11/2026

We're pleased to share that we've opened a new Organ Donor Care Unit, expanding our partnership with Sierra Donor Services and strengthening our efforts to advance organ donation and transplantation throughout the region and beyond.

The specialized unit, which recently received approval from the California Department of Public Health, provides dedicated care for organ donors while helping preserve organ function and maximize opportunities for successful transplantation.

The Organ Donor Care Unit brings together a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and other clinical professionals who work alongside Sierra Donor Services to provide coordinated, compassionate care throughout the donation process. The dedicated unit supports donors and their families while creating an environment focused on optimizing organ donation and transplantation.

"This is an important milestone for UC Davis Health and a reflection of what is possible when compassionate care, clinical expertise and strong partnerships come together. Every organ donor has the potential to save or improve multiple lives, and this new unit honors that extraordinary gift while helping more patients receive the lifesaving transplants they need," said Christine Williams, chief nursing executive.

Image description: Four healthcare professionals work in the OR.

08/10/2026

08/07/2026

When Liz Baxmeyer's father had an extended hospital visit a few years ago, it gave Liz an idea. She started recording various soundscapes and short nature videos, such as water streaming down the riverbank and birds singing in the trees to share with her dad during hospital visits.

After her father passed, Liz wanted to give back, which led to a teamwide collaboration between the CARE Project, Facilities Planning and Development and Liz to launch the meditation menu project.

“The project is rooted in the idea that nature can help people find balance and beauty in the world, and offer a sense of respite and connection, especially during difficult times in the hospital,” Liz said.

Soundscapes support relaxation by immersing listeners in the sounds of natural environments. The layered, authentic sounds, such as rushing water, a fresh breeze or rustling leaves, can calm the mind and reduce stress.

Liz has completed 12 soundscapes and meditations that you can find around the hospital, dedicating more than 85 hours of volunteer work to the project. She is also developing a meditation designed specifically for burn patients.

Learn more about the project and how you can listen to the meditations and soundscapes: https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/nature-inspired-soundscapes-and-meditations-bring-comfort-to-hospital-patients-and-staff/2026/07

Image descriptions:
1: Liz sits in a field with headphones on, while recording audio of nature. Photo credit: Becca Henry.
2: A wide shot of the hospital hallway shows a small circular sign for the CARE project.
3: A close-up shows the hospital sign that has the CARE project logo and a QR code that reads: Scan for guided meditation menu.
4: Liz sits, right of Phil Ryder, her father, indoors; they smile with arms crossed, posing for a photo.

08/06/2026

We're excited to share that Payam Saadai, professor of clinical surgery and fellowship-trained pediatric and fetal surgeon, has been appointed chief of the Division of Pediatric General, Thoracic and Fetal Surgery in the UC Davis Department of Surgery.

“Over the past decade, Dr. Saadai has demonstrated the thoughtful leadership, clinical excellence, and innovative research that define our Department of Surgery. His ability to build transformative clinical programs, advance groundbreaking research, and mentor the next generation of surgeon-scientists positions the Division of Pediatric, Thoracic, and Fetal Surgery for continued growth and national prominence," said Diana Farmer, chair of the department.

Dr. Saadai first came to UC Davis Health in 2011 as the inaugural research fellow in the Center for Surgical Bioengineering, where he contributed to research that led to the ongoing $15 million CuRe Trial, the first-in-human clinical trial of stem cell treatment for fetal repair of spina bifida.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Saadai on this appointment! https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/saadai-appointed-chief-of-pediatric-general-thoracic-and-fetal-surgery/2026/08

Image description: Headshot of Payam Saadai wearing a suit standing outside.

08/05/2026

Congratulations to this month's Point of Pride (POP) Award winner, Paetu Yang, a lab technician in our Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic! The POP Award recognizes the countless acts of empathy and kindness that take place across our health system, every day.

When a patient informed Paetu that they stopped going to the gym because they didn't know how to use the equipment, Paetu asked the patient to take photos of what the gym had to offer. Over the weekend, they created a custom exercise plan with photos and instructions for the patient to use based on the equipment they had access to. This allowed the patient to exercise safely, a critical part of their cardiac recovery plan.

"Paetu empowered this patient, respected their individual circumstances and ensured they had the tools they needed to be successful. That is exactly the kind of compassionate, patient-centered care we strive to deliver every day at UC Davis Health,” said Kimmie Bleichner-Jones, Interim Chief Operating Officer.

Congratulations to Paetu on his POP Award!

Image descriptions:
1: Paetu Yang in maroon UC Davis Health scrubs smiles for a photo holding a certificate and glass award. A POP Award board is in the background.
2: A group of people huddles around Paetu for a photo.