Patient Stories

Female and male doctors in casual clothes stand next to a mother holding her infant baby in a hospital room.

Maternity

Neurosurgery, maternal-fetal medicine team save pregnant woman of risky spinal fluid cyst

Empowered by knowledge and guided by expert care, Darlene navigated a complex pregnancy.

Hai and daughter Viana stand close together outdoors in front of a house and leafy plants. They are forming a heart shape with their hands.

Surgery

Teenage daughter’s bone marrow saves dad’s life

Viana’s bone marrow donation made a life-changing difference to her father, Hai Trinh.

Patient born with organs outside of her abdomen receives transformative care

Everly received a life-saving surgical repair in October 2024. Now that she has recovered, she is unstoppable.

Savon and pediatric epileptologist Trishna Kantamneni high-five during a clinic visit.

Two years after epilepsy surgery, 8-year-old is seizure-free and medication-free

A team of pediatric epilepsy experts and a successful neurological surgery helped Savon become seizure-free.

Fetal surgery at UC Davis Health gives Ohio baby new hope

Lexy and Jack Harrington were moving from Ohio to Florida when a spina bifida diagnosis changed their pregnancy plans.

Pediatric pulmonology patient Emilio and respiratory therapist Audrey

Sleep apnea treatment improves quality of life for Redding teen

From the time he was a toddler, Emilio had trouble sleeping. But it wasn’t just usual restlessness. His family knew something was wrong, so they turned to our pediatric pulmonology and sleep medicine program.

Surgery

She dances. Dreams of being a doctor. Shines with a heart defect.

Learn how our pediatric specialists gave Ruby a bright future and the inspiration to become a doctor.

Surgery

Minimally invasive ablation treats osteoid osteoma in young athlete

A football injury leads to discovery of a tumor in boy’s leg.

We love to hear from families after their care experience

A mother expresses appreciation for the compassionate care her daughter received from the pediatric emergency department team.

Surgery

‘They gave our child a chance to live a normal life’

UC Davis Health surgeons lengthen infant’s jaw so he can breathe on his own.

Surgery

CuRe Trial helps Leo have a promising future

Leo graduated from the CuRe Trial, the world’s first spina bifida treatment combining fetal surgery with stem cells.

Pediatric nephrology patient Justin with pediatric nephrologist Stephanie Tram-Anh Nguyen

Surgery

On dialysis for 7 years, local teen gets life-changing kidney transplant

Justin will turn 16 in a few months and he and his mom are excited about what’s to come. “The gift he was given is amazing. It came from God, a selfless family and UC Davis. We are so grateful.”

Kristin with her newborn in the hospital

Maternity

UC Davis nurse’s cautionary tale of postpartum preeclampsia

Working at UC Davis Health, and leaning on personal experience, Kristin is passionate about sharing her cautionary tale.

Frank Ing, chief of pediatric cardiology, with Amanda and her daughter Lillian

Surgery

Infant is first in region to get innovative stent that grows with her into adulthood

Lillian was born with a congenital heart condition and needed open heart surgery. Thanks to an innovative stent she now has so much energy, is more lively, and has been smiling nonstop.

Newborn quadruplets Fern, Jane, Kit and Royal

Naturally conceived quadruplets born at UC Davis Children’s Hospital

On Nov. 14 the Delgado’s celebrated the arrival of identical girls Fern, Jane and Kit, and fraternal brother, Royal.

Pedro’s story

After a routine eye exam revealed to be much more serious than vision correction, Pedro and his family turned to UC Davis doctors for answers and are forever grateful that they did.

Life-saving stem cell transplant program offers a lifeline

Faith was diagnosed in early 2024 with acute myeloid leukemia. When she was offered the opportunity for a stem cell transplant, her family decided it was a lifeline for their daughter that they couldn’t refuse.

We love to hear from families after their care experience

After being diagnosed with hyperlactation, a mother expresses gratitude after receiving unique lactation support and raises awareness about becoming a milk donor for the UC Health Milk Bank.

Pediatric cancer patient AJ in the hospital

Lodi boy battles cancer with support from UC Davis and local community

“Not only do we have support, love and good care from UC Davis, our community continues to rally around us.”

Baby born at 22 weeks gestation, saved by Sacramento firefighters and UC Davis Health

Jazmin’s baby girl Daleyza was 1 pound, 1 ounce at birth. Thanks to the care she received, Daleyza was nearly 8 pounds when she was discharged after spending 146 days in the NICU.

17-year-old Roseville girl nearly dies of ‘walking pneumonia’

Teen reunites with UC Davis Health team that saved her life.

UC Davis Children’s Hospital provides life-saving care to Lodi baby

After Ruthie was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a heart defect, a multidisciplinary team helps her soar.

UC Davis respiratory therapist Audrey and patient Eduardo wearing his CPAP mask

Unique support from a respiratory therapist helps patient, mother with CPAP care

After Eduardo was struggling with wearing his CPAP, his respiratory therapist helps him make a breakthrough.

CuRe trial provides family hope for a better future

“We couldn’t be more full of gratitude for our little miracle boy and everyone at UC Davis who has made his miracle possible.”

‘Nothing holds him back’: Child born with 2 very rare conditions gets life-saving care

17 surgeries later, 6-year-old Shine runs on prosthetic legs and Paralympic dreams.

Local girl’s cardiac care both life-saving and life-changing

Diagnosed with aortopulmonary window and supravalvular aortic stenosis, local girl gives new meaning to ‘big hearted.’

R. Lor Randall, chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, with pediatric orthopaedic patient Syndey

Surgeons use collarbone to create new upper arm for young cancer patient

Exceptionally rare procedure helps 9-year-old avoid amputation after she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

UC Davis doctor first in the world to implant a retrievable leadless pacemaker in a child

“It’s amazing how small the device is. It’s like the size of one AA battery,” said Heather Hayes, whose son Matias was the first to have the procedure done.

Julia in the hospital with care team members

Local teen walks again after tubing accident, thanks to UC Davis Children’s Hospital

Julia was a talented gymnast. She had just taken first place at a regional competition and her future looked bright. On a day out with friends, that future changed dramatically when she had a water tubing accident.

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