Patient Stories

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

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

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.”

Read more

‘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.

Read more

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.’

Read more

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.

Read more
Heart Health

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.

Read more

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.

Read more
Surgery

Local fetal and cardiac surgery team saves Folsom baby with heart defect

When a routine ultrasound at 20 weeks revealed a potential heart defect in their developing baby, Stephanie and Travis Dover of Folsom were caught off guard.

Read more
Cancer Care

Mom’s ‘gut feeling’ leads to daughter’s cancer diagnosis, treatment at UC Davis

Peyton, a sassy, spirited girl who had endless energy was just not herself, so her mom took the then 3-year-old into the local urgent care clinic near their home and insisted on a blood test.

Read more

Father, daughter treated for diabetes by same UC Davis team

Not only does Elena have her dad to help her through her new diagnosis, she has the same care team helping to manage her diabetes.

Read more
Cancer Care

Isaac’s story: A boy with leukemia and his family’s drive to save his life

Our pediatric oncologists helped Isaac replace chemotherapy and bed rest with the freedom to be a kid again.

Read more

We love to hear from families after their child’s care experience

After De’Jaye’s diagnosis of narcolepsy with cataplexy, Dr. Nandalike has advocated for my daughter and educated us as a family. We thank her for bringing so much light to our dark situation.

Read more
Surgery

Jaelyn’s story: A road to recovery

After a serious car accident, UC Davis Children’s Hospital enveloped both my daughter and I in kindness, care and community. We felt as though we were part of a team, and everyone was invested in Jaelyn’s recovery.

Read more

Football player receives a cheerful surprise and world-class care after game injury

Julian broke his arm in the fourth quarter after completing a tackle, and was admitted to UC Davis Children’s Hospital for surgery.

Read more

Theodore’s story

Theodore first visited UC Davis in February 2019. Even though we never want to be back in a hospital, we love everything about UC Davis. He is now an energetic boy that loves to play, talk and go to school!

Read more

Boy makes excellent recovery after ruptured brain aneurysm

James has continued to make great strides, relearning to ride a bike and taking piano lessons. He has gone back to the rock-climbing gym, a pastime he enjoyed before his world changed so drastically.

Read more

Infant’s RSV exposes life-threatening heart defect

Pediatric nurse expresses gratitude after his co-workers save his daughter’s life.

Read more
Maternity

One-in-a-million pregnancy brings woman to UC Davis Health

Her newborn son died of a rare disorder. Brianna Thompson was going to do everything she could to save her next child.

Read more
Surgery

Defying the odds: Recovery of a teenage stroke survivor

17-year-old boy receives life-saving neurological care at UC Davis Medical Center.

Read more

Fresno teenager was a picture of health and never dreamed he would have a heart attack

His first symptom was repeated vomiting. He thought it was something he had eaten at his football banquet dinner earlier that evening. But when he started having trouble breathing, his grandma called 911.

Read more

Clinic helps 10-year-old with inflammatory bowel disease get back to being a kid

Adam Olson had always been a funny, active kid. But when his mom noticed he had low energy and lost his sense of humor, she turned to the experts at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Read more
Heart Health

Cardiac procedure saves child with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome

“Dr. Frank Ing took one look at Zyllah and said that she had SVC syndrome. Right off the bat he knew it and he knew what to do to treat it. We were so relieved.”

Read more
Heart Health

Happy homecoming for local baby after high-risk heart procedures

JJ Gomez-Flores’ heart defect meant a long, scary road ahead. But he and his family would not be alone on the ride.

Read more
Cancer Care

Michigan boy’s life and limb saved by UC Davis care team

Osteosarcoma meant 11-year-old Darren would likely lose his leg. But his family sought hope and another opinion.

Read more

Staff shout-out to exceptional leader Dean Blumberg

Dr. Blumberg is kind and understanding with a great attitude and goes above and beyond to be helpful. He is a real tribute to UC Davis Health.

Read more

We love to hear from families after their child’s care experience

Thanks to UC Davis Children’s Hospital Alaina has improved so much since her hospital stay. View her new photos to see how much she’s accomplished.

Read more

Jenna’s story

Born with a cleft lip and palate, Jenna’s relied on the expertise of our Cleft & Craniofacial Reconstruction team. Because of her care experiences, she’s become an advocate for craniofacial patients around the world.

Read more
Heart Health

Baby with congenital heart disease finds winning care team

Lodi infant with Tetralogy of Fallot needed multiple heart surgeries.

Read more
Share your patient story

Let the healing that began at UC Davis Children’s Hospital continue here by sharing your special story.

Your story will provide comfort and inspiration to other patients and their families at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. In turn, they’ll tell their story and we’ll all feel a lot better soon.

Boy petting a therapy dog at UC Davis Children's Hospital

Give a shout-out to our caring team

Submit a staff shout-out