At a glance

For 2024–2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the nation’s best in five pediatric specialties, including neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. The orthopedics ranking was awarded in collaboration with Shriners Children’s Northern California, our longstanding partner in caring for children with burns, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic disorders and urological issues.

UC Davis Health’s pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology residency programs were each awarded $125,000 from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) to enhance training and ensure a robust primary health care workforce in California. The pediatrics grant will support the development of a behavioral mental health rotation for residents, and the OBGYN grant will allow residents to work in geographical areas that have a shortage of women’s health providers.

The UC Davis Health Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and our Children’s Surgery Center PACU received a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). We are the only PACU on the West Coast to receive this honor. The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments — recognizes caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. These standards are skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition and authentic leadership.

Satyan Lakshminrusimha, M.D., M.B.B.S., chair of the Department of Pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, Tiffani Johnson, M.D., M.Sc., associate professor of emergency medicine, and Heather McKnight, M.D., division chief of pediatric hospital medicine, were among 60 pediatricians, subspecialists and trainees recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics for exemplary achievements in advocacy, practice and research.

Ulfat Shaikh, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., professor of pediatrics and medical director of health care quality at UC Davis Health, has been elected to the International Academy of Quality and Safety (IAQS). IAQS recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the field of quality and safety in health care and excellence of leadership within research, academia or service delivery.

UC Davis Children’s Hospital opened its Panda Cares Center of Hope, a dedicated space to promote healing and address the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health of children. Thanks to funding by Panda Express associates and guests, the center will include therapeutic play, art therapy, music therapy and academic enrichment, all designed to give children courage and strength through their hospitalization.