News releases
January 2021
UC Davis pediatric heart patient enters Rock Your Scar contest
January 22, 2021
Two-year-old Leo Woo has already had two successful heart surgeries, thanks to UC Davis pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Gary Raff. Leo’s parents Sarah Ehrman and Chris Woo have entered Leo in this year’s Rock Your Scar, a national contest hosted by Mended Little Hearts to raise awareness about congenital heart defects.
December 2020
COVID-19 in the community: Employees suffer, too
December 17, 2020
Despite their best efforts at work, some UC Davis Health employees are getting caught by the pandemic at home
UC Davis Health patient gets Northern California’s first robotic mitral valve repair
December 9, 2020
Kris Dyas is the first patient in Northern California to have robotic-assisted surgery to repair his leaky mitral heart valve.
Pediatric Heart Center hosted international conference
December 2, 2020
The UC Davis Pediatric Heart Center hosted an international pediatric cardiology conference via Zoom this fall with the pediatric cardiology team from Sejong Cardiac Hospital in Seoul, South Korea.
September 2020
Thoracic surgeon honored with membership in elite organization
September 30, 2020
David Tom Cooke, head of general thoracic surgery at UC Davis Health, is one of 50 surgical educators inducted into the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.
Congenital heart patient receives continued care from heart nurse through the years
September 29, 2020
Born with only three functioning heart chambers instead of four, Amanda had health challenges from her very first day of life. But pediatric heart nurse Barb Goebel has helped shepherd her care into adulthood.
When to worry about AFib
September 15, 2020
Heart specialist Uma Srivatsa answers questions about a common type of arrhythmia known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
New cardiology study tests a device designed to repair leaky tricuspid valves
September 8, 2020
UC Davis Health cardiologists are testing the safety and effectiveness of TriClip, a minimally invasive option for treating tricuspid regurgitation.
August 2020
UC Davis researchers find a way to help stem cells work for the heart
August 13, 2020
Blocking an enzyme — soluble epoxide hydrolase, or sEH — linked with inflammation makes it possible for stem cells to repair damaged heart tissue.
UC Davis Medical Center recognized for quality stroke care
August 7, 2020
The UC Davis Comprehensive Stroke Center has received the 2020 Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold-Plus Quality Achievement Award for consistently adhering to measures backed by the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association.
July 2020
UC Davis Health helps two Fontan patients fulfill their dreams of motherhood
July 31, 2020
Before the Fontan procedure, most children born with single ventricles would die before their second birthday. These days, the survival rate of these patients has extended through young adulthood and now patients with prior Fontan procedures are interested in trying to have children. UC Davis Health helped two of these patients this year.
African Americans with early-life cardiovascular disease risks have worse late-life cognitive function
July 30, 2020
Research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference shows that African Americans with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks prior to or during mid-life tend to have worse cognition when they age than those with no CVD risks.
U.S. News names UC Davis Medical Center among the nation’s best
July 28, 2020
U.S. News & World Report's rankings are out. UC Davis Medical Center is again the #1 hospital in Sacramento, and in the Top 10 in California -- distinctions it has earned for many years in a row.
Cardiac rehabilitation program achieves recertification
July 27, 2020
UC Davis Health’s Cardiac-Vascular Rehabilitation Program has been recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. This renewed certification recognizes UC Davis’ continuing commitment to improving the health and quality of life of patients with heart and blood vessel disease through a supervised, evidence-based exercise and education program.
Teen’s heart is still going strong thanks to UC Davis Children’s Hospital
July 16, 2020
UC Davis pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons gave Damian Del Rio a chance at a future.
UC Davis Children's Hospital gives local girl every opportunity to just be a kid
July 14, 2020
Isabella Lazzerini's two rare diagnoses warrant ongoing, specialized care but that doesn't stop her from enjoying life.
Advanced heart pump and line dancing bring fuller life back to heart patient
July 8, 2020
Alice Marez says she was saved by UC Davis surgeons, an LVAD pump and line dancing. If she had to choose only one, 79-year-old Marez might just pick the line dancing.
Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis announces local 2020 champion
July 8, 2020
Isabella Lazzerini has been a patient at UC Davis Children's Hospital since she was three days old.
UC Davis Health saves 2-year-old with dangerously high blood pressure
July 7, 2020
When Owen had an MRI appointment at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, his parents got the shocking news that Owen needed to be immediately transported to UC Davis Children’s Hospital via ambulance for monitoring and blood pressure control.
June 2020
UC Davis Vascular Center lab earns reaccreditation
June 24, 2020
The UC Davis Vascular Center’s lab has been reaccredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for vascular testing in extracranial cerebrovascular testing, peripheral venous testing, peripheral arterial testing and visceral vascular testing.
UC Davis Medical Center surgery patient said he was treated like royalty
June 15, 2020
Alexander Estrada was referred to UC Davis Medical Center for surgery by a specialist through a partnership with Dignity Health and was thrilled with his outcome and his care.
UC Davis Vascular Center named a TCAR Center of Excellence
June 12, 2020
The UC Davis Vascular Center has been named a TCAR Center of Excellence for the high quality of its care team and patient outcomes for transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR).
A teacher’s learning experience with stroke
June 11, 2020
Peter Dwyer’s birthday this year may not have happened at all. Last September, the retired high school teacher was raking leaves when his left side suddenly buckled. He had experienced an acute ischemic stroke.
New grant brings advanced vascular care to small communities
June 1, 2020
The UC Davis Vascular Center has launched a telehealth initiative to improve assessments and care for patients who live in small communities and have lower-extremity ulcers due to peripheral artery disease or diabetes.
May 2020
UC Davis Vascular Center recognized for participation in North American quality initiative
May 22, 2020
The Society for Vascular Surgery has awarded three stars — the highest number possible — to the UC Davis Vascular Center for active participation in its Vascular Quality Initiative.
Know and respond quickly to signs of stroke
May 22, 2020
A UC Davis Health specialist recommends learning more about common stroke symptoms and your own risks for the condition.
UC Davis physician brings heart care to Sacramento County clinic
May 15, 2020
Edris Aman is a cardiologist and expert in cardiac imaging. He also is part of a growing team of specialists who sees patients at the County of Sacramento Primary Care Center, which serves Medi-Cal and uninsured patients.
UC Davis Medical Center achieves top stroke certification
May 1, 2020
UC Davis Medical Center has been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest recognition possible from The Joint Commission.
April 2020
Arteries respond in opposite ways for males and females
April 23, 2020
A protein known to expand blood vessels — key to controlling conditions like high blood pressure — actually has different functions in males and females.
UC Davis Children's Hospital patient families make chalk art memories
April 13, 2020
For parents of sick or injured children, the current sidewalk chalk trend is more than just something to do while staying at home.
March 2020
In times of crisis, remember to meditate
March 18, 2020
UC Davis cardiologist Uma Srivatsa recommends doing "five steps for five minutes" in times of high stress.
UC Davis Children's Hospital pediatric cardiology patient is living his best life
March 18, 2020
Local teenager continues to thrive after multiple heart surgeries at UC Davis Children's Hospital.
When cardiac arrest hits 6-year-old, UC Davis Pediatric Heart Center offers lifesaving care
March 12, 2020
The UC Davis Pediatric Heart Center team detected patient Greyson Anable's very rare heart condition through exploratory heart surgery and were able to save the child’s life.
Make your next medical appointment a video visit
March 11, 2020
For many types of routine and specialty care appointments, a video visit through UC Davis Health is the ideal alternative to a traditional in-person appointment.
Meet Bob Kiaii
March 11, 2020
Learn more about our new chief of cardiothoracic surgery, along with his goals for his team and their patients with complex diseases of the heart, lungs and esophagus.
February 2020
Heart-healthy meals can include dessert
February 28, 2020
Many people think living heart healthy means living without dessert. Not true!
Team sets a path to getting more patients into cardiac rehabilitation
February 21, 2020
A team from the UC Davis Division of Cardiovascular Medicine hoping to increase participation in cardiac rehabilitation has won a poster competition at a regional American College of Physicians scientific meeting. The team will next present their work at the upcoming national ACP meeting.
The truth about women and heart disease
February 11, 2020
Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, yet most women think breast cancer is their biggest health threat.
Get pumped for Healthy Heart Fair on Saturday (2/8), part of Heart Failure Awareness Week
February 6, 2020
By 2030, about 8 million adult patients will live with heart failure in the U.S. But many of those cases are highly preventable. Learn how to manage your risk factors at an interactive and educational resource fair on our Sacramento campus.
Leading the charge for women's heart health
February 5, 2020
Amparo Villablanca, director of the UC Davis Women's Cardiovascular Medicine Program, and her colleagues in heart and vascular medicine invite you to join them in wearing red Feb. 7 and raising awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.