Continuing the Conversation: Answers to Your October Town Hall Questions

Thank you to everyone who participated in our October Town Hall and shared thoughtful questions through the chat. While we addressed many topics live, we were not able to get to all of them during the session. Below is a summary of additional questions submitted by employees, along with responses from UC Davis Health leaders. We appreciate your engagement and continued interest in the important initiatives shaping our organization’s future.

California Tower

1.    Is California Tower really the 3rd most expensive hospital built in the country?
The California Tower is one of the largest and most complex hospital construction projects in the country; therefore, its cost is among the highest, reflecting the scale, advanced technology, and specialized services included in the design. Importantly, the project is really not optional; it is a necessary replacement tower to ensure UC Davis Health complies with California’s seismic safety requirements by 2030. 

Several recent hospital builds, particularly those in the private sector, have higher costs per square foot. The team has thoroughly studied this, reviewing recent hospital construction projects in California, as adjusted for today’s dollars. While total project costs are high due to the tower’s scale, specialized services, and seismic requirements, the price per square foot remains in line with or below comparable projects.

2.    What is our total number of "beds" when the CA Tower is built?
When the California Tower is completed, UC Davis Medical Center will have a total of approximately 702 beds, a modest increase from our current 653 licensed beds. The California Tower will add 332 inpatient beds, including ICU, medical/surgical, and acuity-adaptable rooms, but other existing beds will have to come off-line for seismic compliance or renovations.

Additionally, by addressing seismic issues and deferred maintenance in the University Tower, Davis Tower, and the East Wing, we are also aiming to recover some additional beds and increase the total number of beds to approximately 832 thereafter. 

However, it is essential to note that due to other construction projects, repairs, and various factors, the total number of beds represents a relatively small net increase. Leaders continue to explore additional options to further expand bed capacity and better meet patient needs.

Parking and Transportation 
 
3.    The California Tower and 48X are exciting Sacramento campus expansions, but a huge frustration with staff is still parking.  What plans do you have to expand on-campus parking to match the expected staffing growth?
We recognize that parking is a top concern for staff as our campus grows with the California Tower and 48X expansions. To help meet demand, we recently opened Parking Structure #7, adding over 1,250 new spaces for staff and visitors. At this point, we now have more parking spaces than are needed daily, as Parking Structure 7 has over 300 open spaces available daily. Parking Structure 6, located near Aggie Square, offers a large number of open spaces each day.  The challenge we now face is that parking spaces may not be located exactly where people want to park, and this is a problem that cannot be easily solved.  Since there is now an excess of parking, no additional parking is planned.  We offer an excellent shuttle service to navigate the Sacramento Campus of UC Davis, which many people, including leaders, utilize to get around the Campus.  There are also several ways employees can commute for free and avoid paying for parking.  (Parking costs, by the way, pay for the costs of the parking structures.)  Leaders are continuing to explore additional free solutions, including our Green Commuter Program, which reimburses individuals for their transit use, as well as options for bicycle, carpool, and shuttle services, to make commuting and access more convenient.

4.    Put a Parking Structure on the Open Parcel between the Education Building and the Parking Structure of Shriners, along 45th and X Streets. It's the last undeveloped parcel on campus and closest to the Main Hospital.
To help address parking demand, we recently opened a new Parking Structure, PS7, that added more than 1,250 spaces – many of which are open and available every day.  The Shriners currently have a signed lease for the land including their hospital, its parking garage, and the grassy area between their garage and the School of Medicine.  They have indicated they do not plan to expand parking on their property.  No additional parking structures are planned on the Sacramento Campus at this time, as there are open spaces now available in Parking Structures 6 and 7 every day.  Leaders will continue to evaluate additional solutions, including more shuttles and other transportation options, to make access as convenient as possible. 

5.    Are there any opportunities to place more bicycle/scooter parking near the North Addition?
We recognize that bicycle and scooter parking near North Addition can be in high demand and leaders are actively evaluating opportunities to expand parking in that area.

The parking and transportation team periodically reviews parking utilization across campus. The team works with Facilities and project teams to identify suitable locations for additional racks or shelters that maintain accessibility and pedestrian safety. Although not immediate, once the California Tower is completed, a new bike shelter will be installed along V Street, near 45th Street.   

If you have specific suggestions or notice areas where additional parking would be helpful, please feel free to contact the Parking and Transportation Service Green Commuter Program at GreenCommuter@health.ucdavis.edu.  Your feedback helps prioritize improvements and maintain safe, reliable, and accessible transportation options across campus.

For more information on all of our Green Commuter Programs, please visit our webpage at Green Commuter | Parking and Transportation Services | UC Davis Health

6.    Is there a forum for submitting concerns during transportation shuttle rides? Most of the time, the experience is excellent; however, there have been a handful of instances when the ride has not felt safe.
Your safety is our top priority. If you ever feel unsafe while on campus, please call the UC Davis Police Department at 916-734-2555.

Transportation Services also welcomes and encourages passenger feedback to help us maintain a safe and reliable shuttle system. If you have concerns about a specific ride or driver, please don’t hesitate to contact Keith Leech, Associate Director of Transportation, so that we can review and address the situation promptly. Keith can be reached at kleechjr@health.ucdavis.edu or 916-712-3451. 

We also appreciate hearing about the positive and professional service our outstanding team of drivers provides. Recognizing their excellent work helps us celebrate and reinforce the high level of service we strive to deliver every day.

You’re always welcome to share general feedback or suggestions through the Transportation Services website feedback form or by contacting our main office at hs-transportation@ucdavis.edu. Your input helps us continuously improve the shuttle program and ensure a safe, comfortable experience for all riders.

7.    Have we thought about adding additional causeway connection stops rather than adding more parking?
The Causeway Connection connects the Davis Campus to the Sacramento Campus. It is run through a partnership between the Davis and Sacramento Campuses and two transit agencies, Sacramento RT and Yolobus. When it was initially planned, it included additional routes and additional stops. Timing had us launching the new service in May of 2020, right at the start of the pandemic. Instead of the original planned service, we pivoted to providing the connection, albeit at a reduced volume of service. Each year, we assess current ridership levels with an eye to potential expansion. We are hopeful that conditions will favor expansion of the service and stops in the future. 

In the meantime, after looking at ridership data, we established another partnership with Sacramento RT, which connects Elk Grove to the Sacramento Campus during peak commute hours. Elk Grove is home to the largest percentage of our employees and this provided another direct transit connection for our employees and our students. 

In the future, we anticipate continuing conversations with transit agencies to provide additional connections to our surrounding communities. 

8.    Are there plans to allow staff to park on some of the upper levels of PS5 and share that space with construction?
No.  Due to requirements and union contracts associated with the construction of the California Tower, the entirety of Parking Structure 5 must be reserved for construction workers.  There are spaces available for parking in Parking Structure 6 (on daily permit basis) and Parking Structure 7.

Finances 

9.    Do you have 400 million dollars in interest on the endowment?
Earnings from UC Davis funds are reinvested in UC Davis Health to cover costs and improvements for the health system, including new technology, facility maintenance, and pension obligations, among other expenses. These earnings on UC Davis Health funds, including endowments, are treated as income and allocated in the same manner as other income sources to support the costs of operating UC Davis Health. This income increases what is available to be spent on other priorities and helps fund improvements that benefit both staff and patients.

It’s also important to note that most donated funds, those given by individuals, foundations, and community partners, are directed toward advancing discovery, research, teaching, and underfunded areas of clinical care, ensuring continued innovation and excellence across our missions.

Additionally, these funds provide critical flexibility during times of financial uncertainty, such as potential reductions in federal funding reported in national news. The overall goal is to allocate resources from all sources thoughtfully and responsibly to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of UC Davis Health, supporting our employees, patients, and the communities we serve.

Expansion and Construction 
 
10.    I recently visited the beautiful new Folsom location and wanted to share some feedback about the patient check-in process. I found it very confusing to navigate, as there wasn’t clear signage directing patients to the Check-In Desk. 
When I entered through the main doors, the large touch screens directed me to the second floor. Once there, I couldn’t easily find the Specialty Check-In Desk. The large desk in front of the elevators looked like it was specifically for Ophthalmology, so I didn’t realize it was the main check-in area for all specialties. I tried walking to “2A,” but that door was locked, and untitled, which added to my stress.  Are there plans to improve wayfinding signage to make it clearer for patients at Folsom? More directional signs or clearer instructions would really help create a smoother and less stressful experience.
We appreciate your detailed feedback about the Folsom check-in process. We will share this with the Folsom clinic manager and Ambulatory Operations to address the issue.  Making it easier for patients to navigate all of our locations is a priority, and we are actively working to review signage, instructions, and wayfinding throughout the facility. We appreciate it when issues are brought to our attention so we can address them. Improvements are planned to ensure the check-in experience is smooth, precise, and stress-free for all patients.

11.    Is UC Davis still planning on building another large expansion in Elk Grove?
Yes, but we are not sure when.  UC Davis Health continues to evaluate opportunities for growth in the Elk Grove region. However, current building funds are committed to the California Tower, and our existing Elk Grove locations are meeting the area’s needs. While no new detailed expansion plans are currently in the works, we remain committed to expanding in Elk Grove to meet the health care needs of surrounding communities in the future. To learn more about UC Davis Health projects, you can visit: https://health.ucdavis.edu/facilities/projects/

12.    Are there any plans for clinics in Solano County? We need primary care in Solano County. Davis clinic is not accepting new patients, is there any thoughts of growing either the Davis primary care or adding relationships in the Solano county area?
Not at the current time. With a high number of projects already in development to address needs, it is unlikely that UC Davis Health clinics will be established in Solano County in the near future.  However, UC Davis Health remains open to the potential of partnerships with other care providers across Northern California, and some partnership arrangements may be worked out with existing care providers in the area in the future.

Ambulatory Care is also exploring initiatives to add more access for our staff and their families.  Opportunities include extended hours, convenient care location/s, additional providers, and optimizing templates and space.  

13.    A couple of things.  The ER at UC Davis Health looks very old and antiquated.  Will there be a revamp of the ER and is there any plan for Emergency Services in the community, such as Folsom, Rocklin, or Elk Grove?
Brand new Emergency Department facilities will be located in the California Tower, so new facilities are already under construction. Services to be made available in the future in Folsom, Rocklin, and Elk Grove are under consideration; however, 24-hour Emergency services, especially at the high-level UC Davis is known for, are prohibitively expensive for areas that may already have a sufficient level of emergency services elsewhere in the community.

14.    Is ACC refurbishment going to happen before Rocklin expansion?
This will be determined based on need and the funding that can be made available for each purpose. At this time, we don’t know which of these will happen first.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

15.    How does the cost of AI impact FY27 budget planning?
The adoption of AI technology is being factored into FY27 budget planning as part of efforts to enhance patient care and support research. 
For example, AI Scribe is expected to improve physician efficiency by reducing time spent writing notes, while also supporting higher levels of service and accurate documentation of patient conditions. These efficiencies may allow physicians to see additional patients, further optimizing care delivery and resource utilization. So, while this technology costs money, there are substantial benefits to efficiency, patient and provider satisfaction, and possibly even quality.

Costs for technology, implementation, and staff training are carefully reviewed to ensure responsible investment. Leadership is monitoring both short- and long-term impacts as part of overall strategic planning. 

16.    What guidelines exist around use of AI for SOM and SON students?
These are determined by each of the schools, in alignment with the Davis Campus. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to this question, as AI is constantly evolving, and its role as a teaching tool and support for learners continues to change.  

Operations

17.    Can you speak to UC Davis Health receiving a D safety rating in July? https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article310660910.html
UC Davis Health did not provide this third-party organization with data for this evaluation, resulting in a score based on only partially available public data.  This rating does not accurately reflect our actual quality scores, and our priority remains providing exceptional patient care.  Going forward, UC Davis Health will provide data to this organization to ensure future evaluations more accurately reflect our performance and ongoing commitment to quality and safety, but it will take some time for participation in this particular program to be fully implemented.

UC Davis Health continues to be recognized with national awards and honors for quality and safety by those organizations with access to our complete data, including being recently ranked, again, as the #1 hospital in the Sacramento Region – an honor UC Davis has held for the last 14 years. To learn more about the awards and recognition the health system has received, please visit https://health.ucdavis.edu/awards/aboutus/.  

18.    Do you think standardizing / process orientation should be across UC Davis Health?  Or just in patient care?
Process standardization is being considered not only in patient care but across many operational areas to improve efficiency, consistency, and quality outcomes. Standard practices help reduce variation (saving resources and becoming more reliable), streamline workflows, and provide a better experience for staff and patients. Leaders continue to evaluate where standardization can provide the most significant benefit.

19.    Will UC Davis continue to be aggressive with its goals or will there be a time to consider normalcy for the organization?
UC Davis Health has already committed to several major projects outlined in our Vision 2030 plan, including the California Tower and other key facility expansions, which will enable us to continue meeting the needs of our growing community. These projects are essential investments in the future of health care, safety, and innovation. While construction activity is significant, we continually evaluate our services, operations, and facilities to ensure that we provide our patients with the highest quality care in the most effective manner possible.

20.    Do you think we can rent some of 48x to tech investors like with Aggie Square, that way we don’t have to hire more people?
We want to hire more people.  The best people to care for UC Davis Health patients are the faculty, staff, and residents of UC Davis.  We can see, from the initial volumes at Folsom and at 48X, that there is still unmet patient demand for our high-quality health care services.  The best way to deliver more of this is to maximize our facilities and to hire more top-quality people to meet these patient needs.  Patient demand remains strong, and the services provided at 48X are critical for reducing capacity challenges at the medical center, which consistently operates near full capacity. The entire 48X facility is planned to be fully occupied by the following departments: surgery, transplant, orthopedics, and neurosurgery clinics on the third floor, opening in mid-January 2026, and by vascular, urology, surgery, and wound management clinics on the fourth floor, opening in mid-February 2026. This space is essential for meeting our patients’ needs, increasing patient access, supporting smooth patient flow, and ensuring timely, high-quality care. At this time, there are no plans to rent out space at 48X, and in the meantime, space remains available at Aggie Square for partners who are interested.

21.    What is the plan for continuation of telehealth given the lack of extension by congress (either temporary or permanent).  Is there enough available space to accommodate bringing these back in person?
Telehealth remains a vital component of care, providing convenience and access for many patients. Decisions regarding its continuation are influenced by federal guidance, space availability, and the need to ensure safe and high-quality care. While virtual visits are valuable, some roles and services must remain onsite to provide hands-on care, maintain patient safety, and deliver the best possible patient outcomes. We plan to continue to provide telehealth services for as long as possible during this time of government funding uncertainty, and then make decisions as conditions change.  In the long term, we are firmly committed to telehealth and believe its convenience will continue to drive expansions in this service for patients. As of today, all our sister UC health systems have adopted the same approach, as have roughly 70% of health care organizations providing telehealth nationwide.

22.    Thoughts on leasing one of the retail spaces in AggieSquare to a large-scale gym, such as 24Hour Fitness, to provide the UCDH campus with a state-of-the-art facility that the campus would not need to maintain? It could meet the need of the campus community of an updated facility on site without putting the burden of cost and maintenance on the university.
If such an opportunity presented itself, and a company was interested in partnering with Aggie Square for something like this, the Aggie Square management team would evaluate the opportunity like others it receives for the available space.

23.    Dr. Ton mentioned the pillars of the current UCDH Strategic Plan, which I believe will be updated soon. Do you know when it will be ready to share? Will there be a focus on affordability or reducing the cost of healthcare? Thank you.
The health system’s strategic pillars have not changed, though some new project efforts inside of the pillars are in process. The School of Medicine is working on refreshing strategic efforts as well.

Once the new Vice Chancellor begins, permanent Dean and CEO are appointed, the leadership team will work together to develop a new strategic plan that reflects our shared priorities and vision for the future of UC Davis Health.

24.    Why did the new UC President think it was a good idea to share information with the White House on student protesters?
At UC Davis Health, we are not able to provide answers about the UC President or actions taken by the Office of the President.

Human Resources 

25.    Will there be additional education for new managers of union staff who are salaried? 
Yes. In addition to existing manager trainings and resources available through Human Resources, Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) hosts regular office hours every Wednesday where managers can ask questions, receive guidance on contract interpretation, and get support for real-time scenarios involving represented employees. These sessions are an excellent resource for new managers to build confidence in navigating labor-related topics. Additionally, several spots are still open for the final Navigating Tough Talks course on Oct. 20, which focuses on building skills for challenging conversations with staff. 

26.    What are the plans for children’s care?
UC Davis offers a range of family care resources through the WorkLife Program to support employees in caring for children and other loved ones. Resources include parental leave and pregnancy support, childcare options for infants and children, school-age and teen resources, and the Bright Horizons family support services, which include backup care, tutoring, and referrals. Providing childcare is a highly specialized and high-cost service, with many detailed and technical requirements that require expertise beyond what UC Davis Health can provide.  Additionally, choices regarding types of childcare are frequently personal for parents.  As a result, UC Davis Health plans to continue allowing parents to make the best decisions for themselves and their families regarding how they plan to care for their children.  

27.    About 20 years ago, a golden handshake was offered. Will this option be made available again? Wouldn’t reintroducing a golden handshake program provide UC Davis Health with significant cost savings?
At this time, UC Davis Health needs more health care providers and staff, not fewer, so there are no plans to offer a golden handshake or similar early retirement incentives. Instead, UC Davis Health leaders are focused on retention and recruitment to meet the increasing need for patient care services.  

School of Medicine 

28.    Can unused PTO days be used for the Crowd Funding campaign Dean Murin is describing?  If it is not available currently, can it be available option in the future?
Currently, unused PTO cannot be applied to the Save Science crowdfunding campaign. We understand this could be a meaningful option for many employees and are exploring ways to provide more flexible opportunities in the future. Updates on potential options will be shared as plans develop.

29.    Where can we find info about the Save Science crowdfunding campaign?
You can visit the From Labs to Lives Toolkit site to learn more: https://marketingtoolbox.ucdavis.edu/from-labs-to-lives-toolkit

Another source to learn more, please visit: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/uc-launches-speak-science-campaign-critical-research-faces-unprecedented-federal-threats