Physicians Week: Highlight #1

In honor Physicians Week (March 25-31), we will highlight some of our outstanding physicians who help make UC Davis Health a world-class health system.

The Western Association of Physicians, the California Thoracic Society and the Western Section of the American Federation for Medical Research will host the conference in Carmel in January. The UC Davis Health honorees are:

Daniah Beleford, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology and UC Davis MIND Institute faculty member receives the WSPR’s 2025 Abbott Nutrition Young Investigator Award. This award is given to a young faculty member performing outstanding research in the area of pediatrics.

Satyan Lakshminrusimha, MD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of UC Davis Children’s Hospital, receives the 2025 WSPR Joseph W. St. Geme Jr. Education Award. This award is presented to recognize outstanding achievement in pediatric education and mentorship and is nominated by one’s peers and former mentees.

Geoanna Bautista, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, receives the 2025 Western Section of the American Federation for Medical Research Young Investigator Award.

David Tom Cooke, MD, has been permanently appointed the physician-in-chief for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cooke is a UC Davis Health professor and founding chief of the Division of General Thoracic Surgery, for which the division’s motto is “equality of great quality.”

Dr. Cooke is committed to bringing groundbreaking therapies to our community, addressing health inequities, and improving the lives of a diverse population of over 6 million people.

“As we look to the future, my vision is to create a seamless, compassionate experience for everyone in our center”, said Cooke. By simplifying our systems, easing the fears that accompany cancer treatment and nurturing trust at every level of care, we’re building a space where our patients, providers and team members feel supported and empowered." 

Ulfat Shaikh, MD, professor of pediatrics and medical director of health care quality at UC Davis School of Medicine, has been elected to the International Academy of Quality and Safety (IAQS).

The International Society for Quality in Health Care established the academy in 2018 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the field of quality and safety in health care. 

Mariano E. Menendez, MD, shoulder and elbow surgery surgeon for Orthopaedics Sports Medicine, has been awarded the 2025 Charles S. Neer Award during the annual meeting of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES).

The award recognizes excellence in orthopaedic research and contributions that enhance our understanding of shoulder injuries and rehabilitation.

Menendez is co-investigator on a trial which investigated two approaches to shoulder rehabilitation in patients undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, comparing home exercise-based and physical therapist-led programs. The team’s study provides critical insights for personalized patient care and optimal recovery.

This is the highest honor for clinical shoulder research given by ASES.

The UC Davis School of Medicine Office of Wellness Education recently announced Department of Family Medicine physician Victor H. Baquero, MD, as the winner of the inaugural Jacquelyn Anderson Wellness Innovation Award at the 2024 UC Davis Health Wellness Academy. The $2,500 award recognizes an individual from the university community for outstanding innovation in wellness research, education or advocacy. 

Physicians' Week Schedule