som
News
Media contact
Brittany Fair, M.S.
Director of Communications
(858) 287-0694
bfair@health.ucsd.edu
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2024
Study: Breast Cancer Drug Shows Potential for Rare Appendix Cancer
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found an FDA-approved drug used to treat breast cancer has the potential to be an effective therapeutic for a specific type of appendix cancer.
The clinical trial results, published in the October 16, 2024 online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed the oral medication, known as palbociclib, stabilized tumor growth and reduced blood tumor marker levels in patients with peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMC). This form of cancer originates in the appendix and is often resistant to standard chemotherapy.
Compassionatomy: Redefining Anatomy Through Empathy and Compassion
The first patient that a medical student interacts with leaves an impression. For University of California San Diego School of Medicine students, their first patient is particularly compelling because the students’ must listen for the voice of the patient who has no voice.
Now in its third year, Compassionatomy, is a new approach to anatomy training that combines scientific learning from a body donor, including surgical, patient-centered approaches, with the learning, cultivation and the practice of compassion for self and others.
Rady Children’s Named Among Nation’s Ten Best Children’s Hospitals in U.S. News & World Report’s Annual Survey
For the second year in a row, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego has been named by U.S. News & World Report to its Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll, a distinction awarded to only 10 children’s hospitals nationwide. Rady Children’s has also been named by U.S. News as tied for the No. 1 pediatric hospital in California and the Pacific Region.
UC San Diego Health Maintains Top Quality Care Status by Vizient
UC San Diego Health has been honored as a top performer for Vizient’s 2024 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Performance Award, marking the sixth consecutive year the health system has achieved this prominent distinction. This award places UC San Diego Health among the top academic medical centers in the nation,
highlighting its exceptional commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
UC San Diego Health Achieves Milestones for Lifesaving Heart and Lung Treatments
In July 2024, Washburn was the 5,000th patient to undergo a PTE surgery at UC San Diego Health. The region’s only academic medical center pioneered the surgery and has performed the most in the world.
During the innovative procedure, surgeons remove blood clots and scarring from major blood vessels in the arteries of the lungs to restore blood flow.
Breaking Barriers, Shattering Glass: Women in Medicine Month
September is designated by the American Medical Association as Women in Medicine Month to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women physicians. The designation serves to recognize the growing number of women in medicine, to highlight their contributions, advocacy and mentorship.
Women in medicine have played critical roles in transforming the field, making groundbreaking discoveries in treatments and advancing our knowledge of diseases, improved patient outcomes and providing a high quality of health care.
Clinical Trial Evaluates Spatial Computing App on Apple Vision Pro in Operating Room
Minimally invasive surgeons at UC San Diego Health are the first in the nation to evaluate the potential use of spatial computing apps on Apple Vision Pro in the operating room. This feasibility study was initiated after two months of testing in the Center for the Future of Surgery at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.
“As surgeons, we are always looking for technologies that can help us deliver more safe and precise surgeries for our patients,” said Santiago Horgan, M.D., chief of minimally invasive surgery at UC San Diego Health and director of the Center for the Future of Surgery. “The experience of the surgeon in the operating room, while interacting with imaging, is critical to patient outcomes.”
At the Ready: A Day in the Life of a Trauma Surgeon
The UC San Diego Health Trauma Center is where the most critically injured patients receive specialized care for life-threatening injuries. Trauma surgeons are at the ready to treat injuries that include falls, motor vehicle accidents, assaults, gunshot and stab wounds and burns that require immediate medical interventions and care. In the Trauma Center, every second counts.
August marks the 40th anniversary of the opening of the San Diego Trauma Center. In this Q&A, Laura Haines, MD, associate professor of surgery, reflects on the system, her career, the patients she serves and provides a first-hand glimpse of what a typical day looks like in the Trauma Center at UC San Diego Health.
UC San Diego Health No.1 in San Diego, Top 20 in the Nation
UC San Diego Health has once again secured the No. 1 ranking in San Diego, according to the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” survey, and has also received “Honor Roll” designation, a distinction awarded to only 20 hospitals in the nation for exceptional patient care.
The 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report survey evaluated more than 4,500 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions, with only 3% earning top-50 rankings. Among these, UC San Diego Health achieved national recognition in 11 specialties.
World-Renowned Surgeon Named New Director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health
Following an extensive national search, Diane M. Simeone, MD, has been appointed director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, effective April 1, 2024.
Simeone brings robust institutional, national and international leadership experience to both oncologic patient care and scientific research, with a focus on establishing novel models of interdisciplinary collaboration. She is an internationally recognized surgeon-expert in the biology and multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic neoplasms, with an active clinical practice in pancreatic surgery.
2023
UC San Diego Health and Navy Perform Reconstructive Jaw Surgery using 3D Printed Teeth
With part of his leg bone serving as his new jaw, UC San Diego student walks across commencement stage two weeks after surgery and accomplishes his professional dream
2023 Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM)
The SVS Vascular Annual meeting is an extremely competitive and premier educational meeting designated for the vascular surgery specialty. The meeting took place over four days in National Harbor, Maryland, where UCSD had a profound presence led by Dr. Mahmoud B. Malas. 20 total abstracts were accepted, and UCSD leads to be the number one institution in the world for total number of accepted scientific abstracts at the society meeting for three consecutive years.
UC San Diego Surgery Turns Out in Full Force for Academic Surgical Congress 2023
The UC San Diego Department of Surgery was well-represented at the 18th annual Academic Surgical Congress, a joint meeting of the two leading associations for academic surgery – The Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) and The Society of University Surgeons (SUS) . As President of SUS, Rebekah White, MD, FACS, of the UC San Diego Division of Surgical Oncology presided over the meeting and delivered the SUS Presidential Address on "Work-Life Integration for Academic Surgeons," a discussion of how the COVID pandemic has blurred the boundaries between work and home.
Center for Health Innovation Expands with $22 Million in Gifts
Support from Joan and Irwin Jacobs to create hospital-based mission control center to help solve real-world patient care needs
With a generous $22 million in gifts from Joan and Irwin Jacobs, UC San Diego Health will bring its Center for Health Innovation into full reality. The gifts will fund a novel patient-care “mission control center” within Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health and the Jacobs Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Digital Health Innovation. These initiatives and other plans will be shared and celebrated on May 4-5 with the Innovation in Digital Health symposium for thought leaders across the nation.
2022
Patient Full of Graditude After Facing Cancer Three Times
Phyllis Schwartz has been through treatment for three different types of cancers. Her most recent diagnosis was pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. She did her research and decided to receive her cancer care with Andrew Lowy, MD, surgical oncologist and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology. Schwartz underwent the Whipple procedure, a complex surgery that takes several hours and involves removal of the pancreas head and then the duodenum, the first portion of the small bowel.
Dr. Joseph Califano III Appointed Director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health
We are pleased to announce that Joseph A. Califano III, MD, has accepted the position of director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, beginning immediately.
Following a comprehensive national search, Dr. Califano succeeds Scott Lippman, MD, who announced in November 2021 that he would be stepping down as director to lead the PreCancer Genome Atlas (PCGA).
UC San Diego Surgeons Visit Imperial High School
School is Dept. Chair Dr. Bryan Clary's alma mater
July 29, 2022 — The Department of Surgery had the privilege recently of spending an entire day with the extraordinary health career students of Imperial High School (IHS). Invited by Ms. Rosa Guerrero, who leads health career instruction at IHS, Drs. Bryan Clary, Luis Cajas-Monson, and Isabella Guajardo were treated to an inspiring day leading simulation exercises in minimally invasive surgery and surgical knot-tying, as well as providing overviews of surgical training and the rewards of a career in surgery.
UCSD Collaborates With Bariatric Surgical Center in Tijuana
July 29, 2022 — The UC San Diego Department of Surgery recently announced a new academic collaboration with a leading bariatric (weight-loss) surgery center based in Tijuana, Mexico. This partnership acknowledges the growing role that medical tourism plays in the border region and the need for enhanced educational training of practitioners in these locations.
Tenth Annual Department of Surgery Research Symposium: Truth, Justice, and the JEDI Way
May 31, 2022 — After three hours of robust and innovative research talks presented as part of the 10th annual Department of Surgery Research Symposium earlier this month, even the event's keynote speaker — Jeffrey B. Matthews, Surgeon-in-Chief of the University of Chicago — was left starry-eyed.
2021
UC San Diego Health Top Ranked in Nation by Vizient
November 23, 2021 — It is with immense pride that we share the news that UC San Diego Health is ranked #1 in California and #3 in the nation as a top performer in the Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership annual rankings of more than 100 comprehensive academic medical centers from Vizient Inc., the country’s largest member-driven health care performance improvement organization. As a special point of UC pride, UCLA Health Ronald Reagan and UC Irvine Health also rank in the top 10 nationally at #8 and #9 respectively.
Regents Approve Phase 1 of Hillcrest Medical Center Redevelopment
November 23, 2021 — The University of California Board of Regents has approved construction plans for Phase 1 of a multi-phase project to reimagine our Hillcrest Medical Center. Phase 1 includes the construction of a new parking structure and 250,000-square-foot outpatient pavilion with specialty clinical programs, such as oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery and orthopedics, as well as ambulatory surgery operating rooms, gastroenterology procedure rooms, advanced imaging, infusion and radiation oncology.
Organ Transplant Recipients Significantly Protected by COVID-19 Vaccination
August 5, 2021 — In a Brief Communication, published July 29, 2021 in the journal Transplant Infectious Disease, a team of physician-scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that solid organ transplant recipients who were vaccinated experienced an almost 80 percent reduction in the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated counterparts during the same time.
Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center Marks Tenth Anniversary
September30, 2021 — On July 31, 2011, UC San Diego opened the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center (SCVC), the first healthcare facility in the region to offer a full continuum of cardiovascular services all under one roof. As we mark the 10th anniversary, the SCVC is the heart of our Cardiovascular Institute and continues to be in the vanguard of cardiovascular care. We are incredibly proud of all that the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center team has achieved.
Second Breath: Region's First Double Lung Transplant for COVID-19 Patient
August 24, 2021 — After more than 50 days on advanced life support, multi-disciplinary team at UC San Diego Health helps patient become candidate for successful lung transplant
UC San Diego Health Regional Burn Center Received Re-verification from the American Burn Association (ABA)
September 30, 2021 — Verification by the American Burn Association represents the highest mark of distinction for burn centers across the country, and the verification recognizes UC San Diego Health's Regional Burn Center for providing the highest standard of care for burn-injured patients.
Two New Papers Published in New England Journal of Medicine
September 30, 2021 — Congratulations toDr. Todd Costantiniand his collaborators in the Departments of Surgery, Medicine (Pulmonary-Critical Care), and Preventive Medicine on publishing two papers last week in the New England Journal of Medicine. In these original research papers, Dr. Costantini and colleagues from around the world quickly mobilized and enrolled patients in this randomized trial to assess therapeutic anticoagulation with heparin in critically ill and non-critically ill patients with COVID-19. Interestingly, the results were different based on the severity of COVID illness. In patients with moderate disease (i.e., not admitted to the ICU and without organ failure), initial treatment with therapeutic dose Lovenox decreased mortality and decreased cardiorespiratory failure as compared to prophylactic dose Lovenox. Conversely, in critically ill patients in the ICU, there was no benefit of therapeutic dose Lovenox versus prophylactic dose Lovenox.
Rethinking Induction Chemotherapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer
September 30, 2021 — Dr. Theresa Guois the lead author of a study In the journalCancer,entitled “Outcomes of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation compared with those treated with concurrent chemoradiation.”Use of induction chemotherapy has remained controversial in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.In this retrospective analysis of 585 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma showed that, in contrast to prior studies, treatment with induction chemotherapy was independently associated with worse overall survival and higher risk of distant metastasis even in multivariate and matched cohort analyses.This study may support moving away from traditional induction strategies for patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma as new clinical trials begin to incorporate novel therapeutics, such as including checkpoint inhibitors in the neoadjuvant setting.
Improved Equity in Cancer Outcomes within the Veterans Administration
September 30, 2021 — Oftentimes studies emphasize differences and outcome disparities, but can we find circumstances where previously-observed disparities are absent? A diverse, multi-specialized research group led byDr. Ryan Oroscoset out to explore this question as it pertains to patients with larynx cancer in the journal Cancer. The group dug into a novel database from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) that has not been looked at previously. For decades, a great deal of work has exposed healthcare disparities across numerous realms, and larynx cancer is no exception. This group looked to see if similar disparities exist within the VHA. Most large database research looking at patients with laryngeal cancer comes from hospitals that her outside of the Veterans health administration. Their study found that black patient's in the VHA presented with the same severity of larynx cancers as white patients. Furthermore, these black patients had similar survival and cancer outcomes, which is counter to the expectation based on previous studies from non-VHA data.
Two Studies Seek to Go Beyond the GIST of Intestinal Tract Cancer
August 24, 2021 — Gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST) are cancers that start in specialized nerve cells found in the digestive system, from the esophagus and stomach to the intestines and rectum.
Researchers Develop First Steerable Catheter for Brain Surgery
August 20, 2021 — A team of engineers and physicians has developed a steerable catheter that for the first time will give neurosurgeons the ability to steer the device in any direction they want while navigating the brain’s arteries and blood vessels. The device was inspired by nature, specifically insect legs and flagella—tail-like structures that allow microscopic organisms such as bacteria to swim.
GIST Location Predicts Tumor Mutation Profile and Drug Sensitivity
July 14, 2021 — The mutational landscape of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is associated with the tumor location, according to new evidence. It may then, in turn, provide direction for treatment decisions and selective confirmatory genomic testing when resources are limited.
Regional Burn Center Receives ABA Reverification
July 15, 2021 — The UC San Diego Regional Burn Center has completed a successful American Burn Association (ABA) reverification visit as San Diego County and Imperial County’s only adult and pediatric burn center. The ABA team recommended reverification without any deficiencies, pending approval of the ABA Verification Committee.This recommendation exemplifies the burn program’s ability to meet the highest standards of care for burn-injured patients. Reverification from the ABA distinguishes the center to patients, families, third-party payers, government, and accreditation organizations, and demonstrates that the UC San Diego Regional Burn Center provides the highest quality of patient care to burn patients from time of injury through rehabilitation.
Department of Surgery Research Symposium: Ground Truth from Bench to Bedside
July 15, 2021 — Many will remember this year’s UC San Diego Department of Surgery Research Symposium for the unique venue in which it was held: Everywhere and nowhere.
Both the symposium’s keynote address and research presentations were not delivered from podiums but instead — per established pandemic protocols — Zoomed from desks, dining room tables and yes, the operating room. If surgeons know one thing well, it’s how to adapt past whatever obstacles COVID might throw in the way.
Colorectal Surgery Receives Accreditation from NAPRC
April 30, 2021 — The colorectal disease team has spent 3 years preparing to achieve Accreditation Status from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC). The accreditation not only requires a multidisciplinary approach to rectal cancer care, but a specific mandate to directly communicate the board’s findings to the patient and the referring physician. This has increased satisfaction from our patients and our referring physicians. The ultimate goal is to be sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to caring for patients with rectal cancer. We get one chance to do this right, we absolutely want to do our best.
“The Hand of God in the Glove”: Teresa McKeown’s Success with the I-Predict Clinical Trial
April 27, 2021 — When Teresa McKeown first met Dr. Jason Sicklick of UC San Diego Health, she had been spending her time writing farewell journals to her children and having intimate conversations with her friends and family, wrapping up all of the loose ends of her life.
Researchers Design a Rapid, at-Home COVID-19 Saliva Test
March 25, 2021 — Since the first reports of a deadly respiratory illness in the winter of 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19, has spread globally and resulted in the most impactful pandemic in more than a century. Diagnostic testing for the virus has played a central role during this pandemic and has significantly evolved since COVID-19 was first detected.
Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Laboratories Receive IACVL Accreditation
February 23, 2021 — The University of California San Diego Medical Center’s Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Laboratories are pleased to announce the accreditation awarded by the national agency Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (IACVL). IACVL accreditation is recognized as the process of establishing and maintaining high quality patient care while ensuring our commitment to the nationally-recognized standards of vascular testing. The scope of the accreditation process is to provide high quality standardization to all areas of our vascular lab, which includes the care and maintenance of our state-of-the-art equipment and devices, diagnostic testing protocols, test reporting procedures, quality-assurance, and the proper training and credentialing for our team of highly-skilled vascular technologists. This vital process ensures our unwavering commitment in providing outstanding patient care and diagnostic accuracy.
NORD Announces This Year’s Heroes of Rare Disease: The 2021 Rare Impact Award Honorees
February 23, 2021 — Today the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD®) announced this year’s Rare Impact Award honorees. These outstanding individuals, organizations and industry innovators will be honored for their exceptional work benefiting the rare disease community in a virtual event streaming on June 28, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. E.T. The Rare Impact Awards program is part of the Living Rare, Living Stronger NORD Patient and Family Forum, an annual conference that brings patients and families, advocates, health care professionals and other supporters together for learning, sharing and connecting.
“While social-distancing remains necessary, it is vital for us to gather virtually to celebrate the contributions and progress that have been made in the fight against rare diseases. Despite the pandemic and the challenges we have faced, there are still heroes to be found among us from whom we can draw inspiration and motivation to keep moving forward,” said NORD President and CEO Peter L. Saltonstall. “At NORD, we are proud to honor these people, groups and companies for their achievements. We’re humbled to work alongside them and appreciative of their tenacity and commitment to a brighter future for our community.”
Chatter Between Cell Populations Drives Progression of Gastrointestinal Tumors
February 18, 2021 — Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a subytpe of cancers known as sarcomas. GIST is the most common type of sarcoma with approximately 5,000–6,000 new patient cases annually in the United States. GIST cannot be cured by drugs alone, and targeted therapies are only modestly effective, with a high rate of drug resistance. In a recent study, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center identified new therapeutic targets that could lead to new treatment options for patients.
The study, published in the February 18, 2021 online edition of Oncogene, found that specific cell-to-cell communication influences GIST biology and is strongly associated with cancer progression and metastasis.
The researchers discovered that certain GIST cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a cell population within GIST tumors, can communicate with GIST cells. This crosstalk between CAFs and GIST cells results in more aggressive tumor biology.