IN THE NEWS: Uterine fibroids can impact a woman’s life at any age. These non-cancerous growths of the uterus are not dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable and cause complications in some cases. They often appear during a woman’s childbearing years so it’s important to understand the symptoms and consult with your healthcare provider if you have concerns. UCI Health gynecologist Dr. Naghmeh Salamat-Saberi spoke to Black Doctor about the growths and how they are treated. She stresses the need

64,000 pregnancies resulted from rape in states with abortion bans IN THE NEWS: A research letter recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimates that 64,565 pregnancies have been caused by rape in the 14 states where abortion is banned. Dr. Rachel Perry, a board-certified UCI Health obstetrician and gynecologist, who was not involved in the study, spoke to NPR about the findings. "Certainly, not all of the people who become pregnant due to rape want an abortion. We do know that those

Orange, Calif. — The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has recognized the UCI Health emergency department (ED) and its geriatric emergency team with accreditation as a Gold Level 1 Geriatric ED. As the only ED in Orange County to receive this top-level designation, it reflects the UCI Health commitment to providing a coherent system of care for older adults using over 20 ACEP approved senior patient focused protocols. It has also led to better outcomes for senior patients, includi

Renowned UCI Health urologist Ralph V. Clayman, MD, was awarded the Keyes Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons (AAGUS), for his “outstanding contributions” to the field of urology. Clayman, dean emeritus of the UCI School of Medicine and founding chair of its Department of Urology, has pioneered many minimally invasive surgical techniques that have revolutionized care for diseases of the kidney and urinary tract. In 1990, he performed the worl

UCI develops first technology to aid disaster response for older adults Irvine, Calif. — UC Irvine researchers have developed and successfully tested a new data exchange system to provide first responders with real-time, critical health information about senior care center residents, who are at greatest risk during disasters. Called CareDEX (Enabling Disaster Resilience in Aging Communities via a secure Data Exchange), the system enabled first responders to locate, rescue and treat elderly res

The Liver Health Foundation has honored Dr. David K. Imagawa, a leading expert in minimally invasive liver and pancreatic surgery at UCI Health, with its 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award. Imagawa received the award at the foundation’s “Salute to Excellence Dinner Gala” on Sept. 30 in recognition of his career of “lifesaving research, service to liver patients and leadership in healthcare.” He is a professor and the Suzanne Dykema Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Cancer, chief of the Division of Hepa

UCI Medical Center recently received national recognition for excellence in caring for older hospitalized patients. The medical center's Inpatient Care Unit received the Age-Friendly Health System — Committed to Care Excellence award, the highest designation bestowed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in partnership with the John A. Hartford Foundation, the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States. IHI previously awarded this Level 2

Teens should get the COVID-19 vaccine, a UCI Health pediatric infectious disease expert tells parents With a COVID-19 vaccine now approved for children ages 12 to 15, parents should get their kids vaccinated, said UCI Health pediatric infectious disease expert Coleen Cunningham, MD. “As a pediatrician and a parent, I strongly encourage all parents who have children age 12 and older to get them immunized,” said Cunningham, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the UCI School of Medicine and

OC resident first of seven UCI Health patients to receive heart assist device Elizabeth Vayssie is thriving despite the challenges of becoming Orange County’s first recipient of an implanted heart pump while a pandemic was underway. Today she is celebrating the one-year anniversary of receiving the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) via a Zoom party given by the UCI Health advanced heart failure support group. The Anaheim resident first learned she had heart failure in July 2019 when she ar

UCI Health gerontology specialists, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Orange County (AlzOC), have developed a new website for health practitioners to improve the care they provide to their patients diagnosed with dementia. Healthcare professionals can easily access the mobile friendly website for the latest information to help better understand dementia, including behavior issues, communication, everyday care, respite care and safety. The website is a component of the UCI Geriatric Workforce Enh

A UCI Health study has found that long-term dialysis patients with higher levels of natural endocannabinoids have a lower mortality rate, pointing to a potential path for reversing poor life expectancy rates among people with end-stage kidney disease. UCI Health nephrologist Dr. Hamid Moradi says the findings, published as "Circulating Endocannabinoids and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients" in the American Journal of Nephrology, have spurred him and fellow researchers to explore ways to increa

Dr. Farzan M. Naeim and Dr. Hooshang Meshkinpour have donated $50,000 to create an endowed fund in the Samuel Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture. The gift will advance the mission of the center through supporting lectures, conferences and other programs associated with the Iranian world. “Drs. Naeim and Meshkinpour have been supporters of the Jordan Center for several years now and have attended most of our talks and presentations,” said Touraj Daryaee, director of the Jordan Center a