Keeping Our Hospital and Clinic Patients Safe from COVID
September 2020
Among patients going to hospitals and clinics, there is an undercurrent of worry: “Could I catch COVID by being here, among sick people?” But doctors encourage patients not to postpone needed care, warning that delays can lead to complications. From hospital-wide testing to separate air supplies for COVID patients, this video explains exactly what UC Davis Health is doing to keep patients, visitors, employees and the community safe.
Watch how we keep patients safe
A Model Testing Program Launches in Davis, Sacramento and Beyond
September 2020
Called Healthy Davis Together, the program offers COVID tests, including free, easy-to-use spit tests, to students, employees and community members in Davis and Yolo County, and at UC Davis Health in Sacramento.
Over two years, Healthy Davis Together conducted more than 871,245 COVID-19 tests; detected 15,825 positive cases; administered 16,000 COVID-19 vaccines; collected over 10,000 air filter and wastewater samples; supported more than 50 K–12 schools in Yolo County with testing and education materials; and provided free testing, grants and other resources to keep over 400 Davis businesses open.
Read about Healthy Davis Together
Watch the Healthy Davis Together docuseries
Read the New York Times’ story about Healthy Davis Together
Read about our asymptomatic COVID tests
UC Davis Health Establishes One of Nation’s First Long COVID Clinics
October 2020
The new clinic takes aim at long COVID, an emerging challenge for patients who battle a wide variety of complex, long-lasting symptoms. Pulmonologists and experts in cardiovascular, immunologic and neurologic medicine work together to care for patients and conduct research to learn how to better treat the condition.
Protecting Vulnerable Communities
2020 and beyond
While COVID-19 infected people of all backgrounds, it did not do so in equal numbers — nor with equal consequences. Latina mothers, for example, were more likely to contract the disease, experience complications and suffer significant economic hardship, UC Davis researchers found.
UC Davis researchers identified feelings of anxiety, sadness, and anger among LGBT youth in public social media channels. They also surveyed Filipino households and found that while many had healthcare workers, few had been tested for the coronavirus.
Read how the pandemic increased anxiety in LGBTQ+ youth
Read about California Filipino wellness
Read why Latina mothers took a financial, psychological toll
Read about our Digital Health Equity Project
Patient Vaccinations Begin for Those Who Need It Most
January 2021
UC Davis Health opens a clinic to vaccinate patients most at risk of COVID complications, such as older adults, people with serious medical conditions, dentists and other health care workers.
Making Vaccines Accessible
March 2, 2022
Faculty and students from the UC Davis School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing administer shots in underserved communities, including farmworkers and people experiencing homelessness.
Vaccinating Across the Community
March 2021
UC Davis Health partners with local organizations and other health care systems to host pop-up clinics in parking lots, schools and churches. The goal is to help those with limited health care access get the COVID vaccine.
This past year has been difficult for everyone with the pandemic, so it felt rewarding giving vaccines and advocating for a safer and hopeful 2021.
Sharmeen Saeed, Master’s Entry Program alum
Read how we provided vaccine outreach
A Unique Vaccine Clinic for People Who Are Autistic or Have Other Developmental Disabilities
July 2021
Large, noisy community vaccine clinics are challenging for individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, who often have sensory sensitivities and anxiety. To increase vaccine rates in this community, the UC Davis MIND Institute seeks a federal grant to offer a free, unique, sensory-friendly clinic. Longer appointments, customized care and preparation for families before they arrive is very effective. The clinic has a nearly 100% success rate.
Two Studies Show Healthy Davis Together Prevented Infections, Hospitalizations and Deaths
July 2022
Healthy Davis Together provided access to regular COVID-19 testing, promoted vaccinations and other safety precautions, and supported local businesses. Two studies find that the program reduced test positivity rates, prevented illness and saved lives.
Respiratory Therapist’s COVID Recovery Gives Her Patients Hope
December 2022
UC Davis Health respiratory therapist Chelsie Gilbeau gets infected with COVID, requires hospitalization and struggles with long COVID. After five months of treatment and rehabilitation, she returns to the medical center to care for patients.
A lot of our hospitalized COVID-19 patients still think they are going to die. To be able to share with them what I went through and show them that I was able to recover gives them hope. I am happy to be able to not just care for them physically while they are sick but also be able to inspire them in their recovery.
Chelsie Gilbeau, UC Davis Health respiratory therapist
Read respiratory therapist Gilbeau’s story