UCI Health Physicians

This week, Hao-Hua Wu, M.D., founder of the UC Irvine Global Spine Research Initiative (GSRI), and GSRI research fellow Haley Nadone, traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to attend the 10th Annual Association of Spine Surgeons of Nepal (ASSN) Himalayan Spine Conference. The conference brought together leading spine surgeons from around the world to discuss the latest advancements in spine care and research. In addition to attending the main conference, they also participated in a pre-conference event focused on endoscopic spine surgery, which provided a platform for sharing innovative techniques and best practices in minimally invasive spine surgery. During the conference, Nadone presented spinal cord injury research alongside their Nepali spine surgery partners, Dr. Dipak Maharjan and Dr. Subin Byanjankar of Star Hospital Limited in Kathmandu,?highlighting collaborative efforts in advancing spine health both regionally and globally. Their study assessed the outcomes of delayed surgical timing on spinal cord injury in Nepal and highlighted the need for increased access to surgical spine care and the need for enhanced rehabilitation capacity. The GSRI participation underscores UC Irvine's commitment to global collaboration in spine care, fostering educational exchange, and promoting innovative research through international partnerships, while also celebrating the rich cultural exchange that accompanies these global partnerships.

In October, UCI Health demonstrated a commitment to leading-edge care with a series of advancements across multiple specialties. From a breakthrough stem cell trial addressing the issue of fecal incontinence to life-changing procedures in robotic surgery and liver cancer treatment, our physicians are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern medicine. Last month also marked the launch of our new cardiovascular simulation center, an innovative space that will help lead an evolution in cardiology training and patient safety. Read more to explore these milestones as we engage the physician community to help us shape the future of healthcare in Orange County.

November is #LungCancerAwarenessMonth and early detection is key to treating #lungcancer, the leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths. UCI Health offers low-dose CT scans to detect lung cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Discover if our same-day lung cancer screening is right for your patients: https://lnkd.in/gHnVNh5E

Collaboration is at the heart of our cancer treatment programs. Whether coordinating across multiple teams or campuses, our goal is to integrate radiation therapy into each patient's comprehensive care plan seamlessly. In this video, Jeremy Harris, MD shares his approach to working closely with referring physicians—from medical oncologists to surgical oncologists—to ensure every treatment plan is cohesive and personalized. Harris also highlights our advanced treatment programs for complex lung cancer and sarcomas, including cutting-edge lung SBRT therapies and clinical trials for metastatic sarcoma combining immunotherapy with SBRT. With direct communication, including feedback post-treatment, and the ability to quickly coordinate care, UCI Health is here to support you and your patients.

David Lee, MD, recently completed his remarkable 7,000th robot-assisted prostatectomy in two decades of practice. Lee is the director of the UCI Health Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Program and a nationally regarded leader in minimally invasive robot-assisted prostatectomies. He received fellowship training in endourology at the UCI Medical Center, with an emphasis on laparoscopy, endoscopy, image-guided therapy and robot-assisted surgery, a then-new technology embraced by the UCI School of Medicine’s Department of Urology under the leadership of former-chair Ralph Clayman, M.D. a pioneer himself in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Prior to returning to UCI Health, Lee served as chief of urology services at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System, and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, where he built its robot-assisted prostatectomy program. Lee is the author or co-author of more than 200 published articles, abstracts and book chapters in the field of minimally invasive urologic surgery. He has also given numerous lectures on urologic health topics. Congratulations, Dr. Lee!

At UCI Health, it’s not just the advanced technology that drives our success in treating complex cases—it’s the seamless teamwork. In this video, Jeremy Harris, MD shares a remarkable case of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) performed at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer in Irvine. The case involved a newly discovered brain tumor, identified on a routine MRI. Thanks to rapid coordination across multiple teams—including radiation oncology and neurosurgery—we were able to create a detailed plan and treat the patient within the same week. We integrate cutting-edge technology with a team-based approach, allowing us to deliver precise treatment quickly and effectively. From advanced imaging techniques to real-time treatment guidance, our system is designed for exceptional care. Watch Harris explain how our collaborative approach and unique technology made this complex case a success.

What if tumors could be treated with pinpoint accuracy, sparing healthy tissue and reducing treatment times? At UCI Health, our radiation oncology team leverages cutting-edge techniques like stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to do just that. These noninvasive treatments target even the smallest, hardest-to-reach tumors with sub-millimeter precision. Patients experience fewer side effects and faster recoveries with high-dose precision and shorter treatment durations. Here, Jeremy Harris, MD, explains the science and coordination behind SRS and its impact on cancer care.

At UCI Health, we are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in cardiology training and patient care. Our recently opened cardiovascular simulation center sets a new standard, offering cutting-edge, simulation-based training for cardiology fellows and physicians. Just as simulation has been a gold standard in aviation for decades, it’s now becoming an essential tool in cardiovascular medicine. By allowing our teams to practice complex procedures in a risk-free, stress-free environment, we’re enhancing skills, improving patient safety, and shaping the future of healthcare. With advanced software and imaging technology, we can rehearse patient-specific procedures—ensuring our physicians are fully prepared before ever stepping into the operating room. This is just the beginning of what’s possible. We’re proud to lead the way in advancing education and care. Antonio H. Frangieh, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI Pranav M. Patel, MD Mentice #cardiology #medicalinnovation #healthcaretraining #simulationtraining #cardiovascularcare #interventionalcardiology

Jeremy Harris, MD is a UCI Health radiation oncologist who specializes in cancers of the head and neck, lung and central nervous system, as well as soft tissue sarcomas. He earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine and completed an internal medicine internship at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, followed by a residency in radiation oncology at Stanford University Hospital, where he served as chief resident. Harris is a co-author on several published research papers examining timely access to radiation treatment and survival rates, the cost-effectiveness of cancer therapies, socioeconomic factors influencing survival rates, as well as the clinical and financial burden of mental disorders on the treatment of cancer patients. Learn more about his practice: https://lnkd.in/gebzTYyv

Yesterday, dozens of physicians and medical students at UCI Health and the UCI School of Medicine took part in Latino Physician Day, joining a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the lack of Latinos in medicine. “Here in our state of California, approximately 40% of the population is Latino or identifies that way,” said Jose Mayorga, MD, executive director for UCI Health Family Health Centers. “And only 6% of physicians identify as Latino.” Read more and watch from NBCLA: https://lnkd.in/gi6-Ge4R