UCI Health Clinical Connection | February 2025
UCI Health Physicians
The UCI Health physicians are a devoted team of nationally regarded practitioners, researchers, and educators.
In this edition, UCI Health celebrates several recent achievements, including the remarkable recovery of 11-year-old Lauren Torres from a rare pancreatic tumor, Heather Austin's return to pain-free running after innovative spine surgery, and a prestigious award for cancer research received by Oliver Eng, MD. Additionally, Michael Demetriou, MD, PhD received a $4.6 million grant for groundbreaking CAR T-cell therapy, and John Graether, MD has established a $1 million endowment for pediatric ophthalmology training. The UCI Health commitment to rare diseases, advanced cardiology care, and education highlights a dedication to excellence in healthcare.
The voting period for the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals reputation ranking is now open. If you are a board-certified physician, visit Doximity to cast your vote for top-performing hospitals.
U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals voting is now open
The voting period for the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals reputation ranking is now open.
This survey receives thousands of physician nominations, which are then analyzed and become part of the calculation to establish specialty and hospital rankings in the annual report issued each summer.
Board-certified physicians with Doximity profiles can log into their accounts to cast a vote for a hospital that excels in their specialty and member physicians may list up to five hospitals in their specialty. “UCI Medical Center” counts as a vote for our organization.
Young dancer triumphs over rare pancreatic tumor
In November 2023, 11-year-old Lauren Torres was diagnosed with a rare pancreatic tumor during her annual physical. A CT scan at Children's Hospital of Orange revealed a mass on her pancreas, leading to a referral to UCI Health Chao Digestive Health Institute. Despite initial treatments, the tumor grew, necessitating a complex Whipple surgery performed by?David K. Imagawa, MD, PhD. After overcoming a life-threatening reaction to anesthesia, Lauren successfully underwent surgery and made a remarkable recovery, returning to her active life within months. She has since reunited with her care team to thank them once again for saving her life.
Outpatient spine surgery gets runner back on track
Two years ago, Heather Austin began feeling what she described as “electric shocks” that traveled from her hips down both legs. Over time, the pain intensified and left her barely able to walk, let alone drive her kids to school. Today, Austin is pain free and back to her morning runs thanks to UCI Health spine surgeon?Don Y. Park, MD, one of a few orthopedic surgeons who specialize in an innovative, minimally invasive surgery called biportal endoscopic spinal decompression.
Our commitment to rare diseases
Changri Xiao, MD, a neurogeneticist, discusses his work with rare genetic diseases, which often affect multiple organ systems and people of all ages. He highlights the challenges in diagnosing these conditions, which can take 6 to 15 years due to their rarity and technological limitations. Xiao also introduces the Undiagnosed Disease Network, an NIH-led initiative that connects patients with specialized centers to utilize advanced research tools for diagnosis, offering hope and expert reviews for those with undiagnosed conditions.
UCI Health physician recognized by the Society of Surgical Oncology
We are proud to announce that Oliver Eng, MD has received the prestigious Lisa Kurtz Luciano Appendix Cancer and Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Clinical Investigator Award, supported by a grant from the Appendix Cancer Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Research Foundation (ACPMP). This award, presented by the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO), recognizes his exceptional patient-focused research in clinical and translational science. The grant specifically supports research on appendiceal mucinous neoplasms, appendiceal adenocarcinomas, and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) of appendiceal origin. Congratulations to Eng for his remarkable achievement and dedication to advancing cancer research.
UCI Health neuroscientist awarded $4.6 million for promising pan-cancer immunotherapy
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded $4.6 million to UC Irvine neuroscientist Michael Demetriou, MD, PhD?to advance his groundbreaking work on genetically modified chimeric antigen receptor CAR?T-cells. These CAR T-cells target abnormal complex sugar chains called glycans on the surface of all major cancer cell types, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. This novel immunotherapy could extend the benefits of CAR T-cells to solid tumors like breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer, illustrating the power of academic collaboration in developing transdisciplinary approaches to cancer. The grant will support further translational work to bring this therapy to clinical trials, with the goal of safely treating a wide range of cancer types.
Lighting the way for a new generation in kids' eye care
John Graether, MD a pioneering ophthalmologist, has established a $1 million endowment to train pediatric ophthalmology fellows at the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. Under the guidance of Donny Suh, MD, the Irene and John Graether, MD, Endowed Vision Fellowship will support training in delicate pediatric eye surgeries. This endowment will attract top talent from around the world to UCI Health, ensuring continued excellence in pediatric ophthalmology.
UCI Health?cardiology team shares their support for American Health Month
At UCI Health, we pride ourselves on our collaborative approach to cardiology. In this discussion, David Donaldson, MD highlights the importance of working closely with referring physicians to ensure the best outcomes for shared patients. Our comprehensive cardiology services include preventive cardiology, interventional cardiology, cardiac arrhythmia management, heart failure treatment, and advanced diagnostic imaging. We utilize state-of-the-art technology and procedures, such as LVAD pump implants, ECMO, LAAC, Mitral and Tricuspid TEER and TTVR, and TAVR, to provide the highest level of care. To learn more about referring a patient to UCI Health, click here.
New clinicians
Alpa Patel, MD, ophthalmologist
You're invited
Creating Health Bootcamp: A Virtual Seminar Series
A 10-part, monthly Zoom seminar series to learn the latest evidence-informed approaches to maintaining and optimizing your patients’ health — and your own. Healthcare professionals will receive practical tools they can utilize in their clinical practice the next day. Open to all physicians and other clinicians in Orange County. This series provides AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).
Virtual Doc Talk:?IDH-Mutant Gliomas - Tumorigenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Join Carlen Yuen, MD and Dennis Malkasian, MD, PhD, F.A.C.S. to learn how low-grade gliomas (astrocytomas and oligodendroglimas) arise and how advanced diagnostics lead to the emergence of novel treatments, including targeted therapies.
Connect and Cure: UCI Health Network Night @ ASCO
Save the date: Fourth Annual Spine by the Sea Symposium
The UCI Departments of Neurological Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery provide educational activities in spine disorders to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Follow these channels to stay informed of how UCI Health physicians are?advancing their practice in the community: