UCI Health Physician Huddle

KRAS-targeted therapy and the future of pancreatic cancer treatment

Thu, 21 May 2026 06:00:00 -0700

Jennifer Valerin, MD, PhD, a UCI Health medical oncologist and pancreatic cancer specialist, joins Physician Huddle to discuss breakthrough treatments in the landscape of pancreatic cancer care.

Valerin shares how a family member's pancreatic cancer diagnosis more than 20 years ago shaped her decision to pursue medicine and focus her career on bringing new therapies to patients with pancreatic cancer. She also discusses her MD-PhD training path, her work in hereditary pancreatic cancer, and how clinical questions from patient care can inform research from bench to bedside and back.

The conversation explores why pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late, including nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss and back pain, the role of imaging and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy, and why the disease has historically been so difficult to treat.

Valerin also explains the significance of KRAS in pancreatic cancer and how emerging KRAS-targeted therapies — including daraxonrasib — may represent a major step forward for patients who previously had limited options. She discusses the importance of clinical trials, side effect management, multidisciplinary care and UCI Health leadership as a pancreatic cancer referral center in Southern California.

The episode closes with a discussion of cautious optimism on how oncologists can balance realism with hope and how treatment goals can be individualized around patient milestones.

Topics discussed:

Valerin’s career in pancreatic cancer was shaped by a deeply personal experience caring for her aunt through diagnosis and treatment.
Pancreatic cancer can be difficult to detect because symptoms are often nonspecific, including unexplained weight loss and back pain.
Tissue diagnosis remains essential, but ctDNA and mutation profiling can help inform molecular understanding and treatment planning.
KRAS has long been a major driver in pancreatic cancer and was historically considered difficult to target.
Emerging KRAS-directed therapies are creating new possibilities for patients with pancreatic cancer, particularly through clinical trials.
Side effect management is central to helping patients remain on therapy, including close collaboration with dermatology for rash associated with KRAS inhibitors.
The UCI Health pancreatic cancer program is positioned around multidisciplinary care, clinical trials, nutrition, psycho-oncology, surgery, interventional radiology, and close collaboration with community oncologists.

Connect with UCI Health physicians online at clinicalconnection.ucihealth.org, on LinkedIn @UCI Health Physicians, on Instagram @ucihealthphysicians, or at @uciphysicians on X.

Refer a patient at referralportal.ucihealth.org and learn more about ongoing clinical trials at ucihealth.org/clinical-trials.

How pain medicine is evolving for physicians and patients

Thu, 14 May 2026 06:00:00 -0700

Shalini Shah, MD, professor and vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Care and director of pain services at UCI Health, joins Physician Huddle to discuss the growth and evolution of pain medicine.

Shah reflects on her path from anesthesiology training at Cornell to adult and pediatric pain fellowships at Harvard-affiliated hospitals, and how she was recruited to UCI Health to help establish a pediatric pain program. She describes how UCI Health developed one of the country’s largest pediatric pain programs by volume, with care designed to improve access for children and adolescents who should not have to wait for care.

The conversation explores how UCI Health has expanded pain services across Orange County, including the growth of multiple pain clinics and a multidisciplinary model that brings together physicians from anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, psychiatry, and other specialties under a coordinated structure.

Shah discusses the state of opioid prescribing, including how the pendulum has shifted from overprescribing to fear of prescribing. She emphasizes that opioids are neither “the hero” nor “the villain,” but one component of a personalized treatment plan when used appropriately.

The episode also covers interventional pain therapies, longevity and function, lifestyle approaches to pain management, advocacy through organized medicine, and Shah’s reflections on physician leadership, work-life integration, and building teams that support people through different seasons of life.

Topics discussed:

UCI Health has developed a high-volume pediatric pain program focused on timely access, multidisciplinary care and community relationships.
Shah emphasizes that pain care should not be siloed; the UCI Health model brings multiple pain-trained specialties under one coordinated structure.
Shah’s leadership philosophy centers on building strong teams, understanding what people need to succeed and recognizing that team members operate at different capacities during different life stages.
Medical education around pain and opioid prescribing has historically been limited, contributing to broader challenges in clinical practice.
Shah helped advance a University of California-wide curriculum to improve medical student education in pain care and opioid prescribing.
Opioids should be viewed as part of a personalized treatment plan — not as either the central solution or something to categorically avoid.
Interventional pain medicine is evolving rapidly, with new therapies, modalities and devices expanding treatment options.
Pain management increasingly intersects with longevity, mobility, function and quality of life.
Physician advocacy matters because healthcare policy is often shaped by people who have not directly cared for patients.

Rethinking menopause care for midlife women

Fri, 08 May 2026 08:00:00 -0700

Rebecca Sauer, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCI Health, joins Physician Huddle to discuss the evolving field of menopause and midlife care.

Sauer reflects on her path from medical school at UC Irvine to her current focus on perimenopause, menopause, and women’s health. She explains that menopause care historically has received limited attention in medical training, despite the wide range of symptoms and health concerns that can arise during this stage of life.

The conversation covers common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, urogenital symptoms, and cognitive concerns. Sauer also discusses emerging associations with joint issues, tinnitus, cardiovascular changes, and broader health implications.

She outlines how clinicians can approach evaluation, including when to consider thyroid, rheumatologic, autoimmune, nutritional or mood-related conditions before attributing symptoms to perimenopause. The discussion also explores hormone therapy, nonhormonal options, osteoporosis prevention, resistance training, and the importance of setting realistic expectations for treatment.

Sauer also illustrates UCI Health leadership in developing a comprehensive menopause program, built around certified menopause providers, multidisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based guidance for women navigating midlife health.

Topics discussed:

Sauer emphasizes that listening, validation, and individualized care can significantly improve quality of life.
Nonhormonal therapies may be appropriate for patients who are not candidates for hormone therapy or have targeted symptoms.
Menopause and perimenopause have historically been underrepresented in medical education, even within OB-GYN training.
Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, urinary symptoms and vaginal dryness.
Midlife care may also involve cognitive symptoms, joint concerns, cardiovascular risk, bone health, mood disorders and metabolic changes.
Perimenopausal symptoms are often a diagnosis of exclusion; clinicians should evaluate for thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies and other possible causes when indicated.
Hormone therapy remains a standard-of-care option for vasomotor symptoms and may help prevent osteoporosis in appropriate patients.
UCI Health progress toward a comprehensive, evidence-based menopause care model across OB-GYN, primary care, and other key subspecialties.

How biportal endoscopic spine surgery is changing the present and future of outpatient spine care

Mon, 04 May 2026 16:00:00 -0700

Don Park, MD, professor of orthopedic surgery and director of minimally invasive spine surgery at UCI Health, joins Physician Huddle to discuss the evolution of endoscopic spine surgery and the development of the UCI Health outpatient spine surgery program at the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus.

Park explains how endoscopic techniques allow surgeons to treat common spine conditions through millimeter-sized incisions, using high-resolution cameras and specialized instruments. He describes how these approaches may support faster recovery, reduced pain, and a transition of appropriate spine procedures from the inpatient setting to an ambulatory surgery center.

The conversation also explores why the adoption of minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery has been gradual in the United States, the importance of hands-on training and mentorship, and how the UCI Health multidisciplinary spine program brings together orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery in a collaborative environment.

Park also discusses his use of an augmented reality headset during endoscopic lumbar fusion, the role of emerging technologies in the operating room, and the future potential of AI as an adjunct to surgical decision-making, visualization, and safety.

Topics discussed:

Endoscopic spine surgery uses small incisions and high-resolution visualization to treat selected spine conditions, including lumbar disc herniations and lumbar stenosis.
UCI Health is developing an endoscopic and outpatient spine surgery program that aligns with the Irvine medical campus and its ambulatory surgery capabilities.
Not every patient is a candidate for endoscopic surgery; Park emphasizes matching the right patient, pathology, and surgical approach.
Training is central to broader adoption because many surgeons did not learn endoscopic spine techniques during residency or fellowship.
Park views new technology through a patient-safety lens: It must make surgery better, more efficient or safer.
Augmented reality technologies may offer enhanced visualization and improved ergonomics during selected endoscopic spine procedures.
AI’s future role in spine surgery may be as an adjunct that supports surgeons, rather than a replacement for clinical judgment.

Lung cancer in never-smokers: What physicians should know

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Physician Huddle by UCI Health, thoracic surgeon Hari B. Keshava, MD, joins the show to discuss the rising incidence of lung cancer in never-smokers, persistent gaps in lung cancer screening, and the growing importance of coordinated follow-up for incidental lung nodules.

Keshava also explains how advances in minimally invasive and robotic thoracic surgery, along with targeted therapies and immunotherapy, are reshaping treatment pathways for patients with lung cancer. He also shares his unusual path to medicine, from electrical engineering to thoracic surgery, and reflects on how a personal, family experience with serious lung disease continues to shape the way he cares for patients and their loved ones.

Topics discussed:

Why lung cancer screening rates have improved, but remain far below where they should be
Common physician and patient barriers to low-dose CT screening
How to talk with patients about smoking history without judgment
What to do when a lung nodule is found incidentally
How the UCI Health lung nodule clinic helps streamline follow-up and next steps
The rising incidence of lung cancer in never-smokers, particularly in certain patient populations
Questions surrounding genetics, driver mutations, and environmental exposure
How robotic and minimally invasive thoracic surgery is improving recovery
Why targeted therapies and immunotherapy are changing surgical decision-making
Keshava’s path from electrical engineering to thoracic surgery
How personal experience shapes empathy, expectation-setting, and patient communication
What makes thoracic surgery and multidisciplinary cancer care at UCI Health distinctive

How integrative health approaches such as acupuncture and nutrition support quality of life and improve cancer outcomes

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0700

Gary Deng, MD, program director of integrative oncology at UCI Health and Samueli Endowed Chair in Integrative Oncology and the director of clinical affairs at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, discusses his vision for building a whole-person model of cancer care at UCI Health.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and earlier work at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Deng explains how integrative oncology has evolved from a niche, often misunderstood field into an increasingly evidence-based component of modern cancer care. He describes how approaches such as acupuncture, nutrition, exercise, stress management, and lifestyle change can help address symptoms, support quality of life and give patients a greater sense of agency during treatment.

The conversation also explores the science behind integrative oncology, including randomized controlled trials, neuroimaging, National Cancer Institute-funded research, and emerging data suggesting that interventions once viewed as supportive may also affect treatment response and clinical outcomes. Deng outlines his long-term goal of establishing a model at UCI Health that integrates mind, body, and lifestyle into standard oncology care and generating the evidence to help disseminate that model more broadly.

Topics discussed:

Building the UCI Health integrative oncology program
Why whole-person care matters in cancer treatment
Treating symptoms, quality of life, and patient experience alongside the disease
The evolution of acupuncture from skepticism to guideline-supported care
National Cancer Institute-funded research in acupuncture and sepsis
Functional MRI and neurobiological mechanisms behind acupuncture
Lifestyle medicine in oncology, including diet, exercise, stress and sleep
Emerging research on lifestyle change and treatment response
Circadian rhythm, social environment, and cancer outcomes
The opportunity to build a new integrative oncology care model at UCI Health

What happens when GI doctors shape the future of endoscopic therapy and technology?

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0800

Jason Samarasena, MD, professor of medicine and Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at UCI Health, reflects on more than two decades of service at UCI Health and the rapid transformation of modern GI practice.

Now leading a division spanning advanced endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology and motility, Samarasena discusses recruiting world-class faculty, expanding clinical trials and building a culture that empowers physicians to pursue their strengths, whether in program development, research, or innovation.

The conversation highlights breakthrough technologies including the first drug-coated balloon for complex esophageal strictures, next-generation robotic colonoscopy platforms and artificial intelligence systems designed to detect and characterize polyps, identify dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus and automate endoscopy reporting. Samarasena also shares insights from co-founding an AI company focused on computer vision in GI and discusses how digital health agents may transform patient preparation, multilingual communication, and workflow efficiency.

The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming UCI Health Digestive Health Summit, a two-day educational and hands-on training event showcasing multidisciplinary collaboration across surgery and gastroenterology, along with a leadership and empowerment track addressing physician wellness, innovation, and the evolving business of healthcare.

Topics Discussed:

•Balancing clinical care, research and training
•Clinical trials in IBS and advanced GI therapeutics
•Robotic colonoscope platform development
•Ergonomics and physician longevity in endoscopy
•Drug-coated balloon for esophageal strictures (Paclitaxel)
•AI computer vision in colonoscopy
•Dysplasia detection in Barrett’s esophagus
•Automating endoscopy reports with AI
•AI health agents for bowel prep and multilingual patient communication
•Chao Digestive Health Institute (CDHI) collaborative model
•Digestive Health Summit and hands-on endoscopy labs

Neurosurgical innovation and incremental wins in an unforgiving field

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0800

Frank Hsu, MD, PhD, the Denny and Betty Tsai Endowed Chair in Neurological Surgery at UCI Health, reflects on shaping a comprehensive, subspecialty-driven neurosurgery program grounded in collaboration, academic rigor, and steady innovation.

Since joining UCI Health in 2012 and assuming departmental leadership shortly thereafter, Hsu has helped guide the program through a period of significant growth, expanding faculty depth across trauma, spine, vascular, functional and skull base neurosurgery while strengthening residency and fellowship training.

In this conversation, he discusses building a culture that prioritizes teamwork over ego, developing multidisciplinary programs in partnership with neurology, orthopedics and otolaryngology, and advancing minimally invasive approaches such as focused ultrasound for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. He also outlines how the UCI Health expansion into Irvine and affiliated community hospitals is enhancing access to complex stroke, trauma, and tertiary neurosurgical care across the region.

This episode offers an inside look at how advanced neurosurgery evolves, through deliberate recruitment, evidence-based innovation and incremental progress in some of medicine’s most challenging diseases.

Topics Discussed

Multimodality monitoring in traumatic brain injury
Expanding subspecialty expertise across trauma, spine, vascular and functional neurosurgery
Comprehensive spine collaboration with orthopedics, neurology, pain and rehab
Growth of residency and fellowship programs
Focused ultrasound for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease
Expansion across Irvine and community hospitals
Building a collaborative neurosurgery culture
Managing stroke volume in a growing region
Evidence-based adoption of robotics and minimally invasive techniques
Incremental advances in glioblastoma survival
Academic leadership in Orange County’s only academic medical center

From gene therapy to focused ultrasound: Advancing the future of neurological care

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Physician Huddle by UCI Health, Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil, Stanley van den Noort Endowed Chair in Neurology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, discusses scaling a 60+ faculty department, expanding clinical trials access and advancing precision neurology through stem cell therapy, artificial intelligence, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Henchcliffe reflects on her path from Oxford to Weill Cornell Medicine and ultimately to UC Irvine, where she has grown the Department of Neurology from fewer than 40 faculty to more than 60, with ongoing expansion underway. She discusses the strategic importance of integrating academic neuroscience with enterprise growth, leveraging campus research strength, community partnerships, and clinical scale to meet a nationwide shortage of neurologists.

The conversation highlights the UCI Health depth in neurodegenerative disease, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, and emerging dementia subtypes, as well as its more than 100 open clinical trials across gene therapy, stem cell transplantation, antibody infusions, and small molecule therapeutics. Henchcliffe describes pioneering work in first-in-human stem cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease and the launch of magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound for non-incisional neurological interventions.

Looking ahead, she outlines a vision for precision neurology powered by neurogenetics, AI-driven predictive analytics and neuroinformatics, bringing biomarkers, environment, social determinants and big data together to personalize neurological care.

Topics Discussed:

Addressing the national neurologist workforce shortage
Integrating campus research with clinical neurology
First-in-human stem cell transplantation for Parkinson’s disease
Gene therapy in neuromuscular disorders
Magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound for non-incisional neurosurgery
Expansion of stroke care and comprehensive stroke center collaboration
Undiagnosed Disease Network participation
Development of a new headache fellowship
Neuroinformatics, AI and predictive analytics in clinical decision-making
Precision neurology incorporating genetics, biomarkers and social determinants
More than 100 open clinical trials across subspecialties

From hidden gem to regional referral center: The evolution of ENT at UCI Health

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Physician Huddle by UCI Health, Lindsay Carrillo, MBA and Sunil Verma, MD, sit down with Tjoson Tjoa, MD, Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, to discuss the department’s transformation from a single-digit-faculty service line to a rapidly expanding, subspecialty-driven academic program.

Tjoa reflects on returning to UCI Health after fellowship, building a head and neck cancer practice through community engagement and availability, and ultimately stepping into departmental leadership. He shares lessons learned about referral network development, physician accessibility, and the importance of creating sustainable growth that supports both patient access and physician wellness.

The conversation also explores how recent health system expansion, including the opening of UCI Health – Irvine and the launch of a dedicated ENT presence in Brea, has lifted longstanding constraints on ambulatory and operating room capacity. With 19 faculty members and at least two subspecialists in every major ENT discipline, the department is positioning itself as a regional referral destination serving Orange County, the Inland Empire, and eastern Los Angeles County.

Tjoa also outlines emerging research strengths, including nationally recognized innovations in hearing science and spatial genomics in head and neck cancer.

Together, these efforts aim to elevate national reputation while maintaining the UCI Health identity as an accessible and collegial academic medical center.

Topics Discussed:

Building a head and neck cancer referral network through availability and community engagement
Aligning departmental growth with health system expansion
Doubling faculty size to meet regional demand
Subspecialization across seven ENT disciplines
Expanding ambulatory access in Brea and Irvine
Creating geographically rooted care teams to improve continuity and wellness
Strengthening collaboration between clinicians and campus researchers
Nationally recognized hearing research and cochlear innovation
Spatial genomics and transcriptomics in head and neck cancer
Balancing local community access with national academic reputation

What NCI designation means for cancer care in Orange County

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Physician Huddle by UCI Health, Lindsay Carrillo, MBA, and Sunil Verma, MD, are joined by Richard Van Etten, MD, PhD, director of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and holder of the Chao Family Endowed Director’s Chair in Cancer Research and Treatment.

Van Etten reflects on his career path from Stanford and Harvard to leading one of the nation’s National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer centers, and outlines what distinguishes academic cancer centers from community oncology practices. He discusses the depth of subspecialization required to treat complex malignancies, the importance of multidisciplinary care models, and why access to clinical trials remains essential when guidelines fall short.

The conversation also explores the UCI Health commitment to its Orange County catchment area, including care for underserved populations, the expansion of inpatient and outpatient cancer services in Irvine and Orange, and the impact of launching the county’s only adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant and cellular therapy program.

Van Etten closes by sharing leadership strategies that have driven rapid growth in faculty, funding and national research visibility, and by outlining the cancer center’s future priorities in precision medicine, integrative oncology, and training the next generation of cancer specialists.

Topics discussed:

What NCI designation means for patients and referring physicians.
Differences between academic cancer centers and community oncology practices.
Subspecialization and multidisciplinary care in complex cancers.
Clinical trials access when standard treatment guidelines end.
Caring for underserved populations in Orange County.
Expansion of cancer services across Irvine and Orange.
Launch and growth of the adult stem cell transplant and cell therapy program.
Faculty recruitment, research funding growth and leadership strategy.
The role of philanthropy and investigator-initiated trials.
Future priorities in precision oncology, integrative care and education.

How Advanced Clinical Research Evolves Into Patient Access

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Farshid Dayyani, MD, PhD, medical director of the Stern Center for Clinical Trials and Research and associate director for translational science at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center shares his path to UCI Health and how the cancer center’s clinical trials program has grown over the past decade.

From expanding participation in industry-sponsored studies to developing a robust portfolio of investigator-initiated trials, he discusses what it takes to build a sustainable clinical trials infrastructure, balance patient care with research responsibilities, and support junior faculty as clinical investigators.

The conversation explores how patients and referring physicians access trials, the ethics and design of modern oncology studies, and the evolving role of liquid biopsy and molecular residual disease testing in cancer care. Dayyani also reflects on the scale and complexity of running a large clinical trials enterprise, the importance of team-based execution, and why meaningful research starts by listening to the patients you serve.

Topics discussed:

Building and scaling a comprehensive clinical trials program within an academic medical center.
Balancing patient care responsibilities with the demands of clinical research.
The role of industry-sponsored, cooperative group, and investigator-initiated trials.
How patients and referring physicians identify and access clinical trials at UCI Health.
Ethical design of oncology trials and addressing common patient concerns about participation.
The growing role of liquid biopsy and molecular residual disease testing in cancer care.
Supporting and mentoring junior faculty as clinical investigators.
The infrastructure and collaboration required to run high-quality clinical trials at scale.
How regional demographics and disease prevalence shape trial design and enrollment.

Building a Research Powerhouse: The Evolution of the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Physician Huddle, Baruch D. Kuppermann, MD, endowed professor, chair of the UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology and director of the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, shares the challenges of building a nationally recognized research enterprise within an academic ophthalmology department.

Kuppermann reflects on his decades-long career at UC Irvine, including two distinct tenures as department chair, and the strategic decisions that helped transform the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute into a leading center for translational vision research. He discusses recruiting world-class scientists, aligning research growth with clinical excellence, and leveraging philanthropy and institutional partnerships to accelerate discovery.

The conversation explores how proximity between bench and bedside is reshaping faculty recruitment, collaboration and patient care, as well as the leadership principles, integrity, consistency and playing the long game, that have guided the institute’s evolution. Kuppermann also shares advice for emerging academic leaders on building credibility, managing complexity, and sustaining momentum over time.

Topics discussed:

Building a translational vision research enterprise within an academic ophthalmology department.
Strategic recruitment of world-class scientists and clinician–scientists.
The role of philanthropy and endowments in accelerating research growth.
Creating proximity between bench research and clinical care to drive innovation.
Expanding NIH-funded research and national visibility in vision science.
Lessons learned from serving multiple tenures as department chair.
Servant leadership, integrity and managing alignment across faculty and institutional leadership.
Balancing academic growth with community-based ophthalmic care across Orange County.
Advice for emerging leaders on credibility, diplomacy and long-term impact in academic medicine.

Why Great Urology Programs Don’t Happen by Accident

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0800

Leaders from UCI Health sit down with Jamie Landman, MD, Chair of the UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Urology, to discuss leadership, culture-building, and innovation in academic medicine.

Landman reflects on his path to UCI Health, the evolution of the Department of Urology over the past 15 years, and the leadership philosophy that has helped cultivate collaboration, mentorship, and sustained the development of faculty at every career stage. He also shares lessons learned from executive coaching, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and why service-oriented leadership is essential to building high-performing clinical teams. Landman also highlights emerging innovations in robotics, minimally invasive procedures, and clinical trials that are shaping the future of urology.

Topics discussed:

Building and sustaining a collaborative, service-oriented culture within an academic urology department.
Leadership development in academic medicine, including the role of executive coaching and emotional intelligence.
Recruiting, mentoring, and supporting faculty across career stages to drive long-term departmental excellence.
Leveraging philanthropy and development partnerships to launch innovative clinical, research, and community programs.
Expanding access to urologic care through community partnerships and the growing UCI Health clinical footprint.
Emerging innovations in urology, including robotics, minimally invasive procedures, and first-in-the-world clinical trials.
The role of academic health centers in translating cutting-edge research and technology into patient-centered care.

AI Governance and the Transformation of Clinical Care and Healthcare Informatics