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UCLA’s CASIT joins national effort to advance in-home healthcare
UCLA’s Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology (CASIT) is partnering with over two dozen academic and industry leaders to establish a Center to Stream Healthcare in Place (C2SHIP) hub at UCLA. Led by CASIT Research Director Dr. Bijan Najafi, the initiative is supported by a $4 million NSF grant. It unites UCLA faculty to advance in-home healthcare through wearable technology, AI-driven analytics, and remote monitoring.
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Dr. Justine Lee honored with Presidential Early Career Award
Dr. Justine Lee, Bernard G. Sarnat Professor of Craniofacial Biology and associate chief of plastic surgery at UCLA Health, received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor for early-career researchers. The award recognizes innovation and leadership in science and technology.
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Psychological prehabilitation improves surgical recovery, study finds
A new analysis led by surgeons at UCLA Health finds that psychological prehabilitation can significantly improve recovery after surgery. Spearheaded by medical student Anne E. Hall in , the study reviewed data from 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 2004 and 2024, encompassing 2,376 patients. The findings are published in .
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How UCLA Health is helping to extend the transplant viability of hearts and lungs
UCLA Health is revolutionizing organ transplantation with advanced perfusion technology that extends the viability of donated hearts and lungs. Dr. Abbas Ardehali, vice chair of transplantation, has led pioneering trials that keep organs functioning longer, expanding access to lifesaving transplants.
Additional coverage: UCLA Health Newsroom
Chronic stress and obesity work together to accelerate pancreatic cancer development and growth, study finds
A UCLA-led study published in suggests that chronic stress and an unhealthy diet may accelerate the development of pancreatic cancer by activating cancer-promoting pathways. Co-led by Dr. Guido Eibl, professor-in-residence of surgery, and Dr. Joe Hines, professor and chair of surgery at UCLA, the research also highlights beta-blockers as a potential preventive therapy.
UCLA Liver Transplant Program uses 'revolutionary technology' to expand pool of usable organs
For patients with liver failure, the wait for a transplant can be long, and every moment counts. Dr. Douglas Farmer, chief of the Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation at UCLA Health, is transforming transplant care with ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion. This groundbreaking technology keeps livers warm and functional, expanding the donor pool and giving more patients a second chance at life.
UCLA vascular surgeon discusses Victor Wembanyama's deep vein thrombosis
Dr. Hugh A. Gelabert, professor of surgery in UCLA’s Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, explained that Victor Wembanyama’s deep vein thrombosis (DVT) differs from Chris Bosh’s past condition. While Bosh’s DVT led to a pulmonary embolism, Wembanyama’s shoulder clot is typically lower risk.
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Latest advances in cancer research and liver transplantation to be featured at Academic Surgical Congress
UCLA researchers will present over 70 abstracts at the 20th annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC), highlighting cutting-edge advancements in breast lesion detection, robotic cancer resection, liver transplantation, and pancreatic cancer diagnostics.
Traveling to high-volume centers for esophageal cancer surgery improves survival
A study led by UCLA medical student Sara Sakowitz, MS, MPH, found that patients who traveled to high-volume centers for esophagectomy had significantly better 1-year and 5-year survival, especially those with stage III esophageal adenocarcinoma. The findings support centralizing complex oncologic care despite challenges like travel burden and continuity of care
Study reveals disparities in heart transplant outcomes among Medicaid patients
Dr. Peyman Benharash, cardiothoracic surgeon at UCLA Health, co-authored a UCLA-led study revealing that Medicaid-insured heart transplant patients face a higher risk of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), a condition that affects long-term survival. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the study highlights how treatment at high-volume transplant centers can mitigate these risks, offering patients more consistent follow-up care and access to essential medications.
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Cardiac surgery consortium improves outcomes and reduces costs
Dr. Richard J. Shemin, chief of cardiac surgery at UCLA Health, founded the University of California Cardiac Surgery Consortium (UCCSC) to enhance patient care across UC’s five health centers. By sharing data and best practices, the consortium has saved 132 bed days and improved financial margins by $15 million.
Multidisciplinary approach enhances peripheral artery disease (PAD) treatment
Dr. Vincent Rowe, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at UCLA Health, leads a comprehensive team of specialists to treat complex PAD cases and prevent amputations. By integrating vascular and plastic surgery, wound care, podiatry, and hyperbaric medicine, UCLA Health has successfully preserved limbs and improved patient outcomes.