UC Davis Children's Hospital

UC Davis Children's Hospital is a nationally recognized pediatric medical center located in Sacramento, California. It serves as the primary children's hospital for a vast region of Northern California and is a core component of the UC Davis Health system. The hospital provides a comprehensive spectrum of specialized care, from primary services to the most complex quaternary interventions, underpinned by the academic and research excellence of the University of California, Davis.

History

The origins of the hospital trace back to 1968 with the opening of the pediatric unit at the Sacramento Medical Center. Its evolution accelerated significantly following the affiliation with the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, which established a major academic health center in the region. A pivotal moment occurred in 1998 when the institution was formally designated as a distinct children's hospital within the UC Davis Medical Center complex. This recognition catalyzed the expansion of specialized pediatric programs and facilities, solidifying its role as a regional referral center. Subsequent decades have seen continuous growth, including major capital projects to modernize inpatient units, emergency services, and surgical suites to meet rising demand.

Facilities and services

The hospital operates within a state-of-the-art facility on the main UC Davis Medical Center campus, featuring 129 licensed pediatric beds. Key clinical areas include a Level I Pediatric trauma center, one of the busiest in the state, and a comprehensive Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The hospital houses a renowned Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with regional transport services and offers advanced surgical care through the UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center. Other critical services include pediatric hematology-oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery, supported by dedicated pediatric radiology, pharmacy, and child life specialist teams.

Affiliations and recognition

As an integral part of UC Davis Health, the hospital is the primary pediatric teaching site for the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. It holds membership in the Children's Hospital Association and is consistently ranked among the nation's best children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in multiple specialties. The institution is also a key participant in national research networks such as the Pediatric Heart Network sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Its regional partnerships extend to numerous community hospitals and clinics across Northern California, ensuring coordinated care.

Research and education

The hospital is a hub for translational research, with investigators conducting clinical trials and basic science studies through the UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center. Major research initiatives focus on areas like autism spectrum disorder, childhood cancer, premature birth, and pediatric infectious diseases. It serves as the central training ground for residents and fellows in pediatrics and all pediatric subspecialties accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The hospital also partners with the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis and other institutions to advance pediatric nursing education.

Patient care and programs

Patient care is organized around family-centered models, with specialized programs like the Child and Adolescent Abuse Resource and Evaluation (CAARE) Center and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics program. The hospital runs a robust pediatric palliative care service and the region's only pediatric burn center in collaboration with the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Community outreach is facilitated through the UC Davis Children's Surgery Center and numerous clinics managing chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes. Supportive care extends to school re-entry programs and creative arts therapies.