The newest employee at UC Davis Children’s Hospital doesn’t wear scrubs or use a stethoscope.

He comes to work with a wet nose and a wagging tail to do a job only a canine can! Facility dog Daniels works in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to help calm, comfort and motivate young patients going through medical procedures and long hospital stays.

Daniels was provided free of charge by Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization that provides expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities, and to professionals working in medical, rehabilitation, physical therapy and other settings. Daniels joins three other Canine Companions facility dogs at UC Davis Children’s Hospital — Huggie, Paloma and ZeeBee.

— Tricia Tomiyoshi

Nurse stars in Vax for the Win

Claudio Alvarado has had many memorable days as an assistant nurse manager with UC Davis Health — but nothing tops what he experienced on Friday (June 4).

He got to spend an hour with California Gov. Gavin Newsom promoting COVID-19 vaccinations before a televised, statewide audience.

Alvarado, wearing his black UC Davis Health Pediatric Emergency Medicine scrubs, was enlisted by the governor’s office to appear on stage at California State Lottery headquarters in Sacramento. His role: Stand a few feet from Newsom and place dots on a poster-sized map showing the home counties of winners in Vax for the Win, a new initiative that awards cash prizes to people who sign up for the vaccine.

— Edwin Garcia

Chef’s venue: Tower Bridge

Visit Sacramento has named UC Davis Health’s executive chef, Santana Diaz, to lead this year’s Tower Bridge Dinner. The annual fundraiser benefits Sacramento’s renowned Farm-to-Fork Festival, an event that attracted more than 155,000 people in 2019. The dinner also funds scholarships for CAMP students at Sacramento State, who are the children of migrant farmworkers.

Diaz has led an innovative program for the health system that is changing the face of hospital food. He’s prioritized local ingredients and sustainability, as well as providing diverse and delicious menu options for both patients and staff.

Public ticket information for the 2021 dinner will be released July 15 at www.farmtofork.com.

— Charles Casey