Winter storms hammering the region have been good for ski resorts but bad for blood banks, which are seeing a decline in donors due to weather and illness.

This week, the UC Davis community has a chance to bolster the Northern California supply, by visiting the bloodmobiles on the Quad, Wednesday and Thursday (Jan. 18-19). Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and, as always, staff and faculty can go to the head of the line to minimize their wait times.

BloodSource had already announced that all participants would receive a Dutch Bros. Coffee gift card (available through the MyBloodSource rewards site). Now, to further entice donors to come out — even if it’s raining — BloodSource is offering a chance to win a 55-inch Samsung smart TV and a $250 Raley’s gift card.

Health system changes name to UC Davis Health

Today (Jan. 17), the UC Davis Health System officially becomes UC Davis Health. University officials say the name change better captures the health system’s overall institutional focus, which is to serve the health and well-being of its patients and community.

“This change was informed by much research and discussion with internal and external stakeholders,” said Julie Freischlag, vice chancellor of Human Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine. “It better reflects who we are as an organization, putting the focus on health, healing and wellness, and conveying more warmth and accessibility.”

The new name affects only the overarching, organizational entity previously known as the “health system.” The UC Davis Medical Center, UC Davis Children’s Hospital, UC Davis School of Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis are not affected by the change.

“We’re still a well-organized ‘system,’ but ‘health’ really says it all,” Freischlag added. “It’s what we’re all dedicated to providing and sustaining each day.”

Freischlag noted that the new UC Davis Health name also aligns well with “UC Health,” the University of California’s principal health division, and the other UC medical center campus appellations.

President Napolitano undergoing treatment for cancer

The UC Office of the President issued the following statement today (Jan. 17):

UC President Janet Napolitano is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, which was diagnosed at the end of August of last year. The treatment is nearly complete. President Napolitano had a previous diagnosis of cancer that was successfully treated. She has kept the chair of the UC Board of Regents informed throughout the course of her current treatment.

During the course of this treatment, President Napolitano has consistently performed her wide range of duties at full capacity, without interruption or impact. Yesterday, however, she experienced side effects that required her to be hospitalized. According to her physicians, she is doing extremely well. They expect her to be discharged in the next day or so and back to her normal duties at full capacity very soon. While she is recuperating, UC’s senior leadership will continue to support President Napolitano in the management of the UC system and in advancing the university’s key priorities.

UC hires first systemwide Title IX coordinator

UC has its first systemwide Title IX coordinator: Kathleen Salvaty, appointed to lead efforts against sexual violence and sexual harassment throughout the university. The new position reports directly to the UC president.

Salvaty, an attorney, will move to UC headquarters from her position as Title IX coordinator at UCLA. She starts her new job Feb. 6.

In conjunction with campus chancellors and leaders at UC medical centers and labs, she will oversee local Title IX coordinators to ensure coordination, consistency and timeliness in implementing university policy.

“Hiring Kathleen is a critical next step in making sure our recently overhauled policies to prevent, adjudicate and sanction sexual misconduct at UC are properly, and consistently, carried out,” UC President Janet Napolitano said. “Her deep expertise and leadership in Title IX compliance will ensure the university remains at the forefront of advancements in this complex area and that each member of our UC community feels safe and respected.”

Read the UCOP news release.

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