Seen Yet Invisible: Muslim Patient and Physician Inclusion

The Muslim Faculty Staff Association is delighted to invite you to an enriching afternoon with Dr. Aasim Padela, a nationally recognized physician-scholar, researcher, and thought leader in the fields of bioethics, public health, and religion. Dr. Padela is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Bioethics and Medical Humanities at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he serves as Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship in the Department of Emergency Medicine. His work focuses on advancing health equity and understanding how religious identity, culture, and ethics shape healthcare experiences and outcomes. A graduate of Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Padela also holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Research from the University of Michigan and has completed advanced fellowships in clinical medical ethics, Islamic studies, and health services research. His academic career has included appointments at the University of Chicago, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, and other leading institutions.



Over the course of his career, Dr. Padela has become a pioneering scholar in Muslim health and Islamic bioethics. His research has examined Muslim patient experiences, religious discrimination and accommodation among healthcare professionals, faith-informed approaches to health promotion, organ donation, end-of-life care, and the intersection of medicine, ethics, and religion. His work has been supported by organizations including the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the John Templeton Foundation. Beyond academia, Dr. Padela provides public health and bioethics consultation to international organizations, legislative bodies, and courts. His expertise has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Newsweek, and CNN.

Thursday, August 27, 2026

4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Hybrid Event (In Person and Virtual)

Space is limited. RSVP on Eventbrite

Please see the attached flyer for additional details. If you are unable to attend the full program, you are welcome to join any portion of the discussion.

Inclusive Excellence Resident & Fellow Physicians Summer Networking Mixer (Thursday, July 9, 2026)

More than 50 new and current resident and fellow physicians attended the Inclusive Excellence Summer Networking Mixer to build community and strengthen connections across UC Davis Health. Hosted by the Office of Medical Pathways, the event featured participation from Dr. Erynne Faucett, Director of Graduate Medical Education, and Dr. Sean Munoz, Interim Associate Dean for the Office of Medical Pathways. To kick off the evening, residents and fellow physicians participated in conversations using the Dynamic Discussions Deck, reflecting on their experiences, and engaging in meaningful dialogue with colleagues from different specialties and training levels. The mixer is part of a quarterly series that provides opportunities for resident and fellow physicians to connect across specialties while exploring topics related to inclusive excellence, mentorship, career development, research, leadership, and wellness.

Resident/Fellow Support and Resources



As part of our commitment to fostering a supportive environment, we want to provide you with a list of UC Davis resources available to support you throughout your time here. Whether you’re seeking guidance, support, or simply want to connect with a community, we encourage you to explore and utilize these valuable resources.



This is an evolving list. If there are additional UC Davis resources, you'd like us to share please contact Erynne Faucett, MD, Sean Muñoz, MD, Eva Lee, MS, Maggie Rea, PhD, Susan Guralnick, MD or Ryan Traynham, MBA.

Wellness and Professional Support

• Academic and Staff Assistance Program
• Resident Medical Staff Committee (RMSC)

Work Environment

• Human Resources: Equal Opportunity Employment
• GME Policies

Inclusive Learning

• Campus Community Book Project
• Hate Free UC Davis
• Principles of Community
• UC Davis Land Acknowledgement  
• UC Davis Division of Inclusive Excellence Home Page

Identity and Community Resources

• Faith-Based Identity
• UC Davis LGTBQI+ Center
• UC Davis Socio-Politico Resources Page

Immigration and Legal Resources

• UC Davis Health GME Statement regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program (PDF)
• UC Davis Staff: What to Do if a Federal Immigration Agent Contacts You?
• UC Davis Undocumented Student Resource Center
• UC “Know Your Rights”  
• UCD Immigrant Legal Services Center
• UC Wide FAQ About Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions on University Property

The new academic year can be a particularly challenging time for trainees, especially our new interns. Please be reminded of the many resources available to support the mental health and well-being of our trainees

In addition, consider how to best integrate trainees into your programs and teams to foster their sense of belonging, well-being, and academic success. Reflect on what it means to be part of a well team. The GME Team offers an interactive workshop on "How To Run a Well Team," so please reach out if that is of interest. For now, consider the following:

• Be present: As seniors, chiefs and faculty, consistently check in by text/phone or in person. The goals are to listen, witness, and affirm their experiences even if you can’t solve all the problems. Knowing that you are available, and present is essential. You might consider using the Wellness Rounds model where PDs, APDS, and Chiefs circulate in clinical settings to check in on morale. You might bring a few snacks with you.
• Review this resource from ACGME on well-being during transitions.
• Peer Support: Encourage residents and fellows to keep an eye on their peers, and if they see something concerning, to say something and offer support. Trainees could be struggling with their confidence, anxiety or depression. You might find incorporating buddy programs in which residents/fellows regularly check in with one or two others to build camaraderie and normalize the importance of support.
• Listen for unhealthy narratives such as imposter thoughts which can show up during challenging transitions. It is not unusual for trainees to doubt themselves and their skills, and they might need your input to stay balanced with their performance expectations.
• Compliment, Honor Accomplishments, Express Gratitude: Never miss a chance to let your colleagues and trainees know you, “see,” all they are doing and their hard work. Doing this in person is wonderful, but an email to an individual, a team, the entire cohort that honors hard work and successes goes a long way. Details, can be meaningful,” You all just had an amazing shift, seeing 30 patients…, thank you for all you did. Celebrating accomplishments, both large and small, helps build confidence, reinforces sense of purpose, and reminds learners that growth happens one step at a time.

New Student Loan Debt Counseling Benefit for Employees

UC Davis and UC Davis Health employees now have access to student loan counselors and resources designed to help better understand and manage educational debt for themselves and their dependents.

Through personalized 1:1 counseling and a suite of online tools and resources, Tuition.io can help with:

• Repayment plan selection
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness guidance
• Default resolution support
• Debt consolidation guidance
• Student loan management and planning

Learn more about this new benefit and access your portal

Register for upcoming live Zoom webinars on student loan repayment and college funding: 

• A Guide to College Funding: Key Strategies and FAFSA Tips
• Register for the session held on Tuesday, July 21, 9-9:50 a.m.

Catch up on past webinars: 

• Student Loan Debt & Public Service Loan Forgiveness: New Employee Benefit, Legislative Changes and Steps to Take Now (June 2)
• If you or your family member currently have student loan debt, don’t miss this recorded webinar. Learn about Tuition.io, the new student loan benefit now available to eligible UC Davis and UC Davis Health employees, what’s changed with student loan repayment options, how to access Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and smart actions to take now.
• Browse previous recordings on student loan debt and college funding guidance

Questions? Email wellbeing@ucdavis.edu. 

Meetings

Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) (in-person)

• Tuesday, August 4, 2026
• Tuesday, September 1, 2026

First Tuesday of each month, at 11:30am-1:00pm. Agenda and Locations announced via email. Lunch provided.

Program Administrators/Program Coordinator Meeting (virtual)

• Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 9:30-11am

Monthly meeting, attendance is required. Join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 993 0618 8232 / Passcode: 581258

Resident Medical Staff Committee (RMSC) (hybrid)

• Monday, August 24, 2026 at 12:00-1:00pm*

Fourth Monday of each month. Time alternating each month. Location announced via email. Additional information on the RMSC website. *Lunch provided for in person attendance.

PD Connect (virtual)

• Thursday, August 20 at 12:00-1:00pm

Join Drs. Guralnick and Rea on Zoom for the monthly Program Director Connect, an informal gathering where you can have a chance to connect with others in the same role, share experiences and get input and support. Join Zoom meeting.

PC Connect (virtual)

• Tuesday, August 18 at 11am-12pm

This monthly informal call is an open space for Program Coordinators to connect, ask questions, share challenges, and exchange best practices. Whether you're looking for advice, new ideas, or just want to hear how others are approaching their work, this is a chance to learn from and support one another in a relaxed, peer-driven environment. No formal agenda—just real talk with fellow coordinators.​ Join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 935 6707 4895 / Passcode: 792867

Courses and Workshops

ACGME Self-Empowerment Workshop for Coordinators (virtual)

• Session: August 3-11, 2026

This seven-day interactive workshop is meant for both the new and experienced coordinators who wish to gain insights into leadership, networking, professionalism, and self-promotion as it pertains to the profession. This free workshop is repeated monthly. Visit the ACGME workshop website.

Academy for Program Coordinators (virtual)

• Thursday, August 13 at 8:00-9:00 am - Project Management

Second Thursday of each month. Contact: acadforpcs@unthsc.edu Register for workshop series 2026-2027. Meeting ID: 841 6264 9541 / Passcode: APC@25-26 - APC website

NSAMA Educational Session (virtual)

• Thursday, August 13 at 9:00-10:00am - B.R.A.N.D. like a pro

Registration link. National Society of Academic Medical Administrators (NSAMA) Sessions are typically held on the second Thursday of every other month. More information and registration can be found on the NSAMA website.

Due Dates

ACGME ADS Annual Update 2026-2027AY

The Annual Update will be collected between July and September 2026. The 2026-2027 ADS Annual Update Overview, FAQs, Schedule, and other resources are available in the ACGME Cloud Annual Update.

• Programs without case log data: July 6 – August 21, 2026
• Programs with case log data: July 20 – September 18, 2026

Past Due: Annual Program Evaluation (APE) 2025-2026 AY

Templates and instructions were emailed to program directors and program administrators on April 2, 2026. Please complete the APE and submit to the GME Office by July 15, 2026 by emailing Cirby Hatano, chatano@health.ucdavis.edu.

Program leadership are encouraged to review GME's programming menu of workshops and didactics available for their trainees and faculty.

Many of the topics meet ACGME requirements for Wellness, Interpersonal Communication, Professionalism, and Faculty Development.



Reach out to Dr. Maggie Rea at mrea@health.ucdavis.edu or Dr. Cloe Le Gall-Scoville at clegalls@health.ucdavis.edu as you plan your educational curriculum.

UC Davis Health Faculty and Professional Development Program is committed to delivering high quality training and resources for UC Davis Faculty. Our offerings derive from our core missions: Education, Research, Clinical Care and Service.

Our faculty trainers are subject matter experts that aim to provide timely and relevant programs, courses and individual sessions through multiple modalities to ensure access for faculty. We collaborate with other Institutional and National entities that align with the mission of UC Davis Health to ensure continuous quality improvement of our programming. We partner closely with the office of Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence, the office of Medical Pathways in the School of Medicine, and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing to provide and promote inclusive excellence training for all of our faculty.