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In this issue:
- Housestaff Recognitions
- Quality Improvement Resources
- Inclusive Excellence Resources
- Resident and Fellow Development Resources
- Wellness Resources
- Coordinator Hub
- GME Courses, Workshops, Upcoming Meetings, and Events
- CME Resources
| | | Spotlights, Appreciation & Awards | | |
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Housestaff Recognition
Over the past month, the following residents and fellows were recognized by colleagues from across the health system or from their patients:
Housestaff Name and Program
- Dr. Alice Su / Otolaryngology
- Dr. Michael Sparks / Pediatrics
- Dr. Alirameen Akram / Cardiology
- Dr. Ixavion Wright / Ophthalmology
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Dear GME Community,
In response to the evolving national dialogue, landscape, and increased scrutiny around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the staff and faculty of the Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD), have taken time to reflect on how best to preserve and advance the services and support for our community of learners that are essential to our supportive educational environment, principles of community, and institutional values.
After careful consideration and with the thoughtful feedback and input from our community of learners here at the School of Medicine, we are updating the name of our Office of Student and Resident Diversity to the Office of Medical Pathways or “Med-Paths”.
We’re taking this step to ensure that our vital services for our learners continue without interruption—services and programming that support a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for residents and fellows, provide mentorship opportunities, and continue to advocate for learners from all walks of life, including those from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
While the name is changing, our mission and values are unwavering. We’re not stepping back—we’re stepping forward with strength and intention. We remain committed to inclusive excellence, and reducing health care disparities by actively recruiting and cultivating a physician workforce prepared to care for everyone.
Please ensure the links to these websites are updated on your GME websites (FOR PD/PROGRAMS):
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Office of Medical Pathways homepage: Overview of programs for K-12 outreach, Undergraduate and Community College, Postbaccalaureate, Medical Students, and Residents. https://health.ucdavis.edu/med-pathways/
It is an honor for us to be able to serve our learners here at our School of Medicine and we thank you for continuing to walk with us in this work.
Sincerely,
Dr. Muñoz
Sean Muñoz MD, FAAP (he/him/his)
Interim Associate Dean, Office of Medical Pathways
Academic Coach, REACH pathway, Community Health Scholars Program
Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics
University of California, Davis
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Pulse check: Residency and Fellow Physician Feedback Session
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
North Addition Building, Room 2012 (2nd Floor)
RSVP for food count and access to survey: https://pulsecheck2025.eventbrite.com
Join us for a meaningful gathering designed to hear directly from residents and fellows physicians about your training experience so far. This event is an opportunity to share what’s going well, what challenges you’re facing, and what support you might need as you continue your journey. Whether you're feeling energized, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, your voice matters. We’ll use this time to listen, connect, and gather anonymous feedback that helps shape a more supportive and responsive training environment.
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Autumn Inclusive Excellence Physicians Networking Night
Resident physicians from across departments gather for an evening of connection and collaboration at the Autumn Inclusive Excellence Physicians Networking Night (10/1). This event offers a unique opportunity to share ideas, build interdepartmental connections, and engage with Dr. Eryne Faucett, Director of Inclusive Excellence for Graduate Medical Education, and Dr. Sean Munoz, Interim Associate Dean from the Office of Medical Pathways.
Picture below includes: Aldwin Soumare (psychiatry), Harsimran Bhandal (internal medicine and psychiatry) , Serena Ly-Swenson (urology), Brandon Swenson (Alumni) and Carlson Teboh (surgery).
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Title: Big News: The Improving OUTcomes Conference Has Evolved!
Introducing the 2025–2026 Improving OUTcomes Speaker Series — a dynamic, quarterly speaker series for health professionals and community partners looking to improve quality of and access to care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) patients and their families.
The series, and the topics presented for this year’s theme “Crosswalk: Intersectionality and the Social Determinants of LGBTQ+ Health,” are grounded in evidence-based research and informed by current scientific studies. We focus on addressing real-world needs identified through data to ensure the information we provide is credible, relevant, and impactful.
Registration is NOW OPEN! Secure your seat for a series of inspiration, learning, and conversation.
✨ New Format. Same Impact.
🔗More information at here
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP 26, for 1.5 contact hours. Attendees will not receive C.E. credit if they are more than 20 minutes late; no partial credit can be awarded.
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Residency and fellowship programs can now request Inclusive Excellence training session. These facilitated sessions address topics such as implicit bias, microaggressions, inclusive communication, and more, while also highlighting Graduate Medical Education resources and equity initiatives at UC Davis Health. Residency and fellowship program can request using the link here: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdYThunKpn7E0ZM or scanning the QR code.
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Update on Rooted in Healing Group Sessions
Dear medical students, residents, and fellow physicians,
We want to sincerely thank you for your interest in our Rooted in Healing group sessions. After careful consideration, and due to low turnout, we have decided to cancel future group meetings. Dr. Shah and I want to thank you for RSVP’ing to some of our sessions. Please be on the lookout for other group offerings and activities in the future! Thank you again for your support, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.
Warmly,
Dr. Sheetal Shah and Dr. Karima Holmes
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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, Ph.D., Susan Guralnick, MD or Ryan Traynham, MBA.
| | | | Resident and Fellow Development | | | |
Leadership Coaching
Enhance your leadership skills through coaching! Free, confidential one-on-one coaching from the GME office can help trainees develop skills and strategies to lead teams effectively, communicate with intention, and manage time efficiently to become the leader you want to be.
Schedule a meeting with me
Cloe Le Gall-Scoville, Ph.D., Director
clegalls@ucdavis.edu
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October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Mental health should always be addressed and honored, but this is the perfect time to be reminded of, and access, the many mental health and well-being resources available. In addition, even though clinical demands can feel daunting and time intensive, consider brief pauses to incorporate wellness strategies for yourself and your teams.
Experiencing awe can improve well-being by fostering feelings of connection, enhancing creativity and meaning, and reducing stress. Awe shifts focus to a sense of wonder and connection with something larger than oneself, leading to increased happiness, empathy, and even better physical health outcomes. Consider exploring these six strategies for cultivating awe including slowing down and paying attention to mundane routines; appreciating your senses, tuning deeply into color, sound, scent, and texture; unplugging from technology to stay present; taking awe walks, consciously seeking awe in nature; or practicing awe journaling, reflecting on and writing about awe-inspiring moments. Reflect on this inspiring article about the role of cultivating awe in your work with patients.
Sometimes we can over focus on evaluating whether we are happy in life and miss the opportunities to pause and enjoy moments of joy which can feel hard to find during a busy shift. In her Ted Talk on finding joy, Ingrid Fetell Lee discusses, “happiness is a state of being, it is a longer-term consideration...joy by contrast is simpler and more immediate....an intense momentary experience of positive emotion." It can be savoring the taste of a delicious donut shared in a work room, taking in the sun walking to ACC, sipping a cup of your favorite coffee, or embracing a positive comment from a patient. Intentionally looking for moments of joy can help bring positive emotion even during a day that is particularly challenging. If you need help in finding joy, consider listening to this podcast, or incorporate one of these five ways to cultivate joy, or watch an incredible documentary with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu on Finding Joy in Troubled times.
| | | | For Program Coordinators / Administrators | | |
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Thank you to everyone who submitted creative ideas for renaming the Program Coordinator section of our newsletter. We are excited to announce that the winning name is “Coordinator Hub”, submitted by Valerie Brown and Delia Luna. Your creativity has given our newsletter a fresh new identity, and we can’t wait to showcase it each month. Bravo to our winners—and a big thank-you to all who joined in the fun!
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| As the leaves change, it’s a good reminder that transitions can be beautiful—thank you for all the ways you help programs thrive through change. | |
✨ TED Talk of the Month ✨
Each month, we’re spotlighting a TED Talk to inspire, recharge, and spark new ideas for Program Coordinators. These short, powerful talks connect to themes like leadership, resilience, time management, and communication—skills that support you in both work and life. Grab a coffee, take a short break, and enjoy!
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October – The Happy Secret to Better Work – Shawn Achor
👉 Watch here
💡 Shawn Achor shows how happiness fuels productivity—and how we can train our brains for positivity.
🔎 Reflection: What’s one small daily habit you could try to boost positivity at work?
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🍂 Wellness Corner: “Falling Into Balance”
October brings cooler weather, shorter days, and a calendar full of deadlines and seasonal activities. It’s the perfect month to check in on your own well-being. Here are a few small but meaningful ways to recharge:
🥕 Nourish with Fall Flavors
🌞 Catch the Sunlight
- With days getting shorter, make the most of natural light - take a brisk 10-minute walk outside at lunch. It boosts Vitamin D and your mood
🎃 Seasonal Self-Care Challenge
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Pick one fall activity just for you - visit a pumpkin patch, take a scenic walk under the fall leaves, or curl up with a new book and a blanket
🎃 Fun Activities in Sacramento in October
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Midtown Halloween Festival & Pooch Parade - Fun for families and pets, with costumes, music, games, etc. Midtown Association
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Second Saturday / Midtown Arts Celebration - Arts walks, galleries, live music, food - runs May-October Midtown Association
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Sacramento Harvest Festival - Crafts, local vendors, live entertainment, food & drinks Wanderlog
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Courses and Workshops
Program Coordinator Training-Session #1 (Date 2) (virtual)
- Wednesday, October 8 at 12-1pm
Topics covered in Session #1: ACGME Resources, ADS, Review and Recognition Committees, Program Requirements, Recognition Requirements, Accreditation Statuses, Accreditation Letters, Citations and Areas of Improvements, Resident/Fellow and Faculty Surveys, ADS Update, Program Applications, and Program Site Visits. Join Zoom Meeting
Academy for Program Coordinators (virtual)
- Thursday, October 9, 2025
Second Thursday of each month, 8:00-9:00am. Contact: acadforpcs@unthsc.edu Join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 841 6264 9541 / Passcode: APC@25-26
NSAMA Educational Session (virtual)
- Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 9:00-10:00am
Join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 991 5471 3159 / Passcode: NSAMA2024
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.
Meetings
Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) (in-person)
- Tuesday, October 7, 2025
- Tuesday, November 4, 2025
First Tuesday of each month, at 11:30am-1:00pm. Locations announced via email. Lunch provided.
October Program Coordinator Connect (virtual)
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 12-1pm
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
PD Connect (virtual)
- Monday, October 20, 2025 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
Program Administrators/Program Coordinator Meeting (virtual)
- Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 1:30-3:00pm
Fourth Tuesday of each month. Join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 981 3075 9144 / Passcode: 016679
Resident Medical Staff Committee (RMSC) (hybrid)
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 12:00-1:00pm*
*Lunch provided with RSVP
Fourth week of each month. Day and time alternating each month. Location announced via email. Join Zoom meeting. Meeting ID: 994 8786 9141 / Passcode: 215011. Additional information on the RMSC website.
Due Dates
ACGME Milestones Mid-Year Reporting Window October 27, 2025 - January 9, 2026. Milestone assessments can be submitted via the ADS. See the ACGME website for more info.
| | | | Faculty and Professional Development | | |
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UC Davis Faculty Development is committed to delivering high quality training and resources for UC Davis Health 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.
We are always looking for ways to improve access to our trainings including online self-paced interactive modules, thematic mentoring and networking gatherings, high-engagement workshops, and cohort learning. Through our commitment to faculty growth, we hope to contribute to the best possible experiences for faculty, to students and for patients by ensuring health equity, superb clinical outcomes, educational excellence, and research quality that define UC Davis Health.
Upcoming Calendar Events
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| | GME Programming Available to Programs | |
Program leadership are encouraged to review GME's updated programming menu to see what workshops and didactics are available to their trainees and faculty.
Many of the topics meet ACGME requirements for Wellness, Interpersonal Communication,
Professionalism, and Faculty Development.
Reach out to us in GME as you plan your educational curriculum or have a spot to fill in your schedule.
| | | | | | For questions regarding the GME monthly newsletter please write Ahmet Demirer at aademirer@ucdavis.edu. Thank you. | | | You can view the GME newsletter on the Web {here.} | | | | |