Annc: This Studio Sacramento episode is supported by UC Davis Health where doctors, nurses, and researchers share a passion for advancing health.

Learn more about their latest medical innovations at health.ucdavis.edu.

♪♪ Scott: The UC Davis School of Medicine offers a free Mini Medical School to hundreds of local residents each year.

Participants learn about issues ranging from addiction to healthy aging.

Dean Allison Brashear joins us to talk about the program, the medical school, and its impact on the Sacramento region.

Dean Brashear, what exactly is a Mini Medical School Program?

Allison: Well, thank you so much, Scott.

Mini Medical School is a program where we bring the School of Medicine to the community.

It's typically been in person and it's been going on for 19 years.

This year, we went from having 750 people be able to participate to over almost 1,600.

We have room for actually up to 3,000 people.

Scott: Wow.

You know, uh... uh, for it to go on that many years, and so many of us haven't heard anything about it, um, w-— I certainly need to get out more.

What was the inspiration for UC Davis to start this program in the first place?

Allison: Well, um, we certainly are thrilled to be able to tell you more about it.

We really wanted to bring the medical school to the community.

So, there's so many great things that go on in our medical school.

As you know, we have state of the art researchers, uh, we have educators, and we really can bring this... these topics to the community.

So, a great example is everything about COVID.

So, we had, uh, Dr. Stu Cohen, uh, who actually is featured this week in the New England Journal, in one of his clinical trials that we participated in, and he spoke to the group about COVID.

There was another, uh... uh presentation about isolation in COVID.

So, it's really a great way to bring, uh, the cutting-edge science to the community.

And, um, now with, uh, doing it virtually, we can open it up to so many more people.

Scott: Tell us a little bit about, uh, Dr. Cohen and the journal article that, uh, was just published.

Allison: So, what we've been doing here at UC Davis is a large number of clinical trials, and this is a clinical trial that was published that we were a participant here about-— to the combination of two drugs, uh, in COVID patients.

Um, one of the things that I really am so proud of is, as you know, uh, we had the first community acquired case in the country at UC Davis on February 26th.

On March 2nd, we rallied about 40 people from all over campus, the clinics, pathology, all the regulatory people were in a conference room right behind me and on the phone, and we figured out what we needed to do.

And we were able to rapidly get research trials up and running, some within five days.

So, we were able to bring clinical trial research to patients.

In the early days of COVID, these were the only medications that we could give patients with COVID.

So, early on, if you came to UC Davis, you received Remdesivir as part of the research trial.

We morphed into the vaccine trials and we'’re, uh, we'’re a large enroller in the Pfizer trial.

I'm so proud that UC Davis enrolled one of the most diverse groups in the Pfizer vaccine trial across the country.

And now we've recently had many other trials that we've enrolled in, including another recent trial that Dr. Cohen did.

Scott: Interesting.

Uh, talking about the pandemic, I'’m curious, how has the pandemic affected the Mini Medical School program, and what have you learned from it?

Allison: So, the Mini Medical School has grown exponentially since we've been able to go virtually.

So, we usually had 750 people, and now we have upwards of 2,000 people attending.

You know, I think this really means that people get more data, they get more science, and they're actually seeing, um, what we have here, the richness of our research and education at the School of Medicine.

Um, I think that's actually a good thing, um, that people can listen to Dr. Cohen give a lecture about vaccines, about testing, about isolation with COVID.

So, we're about bringing information to the community and making sure that they have all the data and facts.

Scott: And who exactly is an ideal candidate to participate in... in this Mini Medical School?

Allison: Well, Scott, you can participate.

It's anybody out there, anybody who is-— has a computer and internet can sign up, uh, and it's open to really anybody.

Um, uh, we could have anybody from across the country sign up.

We're just about providing information about what goes on here at UC Davis.

And there's other topics other than COVID, things about aging, healthy...

Healthy Aging in a Digital World, Alzheimer's disease.

Um, it's a myriad of things.

You know, we have a lot of experts here at the School of Medicine.

Um, we are ranked number 7th in primary care in the country, 40 in research.

We are one of the top NIH funded medical schools and this year hit a record of $180 million in one year of NIH funding.

And that means our researchers are at the cutting edge of both basic science research, but also clinical research trials that impact patients on a day-to-day basis with things like neuroscience and cancer.

So, I'm so proud that Mini Medical School is really providing a service to the community.

Scott: Given all of the things you just described, that the, uh, the campus and the Medical School are involved with and all of those achievements, I'm curious when participants come in and they go through the... the program, what is it that typically they say, "I just had no idea when I stepped into this, that UC Davis Medical School was doing all these things."

Allison: I think that they really have an appreciation for the gem that is UC Davis School of Medicine.

I think people who take the Mini Medical School really have a aha moment that they didn't know that they had this amazing resource in their community.

And, um, I think it really furthers the relationship of UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis with our community.

You know, um, COVID has brought science and medicine so much closer to the community and this is just another way that we are serving the community by broadening everybody's knowledge base about so many things in medicine.

Scott: How do... how do the classes themselves differ than what it is that the medical students, uh, are experiencing as they go through their process with the same instructors?

Allison: So, the classes are set up very similarly.

Of course, some of the topics are compressed.

Um, and, um, but I think the take home message is that the people who are attending Mini-— Mini Medical School are actually getting things that are coming straight out of our classes like Stu Cohen, or Charlie DeCarli, or Healthy Aging in a Digital World.

So... so those are all things that are touched base in our classes.

Um, you know, our medical students right now, many of them have been virtual, particularly in years one and two.

We're looking forward to having them all back on campus, we hope in the fall.

Uh, but you know, people who are doing medical-— Mini Medical School, it's virtual.

So, they're not getting too much different than our students are getting right now.

Scott: Interesting.

What does UC Davis itself gain from providing this experience to the community?

Allison: Well, one of the things that's really important to UC Davis is our relationship with the community.

We are here to improve health of the community, and whether that's by educating, providing testing, like we're doing, uh, with Healthy Davis Together, um, bringing cutting-edge research directly to our patients.

Um, it's all about a community engagement.

So, I like to think that we have four missions at the School of Medicine: education, research, clinical care, and providing those all three together as an integrated medical center.

But perhaps the fourth is most important.

It's the community.

Having the community as our partner in everything we do is so vitally important to both us and the community.

Scott: And what aspect of the program tends to be the most popular with the students that come through this program?

Allison: Well, I think they like to hear about aging.

Um, that's always a hot topic.

Um, I think that that's one of the things that everybody wants to know is what they... what they can do to prevent aging.

Um, I also think they want to know right now about COVID, that's a big thing.

And also, self-care has been a hot topic, um, that sense of wellbeing.

You know, COVID has really put a strain on everyone, healthcare providers, students, um, members of our community with that isolation.

And so, I think that was also a very interesting topic.

Scott: Hmm.

I...

I hear that you all are planning, uh, one of these Mini Medical Schools that are focused on the Vietnamese population.

Can you share with us a little bit about that?

Allison: Yes, it's tremendously exciting.

Um, some of the classes will be in Vietnamese and some will not.

Um, we think we'll have room for over 1,000 people, and this is just another way that we want to reach out to our community and provide them what they need, um, about learning about health.

Um, I'm, uh, I'm a neurologist and I really believe that when you are proactive about staying healthy, you are going to be so much better off as you age and go through many-— life'’s many changes, and that's what we want to provide.

We want to give people insights into how they keep them, their family, and their community healthy.

Scott: Hmm.

Are there any additional plans to do Mini Medical Schools that are focused on other cultural groups or other discreet communities, like the Vietnamese population?

Allison: Well, you know, we have a very diverse student body and in fact, our student body over the last about 10 years is almost 30%, uh, Latinx.

Uh, and I would imagine that we will get plans in place to do things similarly to the Vietnamese, uh, Medical Sch-— Mini Medical School.

Um, you know, it's really interesting because I think if we had said, "Hey, let's pivot and do Mini Medical School virtually" pre-COVID people would've said, "Oh no, they want to come and sit in a... in an auditorium."

But, you know, the success speaks for itself on the number of people.

Mini Medical School was always sold out for 19 years, sold out at 750, because that's the number of seats in the auditorium.

And now we can have up to 3,000 people join us.

So, I think we-— you will see a lot more innovation in our Mini Medical School Program.

And again, it's really designed to serve the community.

Uh, and that's what we want to do both with that and the pilot program, uh... uh, for the Vietnamese focused program.

Scott: One of the things I-— I've heard from your colleagues at the Medical School when they've joined us on the program in the past, is that the students really like to get out amongst the community.

Is there any overlap or... or, uh, en-— encounter in, you know, in the traditional sessions or even in these virtual sessions for the-— of the community to, uh, interact or meet any of the medical student population?

Allison: That's a great point.

And I'm going to take that idea back right now.

The... the, um, presentations don't have medical students, but you know, we do have a tremendous medical student body who are really committed to the underserved.

Over 50% of our students go into primary care and over 60% of our students actually take care of an underserved population.

So, the commitment to our medical students to really care for, um, the next generation they're... they're committed to keeping Northern California Healthy.

And almost, I think 96 to 98% of our students stay in California.

So, we'll see whether or not we can have some of our students participate in one of the future Mini Medical schools.

I'm sure they would absolutely love it.

So, Scott, I'll take that idea back.

Scott: All right.

Uh, where, and-— where can I and the rest of the public find out more if we're interested in participating?

Cause I know that we've got to get in there early, given the fact that it's always oversubscribed.

Allison: Well, you can go to the website and, uh, we'll put that below and then, um, uh, you can actually see the... the courses and they'll all be posted online, um, once the courses have all been given.

And then we do it twice a year.

So, we'll make sure to, uh, give you a heads up when there's the next time to register.

Scott: Hmm, uh, turning from the Mini Medical School, just wanted to go back to COVID-19 again and the pioneering work that the medical school has done, uh, on that issue.

Right now, we're... we're in a stage where, uh, the vaccine distribute-— or... or production is going up, distribution is still, uh, a bit lacking.

Uh, w-— w-— what... what are you all doing now at this moment in terms of this continuing rollout, and the fact that these variants are popping up?

Allison: Well, as I mentioned, we've participated in several of the Pfizer vaccine trials and others.

Uh, we've actually, um, vaccinated over 95% of our medical center population, including all of our residents and our medical students and we're really, really proud of that.

Um, we have set up vaccine clinics and they're, um, uh, kind of around key areas.

Um, in fact, we had a vaccine clinic, um, in the MIND Center, and we're looking to move that offsite so there's better parking.

It is really a supply chain issue, and so we are hoping that there'll be more because we are ready to give vaccine when it arrives.

We have been notifying our patients, those who are 65 and above, uh, and we're also notifying patients who have multiple other risk factors, uh, and bringing-— and putting them on a list and pushing out invitations through our, uh, UC Davis Health app.

Scott: And for those of us who are a bit confused by all of the information on vaccines, because there are so many different manufacturers and we hear so many different things about this one is 94% accurate, 75%, uh, accurate one dose, two dose... uh, w -—is there anything in general you can share with us about, uh, as we all as individuals move forward to get the vaccine?

Um, should we try to be discerning customers and ask for one over the other or what... any advice would be helpful?

Because, uh, I think many in the public are a bit confused.

Allison: So, I had a family member ask me that yesterday and here's the answer I gave get a vaccine.

And if it's a two shot, get both shots.

If it's the one shot, get the one shot.

And still wear your mask.

Still do social distancing and hand hygiene.

Um, this idea that you get a vaccine, and you don't have to wear a mask is-— there's no science behind that.

The science is vaccine, wear a mask, social distance, do hand hygiene, all of those things.

Um, there have been reports of people who were vaccinated, who still, uh, developed the virus.

And so, it is really a multi-pronged approach.

And that's what I highly recommend.

We are, um, suggesting that all of our, uh, faculty... students get tested once a week, whether they've been vaccinated or not.

And I just want to give a wonderful shout out to the UC Davis campus.

They stood up testing, asymptomatic testing at Davis, and they've been testing the community, they've been testing all of the students there, and they set up-— with cooperation with us-— they set up testing in Moore Hall and we're now providing testing, um, around multiple sites, uh, for asymptomatic testing.

So, continuing to test, wear a mask, social distance, hand hygiene, and get a vaccine.

When you're offered a vaccine, take it.

That's what my recommendation is.

Scott: Sounds like good advice.

I want to go back to, uh, something you said a little bit earlier about, um, the Medical School graduates that come out of your institution.

One of the things that, uh, has been reported on repeatedly on the past few years is that we're facing a physician shortage as the Baby Boom Generation, uh, retire-— retires out.

Do you have any thoughts, uh... uh, as the Dean of the Medical School on what we, as California should be doing to make sure that we've got the workforce that we need for California's healthcare future?

Allison: So, one of the things medical schools can do to improve health is to train a diverse workforce.

For example, the Latinx population in California is about 40%.

The number of physicians in California who ha-— identify as Latinx are 4%.

So, there's excellent data to show that when you have a provider that has a shared cultural background, that people are more likely to go to the doctor, they're more likely to take the advice, and they're more likely to follow that advice long-term.

I'm very proud that the School of Medicine has had for the last seven years, over 50% women graduate from medicine.

And I'm actually the third woman dean in a row in the School of Medicine.

I don't think there's any other school of medicine in the country that can say they've had three women deans, uh, in a row, and at the leadership of the School of Medicine.

So, the ways we can change and improve health is to get doctors out in the community.

One of the things that's really special about our students, and there are many things that are special about our students, is that they oftentimes return to the community where they grew up.

And many of our students come from, um, underserved areas.

And so, when we train them to be physicians, whether they are primary care or neurologists like me, if they go back to their community, then they are actually improving health in the community.

And that means there's more access to care where people live, and they don't have to travel so long to come.

It's interesting to note, people may not realize that the School of Medicine is one of the only academic medical centers in Northern California.

So, if you leave Sacramento and you drive north, the next school of medicine that you hit is in Oregon.

Scott: Wow.

Allison: So, we are really training all of those people who come from Northern California to UC Davis.

We're training them and we're sending them back into their communities oftentimes where they're providing help.

And they're also being role models for the next generation.

So, that that child who goes to that primary care physician and looks up and sees someone who looks like them, that means that child may go and see some-— they say, "You know, I think I could go to medical school because, you know, I want to be like my doctor."

And isn't that just heartwarming?

Because that's really what it's all about.

It's about the next generation.

Scott: Agreed.

I'm curious, you're talking about how much, um, UC Davis is out in the community.

How can the community support the Sch-— the Medical School?

Allison: Well, um, of course, in giving to the medical school is really important.

One of the things that is crucial is making sure that people can afford to go to medical school, so scholarships, and, you know, you can give a little money, uh, every bit helps to make sure that the students, um, don't have debt.

Many, med-— many doctors graduate from medical school with 2, 3, $400,000 in debt.

And oftentimes that means that they have to pick specialties that are, um, a little bit more, um, uh, higher salary.

And... and we want to make sure that our students can go into the specialties that they want to go into to pursue the career they want to.

And one of the ways we can do that is to make sure that they have very little debt.

So, medical scholarship-— school-— scholarships for the School of Medicines' students is crucial.

The other thing is, we have other programs, like we have a comprehensive cancer center.

We have an, a National Institute of Health sponsored Alzheimer's Disease Center.

We have a myriad of programs that people can support.

You can support programs in a couple of ways.

First of all, you can always give money, but the other way you can do that is you can volunteer to be in a trial.

Um, you can be what I call a normal, a normal control in a trial.

Um, I've been a normal control in a couple of different trials, and that's really wonderful.

So, we have trials for aging, trials for cancer, we have ways that people can engage in multiple, multiple ways.

So, if you have a family history, for example, um, you could be in a research study just because you had a family history.

Not that you need to have a particular disease to be in a research trial.

Scott: That's interesting because I think that the common assumption is that you... you had to be sick, uh, in order to participate in the trial at all.

And it sounds like you're saying something different than that.

Allison: Well, the vaccine trials are a great example.

You definitely don't have to be sick to be in those.

Um, and sometimes we have trials, um, where we're seeking normal controls, for example, healthy aging controls.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that we have a new Aging Clinic here, um, that is opening in Midtown where we have comprehensive care for the older adult.

And, um, that's where you get, really, care that's focused just on being an older adult.

And then if you want to be in a trial, you can volunteer to be a healthy control.

Or if you have problems you can volunteer to be in whatever, uh, disease, uh, that you may have.

But, you know, really the School of Medicine is here to serve the community, and having people participate in research is so crucial.

And the outpouring that we had about the vaccine trials was amazing.

Scott, we had almost 5,000 people sign up in one week to be in the Pfizer trial.

We put 230 patients in that trial, and we were one of the most diverse sites that they had.

But 5,000 people - that was incredible.

Scott: And w-— what did you learn, you and your colleagues learn from that experience that you didn't even know about your own capability, based on that achievement?

Allison: Well, I think we knew that if we put it things out, um, through programs like yours that people responded.

And we also learned that, um, the community was really engaged in really changing the narrative about COVID.

And so, we want to take that and change the narrative about Alzheimer's disease, neurologic disease, cancer.

Um, you know, we have a... a really, a nationally recognized cancer center with nationally recognized clinical trials for patients.

Um, but patients need to come here and seek out those trials and partner with the physician.

So, when you come here, uh, your physician knows about all those research opportunities and... and can put you in one of those trials and that's, um, that's oftentimes the way you get the most cutting-edge treatments is to be in a research trial.

I personally have run over 30 different research trials, myself as a neurologist.

And I know that when I had patients in research studies, I see them really often, I get to know them very well, and, um, they get excellent care when they're in a research trial.

And many times, all participation in those trials is... is covered by the trial, um, and it... it really is a wonderful way for a patient to get back to the community, but also to get a part of-— be part of the-— be part of the solution, really.

Scott: What-— you know, what you don't know that you don't know.

And I think we're going to have to leave it there.

Thank you, um, for all that you do and, uh, for all of your efforts out in the community.

Allison: Thank you so much, Scott.

Scott: And that's our show.

Thanks to our guest and thanks to you for watching Studio Sacramento.

I'm Scott Syphax, see you next time right here on KVIE.

♪♪ ♪♪ Scott Syphax: All episodes of Studio Sacramento, along with other KVIE programs, are available to watch online at kvie.org/video.

Annc: This Studio Sacramento episode is supported by UC Davis Health where doctors, nurses, and researchers share a passion for advancing health.

Learn more about their latest medical innovations at health.ucdavis.edu.