After more than 24 years of advancing health equity and belonging, Dr. Hendry Ton, associate vice chancellor for Health Equity by Design for Inclusive Excellence (HEDI) will retire on Oct. 1. Through his leadership within the broader division, UC Davis Inclusive Excellence, health equity became more deeply embedded in the institution’s culture, programs and partnerships, creating a foundation that will continue to shape work for years to come.  

When Avenue M student Jessica de Laguna opened her MCAT score, years of work suddenly felt uncertain. After returning to school in her 30s and completing demanding science coursework, she had fallen short of the score she hoped for.

"I got a 490," she recalled. "So I have to retake it again."

For a student who had spent years battling imposter syndrome, it would have been easy to see the score as the end of the road. Instead, someone at UC Davis saw something else.

The UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities recently launched the Cultura for Resilience website, a new online hub highlighting resources, trainings, and project history connected to the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP). Since 2016, the center has served as a Technical Assistance Provider for seven Latino community-based organizations implementing Community Defined Evidence Practices (CDEPs) aimed at reducing mental health disparities in Latino communities across California.

UC Davis Center for Reducing Health Disparities Director, Dr. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola collaborated with Dr. Lloyd Michener, and Dr. Pierluigi Mancini toco-author Chapter 23: Innovative Models for Mental Health Equity of the recently published Mental Health Equity book now available.

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On a sunny fall afternoon, the Activities and Recreation Center ballroom buzzed with music, laughter and conversation. A giant balloon arch adorned the entrance and dancers cheered on the more than 100 guests who arrived to celebrate the culmination of the 35th anniversary of the UC Davis Principles of Community.

The Center for Reducing Health Disparities (CRHD), together with its collaborators, proudly co-hosted the 15th Annual Spanish Mini Medical School (SMMS) on Saturday, October 4. What began as a modest community gathering has grown into a beloved tradition — this year’s milestone “quinceañera” edition lived up to the magic.

When the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep gaps in access to reliable health information and care, researchers and community leaders across the country moved to build better connections.

At UC Davis, we believe in cultivating an environment where faculty can thrive as researchers, mentors, and innovators. Our programs and actions are driven by a shared commitment to expanding knowledge and discovering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Internal medicine physician Debby Lee has received the 2025 Dr. Ifeanyi Onyeji Resident/Fellow Inclusive Excellence and Equity Award for her leadership in advancing health equity at UC Davis Health. Lee, the daughter of Hmong refugees, has centered her career on addressing health disparities and building trust with immigrant and underserved communities.

This spring, the Office of Student and Resident Diversity (OSRD) and campus partners participated in a series of impactful events aimed at supporting aspiring healthcare professionals at every stage of their journey.