Medicine in our Backyard 2024-25

Treating Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers

Janellen Smith, MD
Professor — Department of Dermatology
Dermatologist and Skin Cancer Specialist, UCI Health

Jessica Shiu, MD
Assistant Professor — Department of Dermatology
Dermatologist, UCI Health

Monday, May 19, 2025, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

Those of us who live in Southern California know that the sun can be our foe as well as our friend. The good news, however, is that most skin cancers — including melanoma — are easily treatable if caught early. Drs. Smith and Shiu will discuss the latest technologies for diagnosing and treating skin cancer with a focus on melanoma.

Seeing Clearly – What You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery

Soroosh Behshad, MD
Associate Professor — Department of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologist, UCI Health

Monday, September 23, 2024, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

Things looking a little cloudy? Cataract surgery may be what you need to clear things up! According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 6.1 million Americans have had cataract surgery. Dr. Soroosh Behshad from the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute will present what you need to know about cataract surgery and its outcomes.

Understanding Osteoarthritis and Its Treatment Options

Ryan DiGiovanni, MD
Assistant Professor — Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgeon, UCI Health

Monday, October 28, 2024, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

About 13 percent of women and 10 percent of men ages 60 or older have knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, cartilage — the connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber within the joint — gradually wears down with age, inflammation or other factors. Dr. DiGiovanni will present the most up to date treatment options for treating knee osteoarthritis.

Understanding Headaches: Identifying Triggers and Mastering Relief Strategies

Crystal Jicha, MD
Assistant Professor – Department of Neurology
Neurologist, UCI Health

Monday, November 18, 2024, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

Headaches can really ruin your day. But what if the headache you are experiencing becomes more bothersome? Find out when Dr. Crystal Jicha, UCI Health board-certified neurologist and headache specialist, joins us to discuss headaches, their triggers and how to manage them, as well as how to discuss your symptoms with your doctor when they become too much to handle.

Integrative Health, Nutrition, Food Allergies and You!

Kiran Sachdev, MD
Associate Professor — Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Gastroenterologist, UCI Health

Monday, January 27, 2025, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

Looking for a more holistic approach to nutrition? Dr. Kiran Sachdev, a board-certified UCI Health gastroenterologist with the Chao Digestive Health Institute and director of integrative GI at the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, will provide an overview of recent advancements in integrative health and nutrition, including a discussion of food allergies.

Managing Cardiovascular Disease

Irmina Gradus-Pizlo, MD
Professor — Mary & Steve Wen Cardiovascular Division
Cardiologist, UCI Health

Monday, February 24, 2025, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

High blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. What can you do? Dr. Gradus-Pizlo will discuss risk factors, treatments and lifestyle changes to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol.

When Does Colon Cancer Spreads to the Liver?

Zeljka Jutric, MD
Assistant Professor — Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery and Islet Cell Transplantation
Surgical Oncologist, UCI Health

Monday, March 24, 2025, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers worldwide. Many colorectal cancers are likely to spread to other organs, with the most common site of metastases being the liver. Dr. Zeljka Jutric, a board-certified UCI Health surgical oncologist with the Chao Digestive Health Institute, will review these metastases and the recent advancements in treating them.

Managing Memory Loss

Brian Hitt, MD
Assistant Professor — Department of Neurology
Behavioral Neurologist, UCI Health

Monday, April 28, 2025, 7:00pm || Doors open at 6:30pm

It is normal to have some forgetfulness, but normal aging does not lead to significant memory loss. Dr. Hitt joins us to explore different types of memory disorders, what causes them and how to manage them.