UC Davis Health Recognized as Top Lung Cancer Care Provider

Cancer center earns national designation as a GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:14am

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UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has been recognized as a GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence, highlighting its strong commitment to high-quality, patient-centered lung cancer care for the region. The designation recognizes the cancer center for following evidence-based screening guidelines, providing coordinated follow-up care, and supporting patients through every step of the screening and treatment process.

Why it matters

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., often due to late detection. This national designation for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center showcases its efforts to improve early detection through low-dose CT screening and provide comprehensive, coordinated care for patients.

The details

The GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence designation recognizes UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center's commitment to responsible screening practices, multidisciplinary care coordination, and patient-centered communication. The cancer center screens over half of its eligible patients and also earned additional recognition from GO2 for excellence in cancer care, incidental pulmonary nodule management, and biomarker testing and precision medicine.

  • UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center was recognized as a GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence in 2026.

The players

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that provides advanced cancer care and research.

GO2 for Lung Cancer

A patient-founded organization focused on increasing lung cancer survival through early detection, treatment, and care.

David Tom Cooke

Physician-in-Chief of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and founding chief of the Division of General Thoracic Surgery.

Joelle Fathi

Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer at GO2 for Lung Cancer.

Heather Leisy

Works in population health and accountable care at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Jonathan Riess

Leads the Lung Cancer Integrated Service Line at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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What they’re saying

“We are proud to have UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center join the community of GO2 for Lung Cancer Centers of Excellence that is national in scope and local in impact.”

— Joelle Fathi, Chief Healthcare Delivery Officer, GO2 for Lung Cancer (Mirage News)

“UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality care. Low-dose CT screening is currently the only proven method to detect lung cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage. We are thrilled to be part of this elite group, setting an example for responsible screening practices across the country.”

— David Tom Cooke, Physician-in-Chief, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (Mirage News)

What’s next

The cancer center plans to continue expanding its lung cancer screening program and sharing best practices with other healthcare providers to improve early detection and treatment outcomes nationwide.

The takeaway

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center's recognition as a GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence underscores its commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care and leveraging low-dose CT screening to catch lung cancer early, when it is most treatable. This designation positions the cancer center as a leader in responsible, evidence-based lung cancer screening and care.