Ajay Sampat
Ajay Sampat, a gifted educator, Department of Neurology faculty member, colleague, and mentor, passed away on March 13 after a courageous battle with ALS.
Sampat joined UC Davis in 2018 as an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology, Division of Sleep Medicine, after completing medical school at the University of Chicago, residency at Northwestern, and a fellowship in sleep medicine at UCLA. He was promoted to associate professor in 2023.
His impact extended far beyond his clinical expertise. He was deeply committed to medical education, serving as a School of Medicine academic coach and associate clerkship director for the Neurology Clerkship. His ability to engage and inspire learners was unparalleled. He had a gift for distilling complex neurological concepts into clear and accessible lessons — a talent recognized by UC Davis Health neurology residents when they awarded him the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2019.
Even after his ALS diagnosis, Sampat’s dedication to teaching never wavered. He continued to lead clerkship sessions, deliver Grand Rounds presentations nationally and mentor learners with the same warmth, patience and brilliance that defined his career.
His innovative “Choose Your Own Adventure” teaching sessions and his insightful sessions on brain imaging were not just educational – they were transformative experiences. Sampat’s influence extended well beyond UC Davis. His national presence as an educator and mentor reflected his extraordinary ability to connect with learners and colleagues alike. He taught with humility and authenticity, sharing his personal experiences with the medical profession and elevating the art of “doctoring” nationwide.
The Department of Neurology hosted a celebration of life in May. To honor his remarkable legacy, the department established a scholarship to inspire future generations of medical students to become neurologists who are medical educators — reflecting his lifelong dedication to education and mentorship. The Sampat family shared that the establishment of this endowed fund provided him great comfort during his ALS journey. Donations can be made to the Ajay Sampat, M.D. Endowed Neurology Scholars Award at give.ucdavis.edu/MNEU/125227?appeal=19516.
Excerpted from UC Davis School of Medicine memorial announcements.
Walt Trudeau, Jr.
Walt Trudeau, Jr., passed away November 11, 2024 at age 93. Arrangements were under the care and direction of Mount Vernon Memorial Park.
UC Davis Gastroenterology and Hepatology held a memorial for Trudeau in April, remembering him on social media as “a beloved colleague and mentor to generations of gastroenterologists in Sacramento and beyond. His impact on us simply cannot be measured. We will miss him dearly.”
The Walter Trudeau Excellence In Teaching Award is given for appreciation for a job well done and in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Excerpted from social media and Dignity Memorial website.
