Dr. Faustino 'Tino' Bernadett Honors His Father's Legacy at UC Davis
Updated: 1 day ago
On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Faustino Bernadett opened the evening with a speech at the Inaugural Faustino Bernadett, MD, Sr. Memorial Lecture, a UC Davis event hosted by UC Davis Health’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. honoring the life, work, and enduring legacy of his father, Dr. Faustino Bernadett, Sr., M.D. The occasion brought his father’s story back to a university that had been an important part of Dr. Faustino Bernadett, Sr.’s professional life as a physician, educator, and mentor. Martha Bernadett, wife of Faustino Bernadett, helped establish the lecture by co-funding its endowment. Following the opening remarks, Dr. Renee Crichlow, MD ’98, FAAFP, presented the featured lecture, “Primary Care for All Americans.”
The lectureship gave Dr. Bernadett an opportunity to share his father’s story with students, physicians, educators, and members of the medical community. Through a personal presentation, he reflected on the experiences, values, and accomplishments that shaped his father’s life and continue to influence his own.
A Personal Look at a Physician’s Legacy
A central part of the lectureship was a narrated multimedia presentation created and presented by Dr. Faustino Bernadett. Combining photographs and his own narration, the presentation offered a personal look at Dr. Faustino Bernadett, Sr. and the life he dedicated to medicine and service.
Rather than simply recounting his father’s professional accomplishments, Dr. Bernadett used the presentation to tell the larger story of who his father was and the principles that guided him. The photographs and personal reflections provided a glimpse into his father’s work, commitment to his patients, and dedication to teaching and helping others.
The presentation also helped preserve his father’s memory for those who may not have had the opportunity to know him personally, connecting his past with the medical community of today.
Remembering Dr. Faustino Bernadett, Sr., M.D.
The son of immigrant parents from Chihuahua, Mexico, Dr. Bernadett, Sr. spent his early years in Michigan before eventually establishing his medical practice in Chico, California. He became the region’s sole Spanish-speaking family physician, providing care to patients in his community while also dedicating time to medical missions and underserved populations.
His commitment to service extended beyond his local practice. Dr. Bernadett, Sr. traveled to Vietnam and underserved communities in Mexico to provide medical care to people with limited access to physicians.
His dedication to education was equally significant. For many years, Dr. Faustino Bernadett, Sr. mentored family medicine residents and students at UC Davis. He would fly to campus while continuing to manage a busy medical practice and family responsibilities, making medical education an important part of his professional life.
A Lasting Connection to UC Davis
Dr. Faustino Bernadett, Sr.’s relationship with UC Davis makes the lectureship particularly meaningful. His involvement with the university was part of his commitment to teaching and preparing future physicians.
Tragically, Dr. Bernadett, Sr.’s life was cut short in a plane crash while returning home from one of his teaching commitments. His death had a profound impact on his family, including his son, Faustino, and on the communities he had served.
More than a connection to his father’s past, the lectureship allowed Faustino Bernadett to bring that legacy to a new generation of students and healthcare professionals, highlighting the continued importance of mentorship, education, and service in medicine.
Clínica Tepati and a Commitment to Community
Dr. Bernadett, Sr.’s dedication to underserved communities is also reflected in Clínica Tepati, a student-run medical clinic affiliated with UC Davis. Operating primarily on Saturdays, the clinic provides free primary care and social services to underserved Latinx patients in Sacramento and surrounding areas.
Recognized as an early founder, Dr. Bernadett, Sr. helped establish the foundation for a clinic centered on service and education. Its work reflects many of the same principles that guided his career: expanding access to care while providing students with opportunities to serve and learn.
In honor of his father, Faustino Bernadett, and his wife, Martha, established the Faustino Bernadett, Sr., M.D. Scholarship Fund at Clínica Tepati. The scholarship supports medical and undergraduate students who demonstrate leadership and dedication to underserved communities.
“My greatest inspiration was my father,” Tino has written.
Continuing a Legacy Through Education
The October 1 lectureship, the Faustino Bernadett, Sr. M.D. Scholarship Fund, and the continued work of Clínica Tepati each carry forward a legacy built around service, mentorship, education, and compassionate care.
Although Dr. Bernadett, Sr.’s life ended unexpectedly, his influence continues through the people he mentored, the communities he served, the students he inspired, and the family members who continue to share his story.
The UC Davis lectureship honored not only the life of a dedicated physician and educator, but also the lasting impact of a legacy that continues through education, service, and the next generation of healthcare professionals.
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