UC Davis Health has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to open a cloud innovation center with a focus on digital health equity and accessibility, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from California, the District of Columbia, and Minnesota.

• California: UC Davis Health on Monday announced the opening of its cloud innovation center through a partnership with Amazon Web Services. The center will work with clinicians, patients, and members of the community to garner project ideas with a focus on digital health equity and accessibility. "Digital health equity has become a front-and-center issue, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic," said UC Davis Health CEO David Lubarsky. "Many of our underserved communities have struggled even more to receive the care they need, and the digital divide has only widened." To allow others to build on the center's work, UC Davis Health said they will make the project's findings publicly available. Along with AWS, the center will work to identify any issues that can be addressed using cloud technology. (Cohen, Modern Healthcare, 11/29)

• District of Columbia: The Biden administration on Thursday extended the masking requirement for passengers on domestic flights, trains, and public transportation through mid-March. This extension is part of the administration's effort to combat the spread of Covid-19 this winter. A White House fact sheet said the Transportation Security Administration plans to extend mask requirements through at least March 18. Any individuals who violate the mask mandate will be faced with at least a $500 fine—and repeat offenders could be fined up to $3,000. (Chalfant, The Hill, 12/2)

• Minnesota: Mayo Clinic last week named Lisa Archer as CNO for the health system's Southwest Wisconsin region. Archer previously served as patient care director for the Mother Baby Center at United Hospital and Children's Minnesota. She succeeds Jason Fratzke, who left the role in April to serve as the medical system's vice chair of nursing. "We are very excited to welcome Lisa to the executive leadership team," said Paul Mueller, Mayo Clinic's Southwest Wisconsin regional VP. "Her thoughtful leadership and dedication to patient care will be a tremendous asset to the nursing practice." (Jensik, Becker's Hospital Review, 11/29)