Taylor Nichols, MD

Physician

Dr. Taylor Nichols is a board-certified physician in both Emergency Medicine and Addiction Medicine—a rare dual specialization that brings unique crisis management expertise to addiction treatment. He serves as a physician at Yellow Wood Recovery and Medical Director at Transitions Clinic of Sacramento, while also holding an appointment as Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor at UC Davis Medical Center. A nationally recognized voice in health policy and patient advocacy, Dr. Nichols has been honored with the Policy Pioneer Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians for his work expanding access to addiction treatment.

Doctor of Medicine (MD), UC Davis School of Medicine
Bachelor of Science in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences, University of Michigan
Emergency Medicine Residency, UCSF-San Francisco General Hospital
Health Policy and Advocacy Fellowship, UC Davis Medical Center
Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM)
Board Certified in Preventive Medicine, American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)
Currently pursuing Master’s in Health Policy and Law (UCSF/UC Law SF)

Physician, Yellow Wood Recovery, Rancho Cordova, CA (Present)
Medical Director, Transitions Clinic of Sacramento (Present)
Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Davis Medical Center (Present)
Emergency Department Physician

Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor, UC Davis Medical Center
Mentors medical students and residents in emergency medicine and addiction treatment
Graduate student in Health Policy and Law, UCSF/UC Law SF
Contributor to evidence-informed policy development in addiction medicine

Policy Pioneer Award, American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
Humanism Award, Young Physician Section, American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Emergency medical evaluation and acute stabilization
Addiction medicine treatment and recovery support
Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
Medically supervised detoxification and withdrawal management
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Crisis intervention and harm reduction strategies
Treatment of justice-involved and reentry populations

Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment
Reducing stigma and barriers to addiction treatment
Improving emergency department responses to substance use crises
Advancing evidence-based policy at state and federal levels
Supporting reentry populations and justice-involved individuals

American College of Emergency Physicians
American Academy of Emergency Medicine
American Board of Preventive Medicine
UC Davis Medical Center Faculty

Treatment Philosophy

Dr. Nichols brings a holistic, patient-centered approach to addiction medicine, drawing on his dual training in emergency medicine and addiction treatment. He understands the acute crises that often accompany substance use disorders and provides compassionate, evidence-based care that addresses both immediate needs and long-term recovery goals. His experience working with justice-involved populations through Transitions Clinic informs his understanding of the complex social, medical, and systemic factors that influence recovery outcomes.

Taylor Nichols, MD

Physician

Treatment Philosophy

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