UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center Program

The UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine offers a distinguished Internal Medicine Residency Program that aims to cultivate a diverse and compassionate community of physicians. The program emphasizes the twin pillars of scientific inquiry and humanistic care, striving to make a significant impact on both patients and communities.

Program Overview

The Internal Medicine Residency Training Program at UCLA is designed to provide rigorous clinical training with a strong emphasis on academic medicine. Residents receive comprehensive training that prepares them for a variety of career paths, including primary care, subspecialty practice, and academic medicine.

Clinical Training Sites

UCLA’s residency program utilizes four diverse hospitals: the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, and the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. This variety allows residents to gain broad clinical experiences in both inpatient and outpatient settings while dealing with a wide spectrum of patients, varying in socioeconomic status and health complexities.

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

Situated in Westwood, this facility is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the United States, serving as a tertiary care center and primarily hosting inpatient rotations for residents.

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

This community hospital features a 266-bed capacity and is known for its diverse patient population, offering residents valuable experience in caring for patients from different backgrounds.

West Los Angeles VA Medical Center

This location is a significant referral center within the VA system, providing critical care to veterans, thereby enriching the residency training experience.

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Olive View serves as a teaching county hospital, emphasizing underserved populations and resource-limited care, which is an important aspect of the residency training.

Application Process

The application for UCLA's Internal Medicine Residency Program requires submission through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) and the ERAS application system. The selection process is holistic, weighing academic performance along with letters of recommendation, community engagement, and personal characteristics.

Special Application Requirements

International medical graduates must hold a valid ECFMG certificate and may be eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship. The program is supportive of offering H-1B visa opportunities to exceptional candidates as well.

Highly Competitive Application

UCLA's Internal Medicine Residency Program is considered highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of applications, which includes allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical graduates as well as international medical graduates (IMGs).

Scholarship and Research Opportunities

The program emphasizes mentorship and career opportunities, including access to research environments through various pathways such as the STAR Program for physician-scientist training. Residents are encouraged to engage in research activities, presenting findings at conferences and participating in scholarly discussions.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The UCLA Internal Medicine Residency Program values equity, diversity, and inclusion as essential to its mission. The program’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion works towards creating an inclusive environment for residents, faculty, and staff. It aims to address and understand the complexities surrounding health disparities and strives for better community health outcomes.

Social and Educational Environment

UCLA fosters a supportive and engaging social environment for residents, incorporating activities and community events that enhance cohesion amongst the diverse resident body, promoting relationships and a sense of belonging within the program.

Living in Los Angeles

Living in Los Angeles provides residents with a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle filled with cultural, recreational, and gastronomical opportunities. The city’s rich diversity is mirrored within the residency program itself, further enhancing the training experience.