UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center Program

Los Angeles, CA

Specialty:Surgery

ACGME Code:4400521042

NRMP Code:1956440C0, 1956440P0

Status:Continued Accreditation

Overview

The UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center Program in Surgery is designed to cultivate a new generation of surgical leaders. The program emphasizes a rigorous and comprehensive educational experience that integrates clinical training, research, community service, and innovation. Located in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, the program draws upon the diverse patient population and unique health challenges this environment provides.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum of the program is structured to ensure residents develop the essential skills and knowledge necessary for proficient surgical practice. The training spans multiple years and is designed to progressively enhance competencies through a mix of didactic sessions, hands-on surgical practice, and immersive clinical rotations.

The foundational years focus on general surgical principles and techniques, complemented by rotations in specialized areas such as trauma, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, and surgical oncology. The latter years are dedicated to advanced surgical techniques and leadership training, including opportunities in minimally invasive and robotic surgery. As residents progress, they assume greater responsibilities in managing patient care and supervising junior colleagues.

Rotations

Residents of the program experience a breadth of clinical exposure through diverse rotation sites, including:

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center: A leading academic institution known for its cutting-edge facilities and research initiatives.
Olive View-UCLA Medical Center: A community hospital that serves a large, diverse patient population, providing unique insights into public health issues.
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center: Offers a focus on surgical care for veterans, integrating care for service-related conditions.

Research Opportunities

Research is a cornerstone of the program's philosophy, encouraging residents to engage in scientific inquiry actively. The program facilitates this through numerous opportunities, including collaboration with established faculty in various research themes ranging from clinical trials to translational research. Residents are encouraged to publish their findings and present at national conferences, enhancing their academic profiles.

Unique Aspects of the Program

One of the distinctive features of the UCLA Surgery Residency Program is its commitment to social justice and community engagement. The program incorporates education and training in health disparities into its curriculum, preparing residents to address the diverse needs of the communities they serve.

Moreover, the program boasts an innovative simulation center, allowing residents to practice and refine their surgical skills in a risk-free environment before performing procedures on patients.

Visa Support and Competitiveness

The program sponsors J-1 visas for international medical graduates, thus supporting a diverse cohort of residents. This inclusivity extends to its application process, which actively welcomes graduates from DO and IMG backgrounds, reflecting the program's commitment to a diverse and equitable training environment.

Competition for residency positions is notably high due to the program’s exceptional reputation and its association with one of the top medical schools in the United States. Applicants are encouraged to prepare thoroughly and demonstrate both academic excellence and a passion for surgical practice.

Application Requirements

To apply for this residency, candidates must generally satisfy several prerequisites, including:

Having graduated from medical school within a specified number of years prior to application.
Meeting minimum score requirements on STEP exams, with considerations made for the number of attempts.
Demonstrating a commitment to surgery through relevant clinical experiences and letters of recommendation.

Conclusion

The UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center Program in Surgery offers an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring surgeons. Its rigorous curriculum, emphasis on research, and commitment to community engagement provide a holistic training experience that prepares residents for any challenges they may face in their future careers.

Web sources

1. UCLA Medical School 2. UCLA Medical School - Culture, Mission, History 3. UCLA Medical School - Mission & Vision 4. UCLA Medical School - Strategic Plan 5. UCLA Medical School - Why Choose UCLA 6. UCLA Medical School - Leadership 7. UCLA Medical School - Academic Leaders 8. UCLA Medical School - Research Leadership 9. UCLA Medical School - Services & Affiliates

SmartPick

Program data

ACGME History ^[3]

Accreditation Last updated: Jul 16, 2026

Initial accreditation0

Full accreditation0

Continued25

Warning0

Probationary Accreditation2

Withdrawal0

#	Academic Year	Status	Effective Date
01	2000 - 2001	Continued Full Accreditation	Feb 24, 2000
02	2001 - 2002	Continued Full Accreditation	Feb 24, 2000
03	2002 - 2003	Continued Full Accreditation	Feb 24, 2000
04	2003 - 2004	Continued Full Accreditation	Feb 24, 2000
05	2004 - 2005	Continued Full Accreditation	Feb 24, 2000
06	2005 - 2006	Probation	Oct 27, 2005
07	2006 - 2007	Probation	Oct 27, 2005
08	2007 - 2008	Continued	Jun 28, 2007
09	2008 - 2009	Continued	Jun 28, 2007
10	2009 - 2010	Continued	Jun 28, 2007

Program

Program Size

20, 8, 8, 8, 8 (5 years)^[1]

Accreditation Status

Continued Accreditation

(Effective: January 15, 2026)

Composition ^[2]

MD · 97%

Non-U.S. IMG · 3%

Training

Fellowship Rate:100%^[2]

Faculty-to-Residents Ratio:3.6X^[1]

Residents Career Path ^[2]

Fellowship · 100%

Quality of Life

First Year Paid Sick Leave: 12 days^[1]

First Year Paid Vacation: 28 days^[1]

First Year Salary: $89,261^[1]

First Year Maximum Consecutive Hours on Duty: 28 hours ^[1]

First Year Average Weekly Hours: 70 hours^[1]

Admission

USMLE Step 2 Score: --

Visa Sponsorship:H1B, J1, F1^[2]

YOG Cutoff:--

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Incoming Schools

15%

University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Incoming Schools % Tree Map

Rotation Duration by Site

Rotation Duration Chart Data

Benchmarks

Match & stats

2026 Residency Applicant & Interview Insights

No data available for USMLE STEP 2 CK Score

No 2026 Applicant & Interview Insights available for this program.

Note: The AIR (Applicant Interview Rate) is calculated as the percentage of applicants in each category who were offered interviews. A higher AIR suggests stronger alignment with program preferences, indicating a greater likelihood of the program favoring applicants in this category.

USMLE STEP 2 CK Score ^[2]

No data available for USMLE
STEP 2 CK Score

COMLEX Level 2 Score ^[2]

No data available for COMLEX
Level 2 Score

Match History ^[4]

Track ID: 1956440C0

2021

7 of 7

2022

7 of 7

2023

7 of 7

2024

7 of 7

2025

8 of 8

2026

8 of 8

Track ID: 1956440P0

2021

0 of 3

2022

2 of 3

2023

1 of 4

2024

0 of 4

2025

1 of 4

2026

2 of 4

Filled Position

Unfilled Position

Roster

Publications

38 Publications (5 yr)

Peer-reviewed output from faculty and residents, last 5 years

38 Publications (5 yr)

Intestinal Failure (New York, N.Y.)2026

Utilization of Paragonix LIVERguard® donor organ transport system for static hypothermic preservation of a multivisceral allograft.

Carolyn Smullin,¹Caitlin Thornley,²Valeria Ripa,²Brandon Pearson,²

PMID: 42371559doi.org/10.1016/j.intf.2026.100362

Annals of surgery open : perspectives of surgical history, education, and clinical approaches2026

The Principles of Inclusive Excellence are Important to the Surgeon's Mission.

Juan Carlos Jimenez,¹Vincent L Rowe,¹David McIntosh,²Oscar Joe Hines,³

PMID: 42344450doi.org/10.1097/AS9.0000000000000662

Location

Los Angeles, CA ^[5]

Population

10,014,009

Median income

$77,719On par

Education

36.2%Above

Employment

60.6%Below

Health

7.9%Above

Age

38On par

Above the national average
Below the national average
Similar to the national average

Housing — Rental prices ^[6]

Rental prices

Typical Observed Market Rent Index - ZORI Over Time

Date

Region - Los Angeles, CA

State - California

United States

1/31/2015

$1,753

$1,615

$1,193

2/28/2015

$1,762

$1,623

$1,199

3/31/2015

$1,774

$1,658

$1,206

4/30/2015

$1,785

$1,678

$1,213

5/31/2015

$1,800

$1,736

$1,228

6/30/2015

$1,810

$1,750

$1,233

7/31/2015

$1,822

$1,737

$1,235

8/31/2015

$1,832

$1,758

$1,241

9/30/2015

$1,851

$1,775

$1,245

10/31/2015

$1,863

$1,780

$1,253

11/30/2015

$1,875

$1,792

$1,259

12/31/2015

$1,884

$1,793

$1,263

1/31/2016

$1,897

$1,827

$1,275

2/29/2016

$1,912

$1,834

$1,279

3/31/2016

$1,922

$1,835

$1,282

4/30/2016

$1,931

$1,833

$1,285

5/31/2016

$1,942

$1,876

$1,291

6/30/2016

$1,956

$1,885

$1,294

7/31/2016

$1,967

$1,884

$1,295

8/31/2016

$1,969

$1,904

$1,303

9/30/2016

$1,972

$1,910

$1,307

10/31/2016

$1,981

$1,916

$1,311

11/30/2016

$1,989

$1,923

$1,312

12/31/2016

$2,000

$1,928

$1,313

1/31/2017

$2,013

$1,940

$1,317

2/28/2017

$2,025

$1,955

$1,324

3/31/2017

$2,045

$1,980

$1,335

4/30/2017

$2,054

$1,989

$1,346

5/31/2017

$2,063

$1,997

$1,353

6/30/2017

$2,068

$2,009

$1,357

7/31/2017

$2,077

$2,010

$1,359

8/31/2017

$2,088

$2,010

$1,363

9/30/2017

$2,095

$2,023

$1,406

10/31/2017

$2,104

$2,031

$1,414

11/30/2017

$2,116

$2,033

$1,413

12/31/2017

$2,127

$2,051

$1,420

1/31/2018

$2,138

$2,058

$1,422

2/28/2018

$2,150

$2,070

$1,427

3/31/2018

$2,153

$2,070

$1,429

4/30/2018

$2,158

$2,078

$1,434

5/31/2018

$2,160

$2,083

$1,438

6/30/2018

$2,172

$2,091

$1,444

7/31/2018

$2,182

$2,099

$1,449

8/31/2018

$2,195

$2,106

$1,455

9/30/2018

$2,203

$2,113

$1,461

10/31/2018

$2,212

$2,119

$1,465

11/30/2018

$2,222

$2,134

$1,473

12/31/2018

$2,231

$2,159

$1,482

1/31/2019

$2,236

$2,170

$1,492

2/28/2019

$2,235

$2,173

$1,495

3/31/2019

$2,241

$2,197

$1,503

4/30/2019

$2,252

$2,209

$1,509

5/31/2019

$2,264

$2,215

$1,514

6/30/2019

$2,269

$2,223

$1,519

7/31/2019

$2,274

$2,235

$1,526

8/31/2019

$2,278

$2,242

$1,531

9/30/2019

$2,286

$2,249

$1,534

10/31/2019

$2,291

$2,256

$1,541

11/30/2019

$2,295

$2,257

$1,545

12/31/2019

$2,298

$2,263

$1,552

1/31/2020

$2,304

$2,275

$1,560

2/29/2020

$2,313

$2,281

$1,565

3/31/2020

$2,307

$2,284

$1,565

4/30/2020

$2,297

$2,291

$1,566

5/31/2020

$2,282

$2,279

$1,563

6/30/2020

$2,269

$2,275

$1,562

7/31/2020

$2,260

$2,277

$1,571

8/31/2020

$2,247

$2,282

$1,574

9/30/2020

$2,235

$2,295

$1,586

10/31/2020

$2,229

$2,304

$1,593

11/30/2020

$2,230

$2,316

$1,602

12/31/2020

$2,230

$2,327

$1,606

1/31/2021

$2,236

$2,336

$1,613

2/28/2021

$2,239

$2,348

$1,620

3/31/2021

$2,247

$2,351

$1,629

4/30/2021

$2,255

$2,368

$1,649

5/31/2021

$2,272

$2,393

$1,663

6/30/2021

$2,298

$2,417

$1,686

7/31/2021

$2,328

$2,446

$1,707

8/31/2021

$2,366

$2,479

$1,729

9/30/2021

$2,398

$2,511

$1,752

10/31/2021

$2,428

$2,525

$1,767

11/30/2021

$2,450

$2,551

$1,777

12/31/2021

$2,477

$2,557

$1,791

1/31/2022

$2,499

$2,579

$1,800

2/28/2022

$2,521

$2,600

$1,820

3/31/2022

$2,536

$2,623

$1,829

4/30/2022

$2,558

$2,641

$1,841

5/31/2022

$2,578

$2,651

$1,852

6/30/2022

$2,597

$2,662

$1,861

7/31/2022

$2,610

$2,665

$1,868

8/31/2022

$2,617

$2,669

$1,872

9/30/2022

$2,626

$2,670

$1,875

10/31/2022

$2,630

$2,676

$1,873

11/30/2022

$2,637

$2,682

$1,875

12/31/2022

$2,640

$2,684

$1,874

1/31/2023

$2,640

$2,672

$1,877

2/28/2023

$2,641

$2,665

$1,879

3/31/2023

$2,647

$2,663

$1,884

4/30/2023

$2,656

$2,676

$1,886

5/31/2023

$2,658

$2,666

$1,886

6/30/2023

$2,653

$2,666

$1,886

7/31/2023

$2,649

$2,680

$1,891

8/31/2023

$2,649

$2,683

$1,908

9/30/2023

$2,650

$2,688

$1,912

10/31/2023

$2,652

$2,697

$1,916

11/30/2023

$2,650

$2,696

$1,918

12/31/2023

$2,649

$2,705

$1,921

1/31/2024

$2,650

$2,703

$1,928

2/29/2024

$2,652

$2,707

$1,932

3/31/2024

$2,654

$2,712

$1,935

4/30/2024

$2,664

$2,722

$1,942

5/31/2024

$2,673

$2,731

$1,946

6/30/2024

$2,682

$2,741

$1,973

7/31/2024

$2,687

$2,745

$1,958

8/31/2024

$2,691

$2,752

$1,992

9/30/2024

$2,695

$2,763

$1,993

10/31/2024

$2,698

$2,762

$1,995

11/30/2024

$2,704

$2,767

$1,999

12/31/2024

$2,709

$2,770

$2,003

1/31/2025

$2,726

$2,805

$2,006

2/28/2025

$2,739

$2,820

$2,007

3/31/2025

$2,745

$2,836

$2,016

4/30/2025

$2,742

$2,846

$2,019

5/31/2025

$2,742

$2,849

$2,022

6/30/2025

$2,744

$2,849

$2,026

7/31/2025

$2,749

$2,854

$2,029

8/31/2025

$2,753

$2,862

$2,027

9/30/2025

$2,756

$2,834

$2,030

10/31/2025

$2,759

$2,894

$2,052

11/30/2025

$2,760

$2,907

$2,095

12/31/2025

$2,760

$2,907

$2,086

1/31/2026

$2,750

$2,925

$2,160

2/28/2026

$2,742

$2,926

$2,178

Crime — All violent offences ^[7]

Rate per 100,000 residents

Rate per 100,000 people Over Time

Date

Region - Los Angeles, CA

State - California

United States

4/1/2021

5/1/2021

6/1/2021

7/1/2021

8/1/2021

9/1/2021

10/1/2021

11/1/2021

12/1/2021

1/1/2022

2/1/2022

3/1/2022

106

4/1/2022

103

5/1/2022

109

6/1/2022

109

7/1/2022

113

8/1/2022

113

9/1/2022

109

10/1/2022

107

11/1/2022

12/1/2022

104

1/1/2023

108

2/1/2023

3/1/2023

101

4/1/2023

104

5/1/2023

112

6/1/2023

108

7/1/2023

116

8/1/2023

113

9/1/2023

109

10/1/2023

117

11/1/2023

12/1/2023

104

1/1/2024

2/1/2024

3/1/2024

100

4/1/2024

101

5/1/2024

106

6/1/2024

106

7/1/2024

109

8/1/2024

106

9/1/2024

104

10/1/2024

102

11/1/2024

12/1/2024

1/1/2025

2/1/2025

3/1/2025

4/1/2025

5/1/2025

6/1/2025

7/1/2025

100

8/1/2025

9/1/2025

10/1/2025

11/1/2025

12/1/2025

1/1/2026

2/1/2026

3/1/2026

Living in Los Angeles, CA

Crime rate and safety

Los Angeles has a moderate crime rate with certain neighborhoods having higher crime rates than others. It's recommended to research and choose a safe area to live in.

Fun activities

Los Angeles is known for its diverse entertainment options, such as Hollywood attractions, beautiful beaches, hiking trails, museums, and vibrant nightlife.

Climate

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. It is generally sunny throughout the year.

Races and population

Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures with a diverse population representing various races and ethnicities.

Education

Los Angeles is home to several prestigious universities and colleges, offering a wide range of educational opportunities.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Los Angeles is relatively high compared to other cities in the U.S., especially when it comes to housing and transportation.

Proximity to bigger cities

Nearby bigger cities include San Diego (about 2-3 hours drive) and San Francisco (about 6-7 hours drive), offering additional urban experiences.

Pros

Exciting cultural opportunities
diverse culinary experiences
access to beautiful beaches
great weather
and potential networking opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Cons

High cost of living
traffic congestion
air pollution
and housing affordability challenges.

FAQ

Ready to Find Your Ideal Residency Program?

Get a personalized, data-driven program list built around your scores, experiences, and visa needs.

Get matched with SmartPick

Nearby programs

Surgery Programs Near Los Angeles, CA

University of California (San Diego) Medical Center ProgramLa Jolla, CASurgery Arrowhead Regional Medical Center/Kaiser Permanente (Fontana) ProgramColton, CASurgery University of California (Irvine) ProgramOrange, CASurgery Kern Medical Center ProgramBakersfield, CASurgery HCA Healthcare/Los Robles Regional Medical Center ProgramThousand Oaks, CASurgery Huntington Memorial Hospital ProgramPasadena, CASurgery Riverside University Health System/University of California Riverside ProgramMoreno Valley, CASurgery Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Los Angeles) ProgramLos Angeles, CASurgery Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ProgramLos Angeles, CASurgery HCA Healthcare Riverside ProgramRiverside, CASurgery University of Southern California/Los Angeles General Medical Center (USC/LA General) ProgramLos Angeles, CASurgery Southwest Healthcare Medical Education Consortium ProgramWildomar, CASurgery Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium ProgramLoma Linda, CASurgery Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center ProgramTorrance, CASurgery Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital ProgramSanta Barbara, CASurgery Community Memorial Health System ProgramVentura, CASurgery

Other specialties near Los Angeles, CA

References

1. Freida - https://freida.ama-assn.org/program/4400521042

2. Residency Explorer - https://www.residencyexplorer.org/Program/GetByIdWithMedicalSpecialty/8856ad69-dcb1-10c5-437b-03a0115f6f2b

3. ACGME - Accreditation Data System (ADS) - https://apps.acgme.org/ads/Public/Programs/Search

4. NRMP Results and Data: 2022-2026 Main Residency Match - https://www.nrmp.org/match-data/2026/03/program-results-2022-2026/

5. United States Census Bureau - https://data.census.gov/profile/City,_VS?g=010XX00US

6. Zillow Research - Observed Rent Index (ZORI) - https://www.zillow.com/research/data/

7. FBI - Crime/Law Enforcement Stats (Uniform Crime Reporting Program) - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ucr

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center Program

Overview

Curriculum Overview

Rotations

Research Opportunities

Unique Aspects of the Program

Visa Support and Competitiveness

Application Requirements

Conclusion

Web sources

SmartPick

Program data

Program

Training

Quality of Life

Admission

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Incoming Schools

Rotation Duration by Site

Benchmarks

Match & stats

2026 Residency Applicant & Interview Insights

Match History Matched positions of the program in previous years [4]

Roster

Publications

Utilization of Paragonix LIVERguard® donor organ transport system for static hypothermic preservation of a multivisceral allograft.

The Principles of Inclusive Excellence are Important to the Surgeon's Mission.

Location

Living in Los Angeles, CA

Crime rate and safety

Fun activities

Climate

Races and population

Education

Cost of living

Proximity to bigger cities

Pros

Cons

FAQ

Ready to Find Your Ideal Residency Program?

Nearby programs

Other specialties near Los Angeles, CA

References

Match History ^[4]