School of Medicine
On This Page:
- School of Medicine Overview
- School of Medicine Degrees
- Vision Statement
- Health Sciences Complex
- Biomedical Research Center
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
- University of California, Irvine Health
- UCI Family Health Center - Santa Ana and Anaheim Locations
- Affiliated Hospitals and Clinics
- School of Medicine Alumni Relations
Michael J. Stamos, M.D., Dean
240 Irvine Hall, 949-824-1046
Admissions and Outreach: 949-824-5388
https://medschool.uci.edu/
School of Medicine Overview
The UCI School of Medicine became part of the University of California in 1965. Before this time it was known as the California College of Medicine which traces its roots to a private institution founded in 1896.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine is to Discover. Teach. Heal. The mission is accomplished by promoting biomedical sciences and medicine in Orange County, California, and beyond, through excellence in research, education, patient care and community service.
Vision Statement
Powered by discovery, innovation and inclusive excellence, UCI School of Medicine will advance individual and population health.
Our Goals
Research Distinction: Achieve distinction across basic, translational, clinical and outcomes research. Excellence in research is an essential feature of the School of Medicine. Therefore, the School is committed to developing and maintaining research programs in the health sciences that seek to advance basic scientific knowledge and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human illness.
Innovative Education: Educate the next generation of healthcare leaders through innovative learning. The School of Medicine is committed to providing educational programs of the highest quality to medical and graduate students, residents, fellows, allied health, practicing physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Educational programs are offered along the continuum of medical education with programs in undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education. These programs emphasize the most current knowledge in the health sciences and reflect the changing practice of medicine. Further, the School of Medicine’s educational programs are designed to stimulate lifelong self-learning and critical inquiry and to exemplify those human values necessary to fulfill the professional commitments of a career in the health sciences.
Clinical Excellence: Provide excellent care and an exceptional experience. Recognizing its responsibility to meet the educational needs of students and the diverse needs of the patient community, the School of Medicine is committed to programs of clinical excellence across the spectrum of patient care disciplines.
Complex Care Leader: Be the region's top destination for complex care. As a publicly assisted institution, the School of Medicine is committed to serving the community as a vital resource of expertise and knowledge. The School further serves the public through the training of health professionals whose backgrounds reflect California’s ethnic and cultural diversity and whose professional careers address California’s healthcare needs.
Degrees
| Biomedical and Translational Science | M.S. |
| Biomedical Sciences1,3 | M.S., Ph.D. |
| Genetic Counseling | M.S. |
| Medical Science2 | M.S. |
| Medicine | M.D. |
- 1
The School of Medicine’s basic science departments of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Biological Chemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Physiology and Biophysics offer graduate instruction leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Sciences.
- 2
This degree is designed for students who have completed the first two years of the curriculum, but do not plan to complete the M.D. degree. Students cannot apply for or enroll in the program for the M.S. in Medical Sciences degree only.
- 3
Admission is for the Ph.D. degree only; the M.S. may be awarded to Ph.D. students after fulfillment of the requirements per policy within each department.
The School of Medicine also offers the Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D./Ph.D.), the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), Program in Medical Education - Leadership Education to Advance Diversity–African, Black and Caribbean (PRIME-LEAD-ABC), Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM), an M.D./M.B.A. program in cooperation with The Paul Merage School of Business, an M.D./M.P.H. program in cooperation with the School of Population and Public Health, medical residency and fellowship programs, and continuing medical education for physicians and other health care professionals.
Vision Statement
Powered by discovery, innovation and inclusive excellence, UCI School of Medicine will advance individual and population health in Orange County and beyond.
Health Sciences Complex
The Health Sciences Complex is a 121-acre site that houses UCI’s medical school facilities. Twenty-nine acres have been developed to provide space for teaching, research and patient care, as well as offices for departmental administration.
The School’s basic science instructional programs are located in modern, well-equipped, medical sciences buildings. These units provide space for first- and second-year classes, lecture halls (including the Dr. S. Jerome and Judith D. Tamkin Student Lecture Hall), offices and laboratories for various basic and clinical departments. Other buildings house the School’s laboratories and administrative offices.
The Medical Education building symbolizes the University’s ongoing commitment to high-quality medical education and innovation. The 65,000-square-foot building serves as the hub for nearly all non-hospital related educational activities for UCI medical students, and incorporates the latest technology to help prepare tomorrow’s doctors for healthcare in the digital age. The School of Medicine Educational Affairs Office is located in the Medical Education building, as well as the innovative Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC), the Program in Medical Education - Leadership Education to Advance Diversity–African, Black and Caribbean (PRIME-LEAD-ABC), and the Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM) program.
The Medical Education building’s Telemedicine Center includes a 60-seat interactive televideo auditorium where students watch UCI physicians provide expert care over the Internet to patients in rural or other remote locations. Located on the second floor, the Clinical Skills Center is a cutting-edge facility for teaching and assessment of clinical skills, communication, and professionalism. The Clinical Skills Center includes 17 fully equipped patient exam rooms, a central control room for exam administration and recording of all activities, and a computer software system that focuses on the capture, debriefing, and assessment of medical training. The building also features an advanced Medical Education Simulation Center, complete with a four-suite Simulation Lab that utilizes high-fidelity human patient simulators with physiologically accurate responses to stimuli to enhance learning and assess competency. The lab is equipped with a fully operational anesthesia suite, a trauma suite, and a general ward environment. The Simulation Lab has two debriefing rooms for immediate feedback on performance as well as a large central control room for all simulation activities.
In addition, the 40,000-square-foot Plumwood House is devoted to basic research in the fields of neurological disorders, diagnostic systems and reagents, and industrial bioreactors. In this facility, faculty from the Department of Biological Chemistry share laboratory space with corporate researchers.
Outpatient services are available on campus through the Louis A. and Helen C. Gottschalk Medical Plaza and the Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic. Together these facilities capitalize upon the broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic programs of the School as well as the extensive clinical expertise of the faculty. Both primary care and specialty services are offered through these facilities, as well as special programs in diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. The medical plaza also houses UCI Corporate Health Services and one of the world’s leading programs in medical laser technology, the Beckman Laser Institute, which offers state-of-the-art treatment for cancer and dermatological conditions. The Institute specializes in the development and application of laser and other optical technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
For the latest in diagnostic healthcare for eye diseases, the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, which serves as home to the UCI School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, provides state-of-the-art services, including computerized refraction analysis, glaucoma diagnosis and ultrasound analysis of eye disorders.
Biomedical Research Center
UCI’s Biomedical Research Center (BRC) is a landmark public-private collaboration between UCI and businesses involved in biomedical, biotechnological, and healthcare services. The Center enables UCI researchers and participating companies to work alongside one another, combining basic science, clinical study and product development to find new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The William J. Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, the first of several BRC buildings, is the home of a core group of prominent scientists investigating the causes and cures for neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and spinal cord injury. The second building is the Robert R. Sprague Family Foundation Hall, where scientists work to reveal the role of genetics in cancer treatment and prevention. The third building, the Dottie and George Hewitt Research Hall, is home to a state-of-the-art General Clinical Research Center and internationally recognized investigators studying infectious diseases, molecular medicine, immunology, and complementary and alternative medicine. The Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center is the fourth building in UCI’s Biomedical Research Center. Opened in 2010, this state-of-the-art research and clinical building fosters a multi-pronged approach to neurodegenerative repair and basic stem cell biology by supporting basic research, regenerative medicine and drug-development programs.
Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center based in Orange County and one of only 51 such centers in the country. With this designation, NCI recognizes UCI’s excellence in providing world-class patient care and innovative research as part of “the backbone of NCI’s programs for studying and controlling cancer.” The Cancer Center is headquartered at the UCI Medical Center in Orange and also operates out of Sprague Hall on the UCI campus in Irvine. The 58,000-square-foot Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in Orange provides an ideal setting for the practice of all the basic and clinical subspecialties involved in oncology care, including the application of the latest techniques for the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer. The 53,000-square-foot Sprague Hall in Irvine serves as the UCI hub for multidisciplinary basic and translational cancer research, housing faculty laboratories and specialized core research support facilities. Overall, more than 200 physicians and scientists, drawn from over 32 departments across eight schools at UCI (Medicine, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Nursing, Engineering, Information and Computer Sciences, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Business), work together to understand the biological mechanisms underpinning cancer and to translate these discoveries into new therapies for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer of all types and degrees of severity.
University of California, Irvine Health
UCI Health is comprised of a devoted team of nationally regarded physicians and nurses, researchers and clinicians, educators and students united by a single calling — to improve the lives of the people in our community and beyond. As the only academic health system in Orange County, this multifaceted organization is dedicated to the discovery of new medical frontiers, to the teaching of future healers, and to the delivery of the finest evidence-based care. UCI Medical Center features a 459-bed acute care hospital providing tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, behavioral health, and rehabilitation. It is the primary teaching hospital for the UCI School of Medicine.
- UCI School of Medicine, one of the top U.S. medical schools for research, is where our groundbreaking research and treatment advances are imparted to the rising practitioners of tomorrow.
- UCI Medical Center has been rated among the nation's best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years. It is also ranked among the top 50 U.S. medical centers in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Geriatrics, and Cancer.
- The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 53 in the nation — and the only one based in Orange County — designated for excellence by the National Cancer Institute.
- UCI Medical Center is Orange County's only Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, which means trauma and critical care physicians are fully equipped to treat life-threatening injuries 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The Comprehensive Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center is the first in Orange County to be certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center by the nation's preeminent health care standard-setting organization.
- Numerous health providers throughout Orange County apply the most advanced medical knowledge — for diabetes, neuromuscular disease, women’s health, and more.
- UCI Health is building a new medical complex on the UCI campus. UCI Health – Irvine includes the Center for Advanced Care opening in early 2024, the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building opening in 2024, and a 144-bed acute care hospital and emergency department opening in 2025.
- This union of discovery, teaching and healing has enabled UCI Health to pioneer new therapies and techniques that have been adopted by institutions across the nation.
More information is available at the UCI Health website.
UCI Family Health Center - Santa Ana and Anaheim Locations
The UCI Family Health Centers are designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (UCI FQHC). The UCI FQHC Board of Directors is made up of community members and patients, who in collaboration with UCI Health, deliver primary care services to the under-served communities in Orange County. This collaboration is very unique, and although there are other FQHCs in the country with academic affiliations, the UCI FQHC and UCI Health have a co-applicant agreement that is recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
UCI FQHC is the oldest FQHC in Orange County. It provides care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The vast majority of patients served at the UCI FQHC are Medi-Cal patients and predominantly monolingual Spanish speakers. The core services delivered at these locations are primary care - Adult, Pediatric, and Women’s Health. The Departments of Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing provide these services.
UCI FQHC serves as a training ground for both residents and medical students which gives learners a unique opportunity to manage complex medical cases while addressing the social determinants of health. In addition, the health centers offer an array of other services.
Behavioral Health is offered by Licensed Clinical Social Workers to address the social stressors affecting our patients and provide counseling for psychological and substance use disorders. Patients can also access our onsite Oral Health services that provide care for all ages and complement the medical care delivered. There are unique pharmacy services offered at the Santa Ana location. These services not only include medication dispensing but also medication reconciliation and chronic disease management visits performed by our clinical pharmacists which include faculty from the School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The UCI Health Family Health Center takes care of the whole person by providing Medical, Dental, Behavioral, and Social Health Services. It takes a unique approach to care involving the entire care team. The team meets regularly as a group to address the healthcare disparities and gaps of their patients. We have a long-standing history of care innovation with group medical visits, a teaching kitchen, and integrative medicine (acupuncture and mindfulness). The FQHC has been nationally recognized over the past three years for its excellence in care, reducing healthcare disparities, improving access to care, and addressing social disparities. The UCI Health Family Health Centers in Santa Ana and Anaheim were recognized among the country’s top Federally Qualified Health Centers by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s 2022 Community Health Quality Recognition program. The centers received three badges for excellence, including a gold recognition as a Health Center Quality Leader. The Health Center Quality Leader badge reflects overall clinical quality measure performance in the top 10 percent of those eligible health centers.
Affiliated Hospitals and Clinics
Additional major teaching and research programs of the UCI School of Medicine are conducted at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and Miller Children's Hospital (Long Beach). Other academic programs are conducted in affiliation with Kaiser Foundation Hospital (Anaheim, Bellflower and Irvine), Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and AltaMed Medical Group (Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach and Santa Ana).
School of Medicine Alumni Relations
The UCI School of Medicine is the oldest continually operating medical school in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. It began in 1896 as the Pacific College of Osteopathy (PSO) and some years later became the College of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. It then evolved into the California College of Medicine in 1962 and subsequently joined the UC system in 1965. Alumni Relations provides programs and services for more than 6,500 alumni of the School as well as alumni engagement opportunities for students. From financial support of Honor’s Night awards, to mentorship and reunions, Alumni Relations seeks to provide a cornerstone from which students and alumni can benefit from their relationships with one another while strengthening the School of Medicine. The UCI School of Medicine also has an official Alumni Chapter under the leadership of the UCI Alumni Association. This chapter and its board of alumni volunteers plan alumni programming, fundraise for events and scholarships, and participate in campus traditions.
Faculty
On This Page:
- Office of Medical Education
- Office of Student Support
- Financial Aid
- Curricular Affairs
- Division of Educational Technology
- Continuing Medical Education
- Graduate Medical Education
Office of Medical Education
Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin, M.D., M.Ed., Vice Dean for Medical Education: 949-824-8405
Julie Youm, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Education Compliance and Quality: 949-824-3913
Shaun Langer, Executive Director, Education: 949-824-1567
The Vice Dean for Medical Education, in cooperation with the Academic Senate faculty, is responsible for the administrative oversight of the educational program leading to the M.D. degree, postgraduate residency and fellowship programs, and continuing medical education programs provided for practicing physicians and allied health personnel. Housed within the Office of Medical Education are the divisions/offices of Admissions, Curricular Affairs, Student Support, Education Compliance and Quality, Educational Technology, Graduate Medical Education and Continuing Medical Education. The Office of Medical Education provides services for the M.D. program, which include development, implementation, management, and evaluation of the curriculum and meeting the accreditation standards of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The Office of Medical Education also offers student support services, which include academic advising, learning skills counseling, psychological/wellness counseling, career advising, financial aid counseling, oversight of student records, and is committed to diversity and inclusion through successful mission-based programs. Additional student services are coordinated by Medical Education through respective University offices, which include housing, student health, and disability services.
Office of Student Support
Megan Boysen Osborn M.D., Associate Dean, Students: mbo@hs.uci.edu
Kyle Paredes, M.D., Assistant Dean, Student Affairs: paredesk@hs.uci.edu
Nancy Guirguis, Ed.D., Assistant Dean, Student Affairs: ngirguis@hs.uci.edu
Charles Vega, M.D., Assistant Dean, Cultural and Community Education: cpvega@hs.uci.edu
Carol Major, M.D., Assistant Dean, Student Inclusive Excellence: camajor@hs.uci.edu
Lauren Stokes, Ed.D., Director, Academic Support: lgih@hs.uci.edu
Shelly VanAmburg, MAEd, Learning Skills Specialist: shellyv@hs.uci.edu
The mission of the Office of Student Support is to create an environment within the School of Medicine community that fosters student wellbeing and attainment of the School of Medicine educational objectives. This is accomplished through ensuring that student participation in the educational program occurs in a manner consistent with School of Medicine policies and regulations, and through the provision of support services that facilitate optimal student participation in the educational program. To accomplish the educational assurance mission, the Office of Student Support disseminates information regarding academic policies and regulations, provides administrative and executive support for the faculty Committee on Promotions and Honors, and facilitates the institutional recognition of student achievement through the conduct of various School of Medicine events. To accomplish the educational support mission, the Office of Student Support provides academic, personal, psychological, career, and financial counseling; academic skills assessment and learning resources support, student wellness programs, student facilities support, initiatives to enhance the learning environment, and support for a variety of student organizations and informal activities.
Financial Aid
Yma-Richel Nabong, Ed.D, M.B.A., Director
May Chan, Counselor
cmfao@uci.edu
The UCI School of Medicine Financial Aid Office provides financial assistance and financial counseling services to entering and continuing medical students. The office secures, manages, and provides funds in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans to assist in meeting students’ educational expenses. The office coordinates financial aid application materials; tracks documents needed to complete an application; reviews and evaluates information provided by applicants; awards financial aid programs; and conducts research to determine basic educational expense budgets. It also provides students with information on policies and procedures, cost of attendance, and eligibility criteria. In providing counseling services, the office advises students, reviews their individual circumstances, and provides financial assistance within financial aid program guidelines. It presents financial aid workshops for prospective and enrolled students to enhance their knowledge about financial aid programs and the application process, provides financial literacy and debt management counseling, and conducts entrance and exit interviews.
Curricular Affairs
Warren Wiechmann, M.D., M.B.A., Senior Associate Dean - Clinical Science Education & Educational Technology: 949-824-8358
Jeffrey Suchard, M.D., Associate Dean of Curricular Affairs - Basic Sciences: 949-824-4610
Terri Dean, Director: 949-824-4609
This office provides support related to curricular issues for the School of Medicine, departments, faculty, and students; initiates curriculum review and innovation to meet the challenges of contemporary medical education; establishes and reviews the objectives of the School of Medicine and ensures individual courses are teaching to meet the objectives; serves as facilitators of new programs and curriculum and supports working committees during curriculum development; facilitates and monitors curriculum integration; and maintains records on course materials and grading policies. This office is responsible for curriculum documentation for review by the Curriculum and Educational Policies committee; the collection of course evaluations by students; maintaining accurate information on core and elective curriculum; and assessing the success of the current programs.
Division of Educational Technology
Warren Wiechmann, M.D., Associate Dean of Educational Technology: 949-824-3837
Julie Youm, Ph.D., Director: 949-824-3913
The Division of Educational Technology is dedicated to enhancing the medical education experience through innovation and the promotion of new technologies, including iPads, simulation, and ultrasound. The division provides services in three areas:
- Technology Support: Quality technology support, media, instructional design and professional development services for School of Medicine faculty, students, and staff, and collaborates within the Office of Medical Education to effectively integrate technology into the medical school curriculum.
- Clinical Skills Training: The Clinical Skills and Simuation Center was developed to teach and assess the clinical skills of medical students, residents and physicians in an environment that simulates the clinical setting. It occupies the second floor of the Medical Education Building on the university campus in Irvine. The $40-million, 65,000-square foot center incorporates innovations in interactive medical instructional technology with 17 patient rooms. Further, a medical simulation center provides telemedicine and simulation-based educational programs and CME courses for thousands of healthcare providers each year.
- Ultrasound Education: Medical students receive extensive ultrasound education through a four-year, fully-integrated point-of-care curriculum that introduces them to basic and advanced ultrasound skills.
Continuing Medical Education
Robert McCarron, D.O., DFAPA, Associate Dean, Continuing Medical Education, 949-824-0112
Jennifer Reino, C.H.C.P., Director, Continuing Medical Education, 949-824-9163
Wendy Cant, M.B.A., Administrative Director, Train New Trainer Fellowships, 949-824-4747
CME@hs.uci.edu
The Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) mission is to provide innovative and high-quality educational activities to physicians and other healthcare professionals, which improves or expands delivery of medical care. CME programs are designed to reinforce clinically relevant medical knowledge; impart updated information on clinical practice and healthcare delivery; introduce new ideas, skills and technology; and disseminate clinically significant research findings. Our mission is aligned with the UC Irvine School of Medicine, which supports the continuum of medical education through programs in undergraduate, graduate and continuing medical education. UCI School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) with commendation.
Graduate Medical Education
Kyle Ahn, MD, MBA, Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education
Daniel Kang, MD, Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education
Laura Fitzmaurice, MD, Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education
Courtney Strayer, Director of Graduate Medical Education
GME Office: 714-456-3526
The UCI School of Medicine attracts outstanding students from prestigious medical schools and talented residents from top-notch training programs nationwide, offering over 70 ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs with more than 750 positions. UCI Medical Center, Tibor Rubin Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital are the integrated training sites for the graduate medical education programs. Inquiries about specific programs should be directed to the Program Director as listed in the Residency & Fellowship Database, published annually by the American Medical Association.
All ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs meet the formal standards of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the appropriate specialty boards. The University of California, Irvine (UCI) adheres to the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976, P.L. 94-484, Section 709, regarding shared-schedule residency training positions.
The M.D. Program
On This Page:
- Admissions
- Selection Factors
- Requirements for Admission
- Outreach
- Medical Student Advisor System
- Master of Science in Medical Science (M.S.)
- Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D./Ph.D.)
- M.D./M.B.A. Program
- M.D./M.P.H. Program
- Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM)
- Program in Medical Education - Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black, and Caribbean (PRIME-LEAD-ABC)
- Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC)
- The M.D. Curriculum
- Curricular Policies
- First and Second Year Course Work
- Third and Fourth Year Course Work
- Curricular Descriptions
Admissions
University of California, Irvine
School of Medicine
Office of Admissions
Medical Education Building
Irvine, CA 92697- 4089
949-824-5388 or 800-UCI-5388
https://medschool.uci.edu/education/admissions
The UCI School of Medicine is a member of the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). All students who seek entrance to the UCI School of Medicine must complete the American Medical Colleges Application Services (AMCAS) application. Applications must be submitted between June 1 and November 1 of the year preceding anticipated admission.
Additional information for the following programs is included below:
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP, M.D./Ph.D.)
- M.D./M.B.A.
- M.D./M.P.H.
- Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM)
- Program in Medical Education - Leadership Education to Advance Diversity- African, Black and Caribbean (PRIME-LEAD-ABC)
- Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC)
University of California programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University of California and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time. The University of California has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a University of California program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).
Selection Factors
The UCI School of Medicine seeks to admit students who are highly qualified to be trained in the practice of medicine and whose backgrounds, talents, and experiences contribute to a diverse student body. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews all applicants whose academic record and MCAT scores indicate that they will be able to handle the rigorous medical school curriculum. In addition to scholastic achievement, applicants are evaluated on their extent and level of research involvement, exposure and involvement in a health care setting, and community service. Dedication, reliability, altruism, and leadership as well as interpersonal communication skills are attributes that are given high regard when considering applicants for a position in the class. Careful consideration is given to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds and those that have demonstrated the potential to work with the medically under-served, in particular the Latinx population in California.
After receipt of the AMCAS application, applicants may be invited to complete a secondary application and will be required to submit a nonrefundable application fee of $120. Upon further review by the Admissions Committee, approximately 600 applicants will be invited to interview. Applicants are interviewed by both faculty and current medical students. Regional interviews are not available.
Requirements for Admission
Students can be considered for admission to the School of Medicine if they meet the following requirements:
- All applicants must complete the American Medical Colleges Application Service (AMCAS) application between June 1 - November 1, of the application year. Applicants must have a minimum of three years (90 semester units) of undergraduate coursework at an accredited U.S. college or university at the time the application is submitted. Additionally, applicants must receive an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation. All course work must be verified by AMCAS before an applicant can be advanced to the admissions process. For purposes of evaluation, letter or numerical grades are preferred for course work, particularly for the required subjects listed below. All prerequisite courses listed as “in progress” on the AMCAS application and UCI School of Medicine Secondary Application must be successfully completed by July 15 of the matriculation year. Failure to meet the requirements or falsification of information are grounds for rejection or dismissal.
- Applicants must complete the following college course requirements prior to matriculation:
Medical School Requirements for Admission Subject Requirement Comments Biology 1.5 Years: 3 semesters or 5 quarters. Must include one upper-division Biology course. Chemistry 2 Years: 4 semesters or 6 quarters. Must include biochemistry, inorganic and organic chemistry courses. Physics 1 Year: 2 semesters or 3 quarters. Humanities 1 semester or 1 quarter. (e.g. English, History, Arts) - Applicants are strongly encouraged to have completed their basic science requirements at the time they submit their application. No specific major is required, however, demonstrated ability in the sciences is of great importance. In addition, applicants are advised to take advantage of the intellectual maturation afforded by a well-rounded liberal arts education. English, the humanities, and the social and behavioral sciences are considered particularly important. The following courses are also recommended but not required: molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, vertebrate embryology, psychology, biostatistics, calculus, English composition, and Spanish.
- Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) must have been taken within the three years preceding June 1 of the application year and no later than September 30 of the application year.
- Three to six current letters are suggested. We recommend that at least two of the letters be from senior professors who can evaluate your academic abilities. If you have been involved in research, clinical, community service, or other significant extracurricular activities, it is recommended that you submit a letter from your mentor, supervisor, or advisor. The Admissions Committee will only be reviewing letters of recommendation from those applicants who received a secondary application.
- A criminal background check is conducted on all accepted applicants.
- All students matriculating to the UCI School of Medicine must be able to meet the Technical Standards available at the School of Medicine Admissions website.
Outreach
Outreach efforts coordinated by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion housed in the School of Medicine are designed to introduce students to the medical profession during their high school and undergraduate education. An additional goal of this office is to create pathways of access to students with an interest in health careers through community outreach and engagement, hosting students on our campus for the annual Open Medical School event, and the UCI MedAcademy (a five-day experience designed to introduce high school students to medical careers) designed to introduce pre-medical students to the realities of medical training and the preparation desired. The UCI School of Medicine is committed to creating a health workforce that reflects and is responsive to the diverse communities we serve by recruiting students from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups with a desire to serve in the medically underserved communities in California.
For more information on the UCI MedAcademy, activities and application process:
Website: https://medschool.uci.edu/education/summer-programs/education-summer-programs-uci-medacademy
Email: MedAcademy@uci.edu
Phone: 949-824-0272
Medical Student Advisor System
The School of Medicine provides a comprehensive academic advising and assistance program that spans the full duration of the students’ educational program.
Academic and Career Advisors
Megan Boysen Osborn, M.D., Associate Dean, Students: mbo@hs.uci.edu
Kyle Paredes, M.D., Assistant Dean, Student Affairs: paredesk@hs.uci.edu
Nancy Guirguis, Ed.D., Assistant Dean, Student Affairs: ngirguis@hs.uci.edu
Chloe Courchesne, M.D., UCI School of Medicine Career Advisor: ccourche@hs.uci.edu
Daniel Kang, M.D., UCI School of Medicine Career Advisor: daniek1@hs.uci.edu
Kari Kansal, M.D., UCI School of Medicine Career Advisor: kkansal@hs.uci.edu
Maria Peralta, M.D., UCI School of Medicine Career Advisor: mvperalt@hs.uci.edu
Lauren Stokes, Ed.D., Director, Academic Support: lgih@hs.uci.edu
Shelly VanAmburg, MAEd, Learning Skills Specialist: shellyv@hs.uci.edu
Student academic performance is monitored on a weekly basis by the Student Monitoring Committee and a bi-weekly Student Success Committee. The committees discuss and develop specific action plans for each student experiencing academic difficulty. All students are also assigned a faculty Career Advisor beginning early in their first year.
A four-year Career Advising Curriculum has been developed for all medical students. During the new student orientation, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs leads a “Career Perspectives” workshop, which provides an overview of the career curriculum and introduces the AAMC Careers in Medicine program to the students. Monthly specialty workshops are provided to the first and second year classes during lunch at the Irvine campus (or held virtually) and a two-year rotating schedule of specialties has been developed. Similarly, workshops are given at the Medical Center in Orange for the third year students. The assigned Career Advisor provides academic support as well as career counseling support while the student is enrolled in the School of Medicine. Assigned Career Advisors provide guidance on factors such as elective selection and career path requirements. Students also have access to a group of faculty from various departments who have agreed to provide specialty-specific academic advice in their disciplines (Specialty Mentors).
In addition to the Career Advisors and Specialty Mentors, the students have access to services provided through the Learning Skills Specialist. Students can seek one-on-one counseling from the Learning Skills Specialist or attend workshops that have been created to improve study skills and time management.
Peer Review and Peer Counseling Program
Megan Boysen Osborn, M.D., Associate Dean, Students: mbo@hs.uci.edu
Nancy Guirguis, Ed.D., MSW Director, SOM Wellness: ngirguis@hs.uci.edu
The School of Medicine has an informal peer review process, aimed at early detection and assistance for medical students who are experiencing difficulty such as professional conduct problems, suspected impairment, violation of the honor code, or violation of any University policy, regulation, or rule. The Peer Review Committee is comprised of two representatives from each class, the student body co-presidents, and two advisory faculty members. The committee operates within guidelines set jointly by the School of Medicine administration and the student body. Cases involving serious professional misconduct are referred to the Dean’s Office. The Promotions and Honor Committee conducts hearings and may impose sanctions or provide assistance to the student.
Master of Science in Medical Science (M.S.)
Megan Boysen Osborn, M.D., Associate Dean, Students: mbo@hs.uci.edu
The UCI Master of Science in Medical Science is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in health care. Students obtain a strong foundation in anatomy and embryology, biochemistry, neuroscience, behavioral science, ethics, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Students receive exposure to the health care setting and a strong foundation in interviewing and interacting with patients. The curriculum continues to meet the changing needs of medical education within the two years of instruction. Indeed, the School of Medicine faculty views curriculum development as a continual process and feels that medical education and teaching innovations must be encouraged and supported. The curriculum is designed to encourage medical students to become participants in their education process, to be active rather than passive learners, to become lifelong learners, and to use cooperative and team-learning principles.
UCI is dedicated to the nurturing of humanistic, caring physicians and health care professionals with top-notch clinical expertise and skills. The School strives for this through a curriculum that is not only anchored in the science of medicine but also provides meaningful experiences in the humanistic dimensions of medicine. In this context, the faculty endeavors to provide students with experiences in areas such as communication and empathy, ethics and professionalism, diversity awareness, and cultural sensitivity and medical humanities. The faculty also feels that the curriculum should strive to integrate basic and clinical sciences by bringing substantial clinical material into this early phase of medical education.
The School has achieved vertical integration of the curriculum with the development of a series of “Clinical Foundations” courses. The courses are longitudinal multidisciplinary experiences broadly designed to prepare students for their future careers in health care through the application of experiential and self-directed learning principles. These courses also utilize small group learning sessions to reinforce core concepts of patient-physician interactions and introductory clinical reasoning skill development.
To satisfy the requirement for the M.S. in Medical Science degree, each medical student must successfully complete the first and second-year curriculum, elective(s) to complete a service learning project (SLP) elective. The SLP ensures that students seek knowledge to better serve the needs of the community, perform a community health assessment and intervention, and identify evidence-based strategies for providing health education to members of the community. Students must also pass a comprehensive oral examination prior to conferring of the degree.
An ongoing academic monitoring program is coordinated by the Office of Student Support, which identifies students early who might be experiencing academic difficulty and provides them with resources to successfully complete their course work. Faculty advisors are assigned to students during their first and second years. A Learning Resources Program is available to provide tutorial assistance and study skills training.
Graduates of the program will be prepared to use the foundation provided in this program towards a career health care (leadership, business, or research). For the degree, students must complete at least 142 units, consisting of the following courses:
First Year:
Clinical Foundations I
Anatomy and Embryology
Behavioral Science and Ethics 1
Histology
Immunology
Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Medical Genetics
Neuroscience
Physiology and Pathophysiology
Patient and Community Engagement I
Second Year:
Clinical Foundations II
Behavioral Science and Ethics II
Pathology
Medical Microbiology
Medical Pharmacology
Patient and Community Engagement II
Service-Learning Project Elective (12-24 units)
Students earning the M.S. will complete a service-learning project. After or during completion of the required curriculum and SLP, students may be advanced to candidacy for the M.S. degree. Once they are a candidate for the M.S. degree, they will be required to pass a comprehensive examination. The exam will consist of a comprehensive oral examination (assessing knowledge of histology, immunology, medical genetics, neuroscience, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, behavioral science and ethics, and/or gross anatomy and embryology). Students are required to be enrolled as a full-time student during advancement to candidacy and degree conferral for the M.S. degree.
This degree is designed for students who have completed the first two years of the curriculum, but do not plan to complete the M.D. degree. Students cannot apply for or enroll in the program for the M.S. in Medical Sciences degree only.
Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D./Ph.D.)
Alan Goldin, M.D., Ph.D., Director: 949-824-5334
Exceptionally well-qualified students interested in careers in academic medicine, and with demonstrated research accomplishments, may be considered for admission to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Students in this program pursue a combined curriculum for an M.D. from the School of Medicine and a Ph.D. from any of the graduate programs at UCI for which they qualify. The normative time for completion of the program is eight years, and students holding either degree prior to admission are not eligible for MSTP. The maximum time for completion of the program is 10 years. Additional information is available from the MSTP Administrator's Office, 949-824-5264; mstp@uci.edu; or visit the Medical Scientist Training Program website (www.mstp.uci.edu).
Applicants for the Medical Scientist Training Program are required to answer supplementary program-specific questions on the secondary application (through the School of Medicine Office of Admissions). Students accepted into the program have the option of pursuing graduate study in any of the graduate programs at UCI for which they qualify. Although a specific graduate department need not be chosen at the time of admission, students are expected to have selected a field for their graduate studies. Financial support in the form of a fellowship, which includes a stipend as well as tuition and fees, is provided. Applicants not accepted into MSTP may be considered separately for admission to the School of Medicine.
M.D./M.B.A. Program
Kyle Paredes, M.D., M.B.A., Program Director: 949-824-5932
The M.D./M.B.A. program requires five years for completion. It is aimed at individuals who are exceptional in ability and motivation and who seek a career as physicians with major responsibility for administration and management in health care organizations and institutions. Students in this program pursue a combined curriculum for an M.D. from the School of Medicine and an M.B.A. from The Paul Merage School of Business.
Students must be currently enrolled in the M.D. program in order to apply to the combined M.D./M.B.A. program. During their second year of medical school, interested students submit an application to The Paul Merage School of Business Admissions Committee, after review by the School of Medicine. Final acceptance to the program is granted by The Paul Merage School of Business, and M.B.A. course work begins following completion of the student’s third year of medical school. Students should be aware that enrollment in the M.D. program does not guarantee acceptance into the M.B.A. program.
The MCAT, along with the completion of three years of medical school training in good standing and passage of USMLE Step 1, currently serve as a waiver for the GMAT entrance examination usually required for application to the M.B.A. program.
M.D./M.P.H. Program
Bharath Chakravarthy, M.D., M.P.H., Director
The M.D./M.P.H. program requires five years for completion. It is aimed at individuals who are seeking a career as physicians concerned about making a significant difference in community disease prevention. Students in this program pursue a combined curriculum for an M.D. degree from the School of Medicine and an M.P.H. degree from the Program in Public Health.
Students must be currently enrolled in the M.D. program in order to apply to the dual M.D./M.P.H. program. During their third year of medical school, interested students submit both the Application for Graduate Admission and the School of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS) application in order to be considered for admission. Final acceptance to the program is granted by the Program in Public Health, and M.P.H. coursework begins following the student's third year of medical school. Students should be aware that enrollment in the M.D. program does not guarantee acceptance into the M.P.H. program.
The MCAT, along with the completion of three years of medical school training in good standing, currently serve as a waiver for the GRE entrance examination usually required for application to the M.P.H. program. The total number of units required to graduate from each program separately are satisfied in the M.D./M.P.H. program.
Contact the M.D./M.P.H. Student Affairs Officer at 949-824-7124 for more information.
Health Education to Advance Leaders in Integrative Medicine (HEAL-IM)
Alex Kipp, M.D., FAAFP, Dipl ABOIM, Co-Director: kippa@hs.uci.edu
Robert McCarron, D.O., DFAPA, Co-Director: rmccarro@hs.uci.edu
HEAL-IM is designed to provide a future generation of physicians with additional training and skills in the tools and philosophies of integrative medicine. The longitudinal curriculum supports the study of the practice of evidence-based, compassionate, whole-person care to benefit the treatment of patients and families, our community, and healthcare as a whole, setting the stage for future professional study and practice.
All applicants to the UCI School of Medicine are eligible to apply to HEAL-IM. The program is committed to offering a partial scholarship towards tuition and fees for the senior year for students in good standing in the program. The program will also cover the tuition and lodging fees for the summer LEAPS into IM program, as well as attendance at the Scripps Evidence-Based Natural Supplements conference in San Diego during MS2 and MS4 years.
Learn more about the HEAL-IM Program.
Program in Medical Education - Leadership Education to Advance Diversity-African, Black, and Caribbean (PRIME-LEAD-ABC)
Carol Major, M.D., and Candice Taylor Lucas, M.D., Co-Directors: SOMdiversity@hs.uci.edu
Program in Medical Education - Leadership and Education to Advance Diversity - African, Black, and Caribbean (PRIME-LEAD-ABC) is a mission-based program that is dedicated to addressing the health needs of diverse Black communities. The goal of PRIME-LEAD-ABC is to develop the next generation of physician leaders who are committed to public service, social justice, and advocacy within the African, Black, and Caribbean communities. We are committed to training compassionate physicians who will provide quality health care and reduce health care disparities within ABC communities.
All applicants to UCI School of Medicine are eligible to apply to PRIME-LEAD-ABC. The program selects from eight to 10 applicants per entering class who will receive partial or full scholarships (to cover tuition and fees) each year for four years. There is also the option of a fifth year, to be done at UCI, to complete a Master's if desired.
Learn more about the PRIME-LEAD-ABC Program.
Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC)
Charles Vega, M.D., Director: 949-824-7136
The Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) responds to the increasing demand for physician-leaders who are culturally and linguistically competent to address the health care delivery, research, and policy needs of underserved Latino communities in California. Students in PRIME-LC complete value-added curriculum in addition to their medical training in order to reach their goals of leading communities and improving health equity, and they also complete a Master’s degree program of their choice. The first residency positions in any UC PRIME opened in the UCI Family Medicine program in 2010.
To be considered for PRIME-LC, students should have experience in working in disadvantaged communities, particularly Latino communities. At least conversational Spanish is required as well. The most important factor in PRIME-LC Admissions is the long-term commitment to being a physician-leader for Latino communities.
The PRIME-LC supplemental application is part of the UCI School of Medicine secondary application and must be completed to be considered for acceptance. Applicants selected for faculty and student interviews are required to undertake a third interview in Spanish to evaluate conversational skills and commitment to service. All interested applicants, including those who are not currently California residents, are encouraged to complete the PRIME-LC application. Applicants not accepted into PRIME-LC may still be considered separately for admission to the regular School of Medicine M.D. program. For more information contact 949-824-7136; primelc@uci.edu; or visit the PRIME-LC website.
The M.D. Curriculum
The UCI medical curriculum continues to meet the changing needs of medical education within all four years of instruction. Indeed, the School of Medicine faculty views curriculum development as a continual process and feels that medical education and teaching innovations must be encouraged and supported. The curriculum is designed to encourage medical students to become participants in their education process, to be active rather than passive learners, to become lifelong learners, and to use cooperative and team-learning principles.
UCI is dedicated to the nurturing of humanistic, caring physicians with top-notch clinical expertise and skills. The School strives for this through a curriculum that is not only anchored in the science of medicine but also provides meaningful experiences in the humanistic dimensions of medicine. In this context, the faculty endeavors to provide students with experiences in areas such as communication and empathy, ethics and professionalism, diversity awareness, and cultural sensitivity and medical humanities. The faculty also feels that the curriculum should strive to integrate basic and clinical sciences by bringing substantial clinical material into the early phases of medical education.
The School has achieved vertical integration of the curriculum with the development of a series of “Clinical Foundations” courses. The courses are longitudinal multidisciplinary experiences broadly designed to prepare students for their future careers in medicine through the application of experiential and self-directed learning principles. First-and second-year students begin to prepare for their clerkships through clinical exposures featuring standardized patients and clinical shadowing experiences. These courses also utilize small group learning sessions to reinforce core concepts of patient-physician interactions and introductory clinical reasoning skill development. During the Clinical Foundations course in the third and fourth years, students explore many of the crucial issues first presented during the introductory courses. During this segment greater emphasis is placed on advanced skill acquisition and more mature professional role development.
To satisfy the requirement for the M.D. degree, each medical student must successfully complete the full curriculum. Students must also pass both Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and successfully pass a Clinical Performance Examination (CPX) prior to graduation.
An ongoing academic monitoring program is coordinated by the Office of Student Support, which identifies students early who might be experiencing academic difficulty and provides them with resources to successfully complete their course work. Faculty advisors are assigned to students during their first and second years. Students have advisory sessions with M.D. faculty prior to the scheduling of their fourth-year course work. A Learning Resources Program is available to provide tutorial assistance and study skills training.
Curricular Policies
The Curriculum and Education Policy (CEP) Committee is a committee of the Academic Senate that oversees the curriculum and governs policies pertaining to the curriculum. The CEP reviews and sets the standards of achievement for courses, clerkships, and the curriculum as a whole, and their bylaws dictate graduation requirements. The Committee on Promotions and Honors (P&H) is a standing committee of the faculty and enforces the standards of achievement and curricular policies set by the CEP Committee. P&H monitors the progress of all students throughout their educational experience.
A listing of the curricular policies, as well as information regarding registration, rules and regulations, grading procedures, and requirements for academic advancement, are contained in the School of Medicine Handbook, which is available at the School of Medicine Office of the Medical Education website.
First and Second Years:
Basic Science and Pre-clinical Course Work
| First Year |
|---|
| Clinical Foundations I |
| Anatomy and Embryology |
| Behavioral Science and Ethics 1 |
| Histology |
| Immunology |
| Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| Medical Genetics |
| Neuroscience |
| Patient-Centered 1 Clerkship |
| Physiology/Pathophysiology |
| Second Year |
| Clinical Foundations II |
| Behavioral Science and Ethics II |
| Pathology |
| Medical Microbiology |
| Medical Pharmacology |
| Patient-Centered 2 Clerkship |
Third and Fourth Years1:
Clinical Science Course Work
| Third Year |
|---|
| Clinical Foundations III |
| General Surgery Clerkship |
| Family Medicine Clerkship |
| Inpatient Medicine Clerkship |
| Neuroscience Clerkship |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship |
| Pediatrics Clerkship |
| Psychiatry Clerkship |
| Radiology Clerkship |
| Fourth Year |
| Clinical Foundations IV |
| Emergency Medicine |
| Intensive Care Unit |
| Senior Subinternship |
| Electives |
- 1
The sequence of third and fourth years varies.
Curricular Descriptions
First-Year Curriculum
Clinical Foundations I
Clinical Foundations I, first of the four-part Clinical Foundations series, serves as the introductory clinical medicine course for first-year medical students. Participating students learn core skills in physician-patient communication, medical interviewing, physical examination, and health promotion. The course is horizontally integrated with the basic science curriculum. The series includes a variety of small and large group sessions facilitated by our Dean’s Scholars clinical faculty. Students complete multiple medical interviews, physical examinations, and patient write-ups for which they receive feedback designed to improve proficiency. (Med Ed 554A-B-C)
Gross Anatomy and Embryology
The structure of the human body is taught in Gross Anatomy and Embryology. Emphasis is placed on normal structure as it relates to function, with consideration of abnormal structures that may be revealed in a clinical setting. Anatomy is taught through a regional approach, with an emphasis on laboratory dissections and demonstrations, augmented by lectures, radiographic films, discussions, and clinical correlate material. The course includes a detailed consideration of the embryologic aspects of human development. (Anatomy 500A-B)
Behavioral Science I
This clinically oriented course will cover foundation topics in behavioral science and will introduce clinically relevant social issues such as dealing with domestic violence as it presents clinically, treating minority or under-served populations, and cultural competence. (Psych 505A)
Medical Ethics, Sociology, and Humanities I (MESH)
The MESH course is designed to teach medical students the social context in which clinical medicine is practiced. The MESH course integrates multiple threads fundamental to understanding the role of the physician within society and the patient-physician relationship including ethics, sociology, and humanities. (Med Ed 521A)
Histology
Histology is designed to provide students with knowledge of the major features of the structural organization of cells, tissues and organs, and how that organization is related to function. Emphasis is placed on normal structure and function, with consideration of abnormalities in clinical cases. (Anatomy 503A-B)
Immunology
Immunology covers the cellular and molecular basis of immune responsiveness and the roles of the immune system in both health and disease. The material is presented in lectures and clinical correlates. (Mic Bio 544)
Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
This course covers the following topics from a biomedical perspective: protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, purines and pyrimidines, genome structure, molecular mechanisms of development, and signal transduction. (Biochem 523)
Medical Genetics
Medical Genetics reviews the basic principles of human genetics related to disease. Assessment of patterns of genetic risk, screening for genetic diseases, and cytogenetics and biochemical diagnosis are presented. Utilization of the human gene map and DNA sequence information for molecular genetic diagnosis are discussed. Students are introduced to the use of genetic databases and bioinformatics. Approaches to treatment of genetic diseases are presented. Legal, ethical, and social aspects of diagnosis and management of genetic disease are discussed. (Peds 511)
Neuroscience
The objective of this course is to provide students with the fundamental concepts, vocabulary, and learning strategies to attain a level of proficiency in basic integrative neurosciences so that they will develop an understanding in the clinical neurosciences throughout their careers as physicians. The course is integrative in the sense that the underlying knowledge of molecular, cellular, physiological, developmental, and neuroanatomical organization of the nervous system is brought together in each lecture block with clinical themes and examples in lectures, and which is further reinforced by clinical correlates given by clinicians. The course emphasizes knowledge of the nervous system using lessons from clinical neuroanatomy, systems neurosciences, and regional and developmental neuroanatomy. (Anatomy 502A)
Patient and Community Engagement 1 (PACE-1) Clerkship
This course is designed to introduce clinical skills to students and integrate basic science training through early exposure to the clinical setting. Training will be accomplished with weekly clinic sessions with a specific preceptor, with reflection sessions to reinforce clinical lessons. Students will be expected to achieve learning objectives in patient care, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, and medical knowledge. (Med Ed 557)
Physiology/Pathophysiology
This course consists of lectures, clinical correlates, hands-on workshops, and small group discussions, covering the classical concepts of medical physiology. Specific topics include hemostasis, blood, neurophysiology, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, exercise, temperature regulation, and sexual physiology. (Physio 543A-B)
Second-Year Curriculum
Clinical Foundations II
Clinical Foundations II, second of the Clinical Foundations series, builds second-year medical students’ clinical skills. Students learn advanced skills in history-taking, physical diagnosis, and clinical reasoning. Clinical didactics sessions synthesize learning in the clinical and basic sciences. The course is comprised mostly of small-group sessions facilitated by our Dean’s Scholars clinical faculty. With these faculty, students work on focused, guided practice of clinical skills that integrates basic science course work. (Med Ed 555A-B)
Behavioral Science II
This clinically oriented course will cover foundational topics in behavioral science and will introduce clinically relevant social issues such as dealing with domestic violence as it presents clinically, treating minority or underserved populations and cultural competence. (Psych 505B)
Medical Ethics, Sociology, and Humanities II (MESH)
The MESH course is designed to teach medical students the social context in which clinical medicine is practiced. The MESH course integrates multiple threads fundamental to understanding the role of the physician within society and the patient-physician relationship including ethics, sociology, and humanities.
General and Systemic Pathology
This course introduces second-year medical students to the basic pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and consequences of disease processes. It also introduces students to the proper use of the clinical laboratory for the diagnosis and management of these diseases. After an introduction to general types of disease processes and principles of laboratory medicine, disease processes are studied further in the context of specific organ systems. (Path 598A-B)
Medical Microbiology
This course covers the biology of infectious agents — including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites — to provide the foundation in microbiology for the subsequent study of infectious diseases. Lectures, small group sessions with clinicians, and laboratory sessions are used to teach the molecular bases of microbial pathogenesis, diagnostic testing, antimicrobial therapy, and prevention strategies. (Mic Bio 507A-B)
Medical Pharmacology
This course covers the various classes of drugs that are used in medicine, particularly those used in specific or symptomatic treatment of disease states. Drugs of abuse are also covered. Emphasis is on the mechanisms of action of drugs at the organ and system level and on their use in medicine. The course includes lectures that illustrate pharmacologic principles, supplemented by small group problem-solving sessions. (Med Ed 517A-B)
Patient and Community Engagement 2 (PACE-2) Clerkship
This course continues the processes of PACE-1 to build students’ clinical skills and create a bridge between the basic and clinical sciences. Training will be accomplished at weekly clinic sessions with a specific preceptor, and during reflection sessions to reinforce clinical lessons. Students will be expected to achieve learning objectives in patient care, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement, and medical knowledge. (Med Ed 558 A-B)
Third-Year Curriculum
Clinical Foundations III
Clinical Foundations III, held at the beginning and Mid way through the third year, provides further preparation for third-year clinical rotations. Additionally, intersessions are planned during the third year to provide integration of clinical material across longitudinal topics that cross several disciplines. This preparation includes, but is not limited to clinical IT training with access to Electronic Medical Records, obtaining privileges at all of the primary clinical sites, discussions on team care, leadership, professionalism, management of assault behavior training, infection prevention, and basic life support. (Med Ed 550)
Surgery Clerkship
The General Surgery clerkship provides students, as members of the surgical team, with an opportunity to study surgical patients in outpatient and hospital settings. Students acquire surgical knowledge, as well as develop skills in taking surgical histories and conducting physical examinations. Emphasis is placed on the clinical evaluation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of surgical diseases. (Surgery 526)
Family Medicine Clerkship
During the Family Medicine clerkship students are matched with a family physician. Students are assigned to a UCI-affiliated clinic where the principles of family medicine and primary care are taught. Emphasis is placed upon exposing students to the most common health care problems seen in family medicine. Students are exposed to the principles of community health and epidemiology, as practically applied in an ambulatory care setting. Students develop an awareness of the current health care delivery environment, including issues such as health care costs and the lifestyle of a family physician. Special teaching sessions on family centered maternity care, health maintenance and nutrition, and musculoskeletal joint exams are part of the experience. (Fam Med 597A)
Internal Medicine Clerkship
The Internal Medicine Clerkship occurs in a highly structured clinical environment in-patient setting. Students gradually assume responsibility for the care of patients, thereby enhancing their clinical, diagnostic, and procedural skills. Clinical vignettes and bedside teaching serve to round out the experience. (Int Med 527A)
Neurology Clerkship
The Neurology clinical clerkship emphasizes the development of skills in taking a neurological history, performing a neurological examination, formulating a differential diagnosis, and proposing a course of management for neurological disorders. Students have the option of further training in Neurosurgery or pediatric sub-specialty rotations. (Neurol 532)
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship
During the Obstetrics and Gynecology clinical clerkship, students are given the opportunity to observe and handle problems in the obstetrical and gynecologic wards, outpatient clinic, labor and delivery suite, and in the operating room. (Ob/Gyn 524)
Pediatrics Clerkship
The Pediatrics clerkship serves as an introduction to general pediatrics. Students rotate on the pediatric inpatient service, pediatric ambulatory settings, and the newborn nursery. During the clerkship, students develop their knowledge and skills in conducting age-appropriate patient histories and physical examinations and developing differential diagnoses and management plans. (Peds 528)
Psychiatry Clerkship
The Psychiatry clerkship provides an opportunity for hands-on experience in the process of recognizing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness using the latest neuropharmacological advances, as well as more traditional psychotherapeutic approaches. Each student participates fully in patient care, clinical teaching, and conferences. (Psych 529)
Radiology Clerkship
The Radiology clerkship offers an introduction to clinical imaging. Emphasis is given to correlate clinical findings and use the imaging modalities for problem-solving and diagnosis and treatment, including an understanding of risk/cost/benefit ration involved in daily clinical practices. (Radio 533)
Fourth-Year Curriculum
Clinical Foundations IV
This is a two-week required course that all fourth-year students take during the final quarter in medical school in preparation for residency training. Intersessions are also planned during the fourth year to help prepare students further for residency. The course includes a resuscitation boot camp and provides an opportunity to obtain an ACLS certification. (Med Ed 535)
Emergency Medicine
This two-week clinical clerkship introduces students to principles of acute care medicine while caring for acutely ill and injured patients. Students have the opportunity to evaluate patients, expand their directed history and physical exam skills, create a broad differential diagnosis, and formulate effective testing and treatment strategies. Active participation in patient care through refinement of procedural skills is largely emphasized and encouraged. (Med Ed 547)
Intensive Care Unit Selective
This is a four-week clinical clerkship offered at one of several UCI affiliated sites. ICU is offered in medicine, anesthesiology, surgery, neurology, and pediatrics. Students function as interns, becoming integral members of the ICU team, and serve as primary caregivers under supervision. (Med Ed 605B, 605G, 630K, 633M, 640E, 660S or 685U)
Senior Acting Internship Selective
Students spend four weeks as acting interns during which time they carry the full ward responsibility of an intern on one-half the number of patients usually carried by an intern. The acting internship is designed to improve clinical competence and to prepare the students for the challenges and demands of the internship. Students may choose between acting internships in family medicine, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, or surgery. (Med Ed 536, 537, 538, 539, 645C, 645F, or 625Q)
Electives
Depending upon their particular interests, needs, and goals, students may take a variety of elective courses during the third and fourth years at UCI Health facilities, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Long Beach Miller Children's Hospital, or Long Beach Memorial. Students may also take their fourth-year elective course work at other approved institutions.
A listing of elective courses and descriptions can be found online here.
All questions regarding the curriculum, electives, or matters of records should be directed to:
University of California, Irvine
School of Medicine
Office of Medical Education
Medical Education Building
Irvine, CA 92697-4089
General information/records: 949-824-5283; Scheduling: 714-456-8462; Curriculum: 949-824-4609.
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy offered by the School of Medicine
The School of Medicine offers graduate study in a wide variety of fields in both basic science and clinical departments, leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Each department or program has a graduate advisor whom students may consult for additional details about the individual programs. Most training takes place within one of the departments, although full facilities and curricular offerings are available to all graduate students in all departments of the School of Medicine. Interdisciplinary study and research are encouraged. The normative time to degree is two years for the master’s degree, and five years for the doctoral degree. A master’s degree is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D. degree.
The departments evaluate applications for admission based on research experience, letters of recommendation, grades, and other relevant qualifications of the applicant. Graduate Record Examination scores are no longer required by the individual programs. Candidates for graduate admission are urged to consult the particular department or program whose faculty and expertise best fit their interests and background.
Students plan their academic program in consultation with the graduate advisor or a faculty committee. Faculty advisors may be changed to meet the needs and interests of the student. Students are encouraged to consult with faculty members with regard to their research and academic interests.
Application information may be obtained by contacting the individual graduate programs or:
University of California, Irvine
Graduate Division
120 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-4611
949-824-6761
http://www.grad.uci.edu
Residency & Fellowship Programs
The UCI School of Medicine attracts outstanding students from prestigious medical schools and talented residents from top-notch training programs nationwide, offering over 70 ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs with more than 750 positions. UCI Medical Center, Tibor Rubin Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital are the integrated training sites for the graduate medical education programs. Inquiries about specific programs should be directed to the Program Director as listed in the Residency & Fellowship Database, published annually by the American Medical Association.
All ACGME-accredited residency and fellowship programs meet the formal standards of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the appropriate specialty boards. The University of California, Irvine (UCI) adheres to the Health Professions Educational Assistance Act of 1976, P.L. 94-484, Section 709, regarding shared-schedule residency training positions.
Anesthesiology
The Anesthesiology Residency Program is an ACGME-accredited, four-year categorical program. The program is dedicated to providing an exceptional educational experience to develop the next generation of board-certified physician anesthesiologists and leaders in the field. The innovative 4U Didactic Program includes Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training, high-fidelity simulations, hands-on workshops, problem-based learning discussions, wellness series, practice management, and professional development. The PGY-1 and CA-1 (PGY-2) years cover the fundamentals of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine to provide a solid foundation on which to build advanced and subspecialty clinical knowledge and skills during the CA-2 (PGY-3) and CA-3 (PGY-4) years. Residents gain broad and diverse clinical experience through rotations at UCI Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Residents also have the opportunity for participation in medical missions, in partnership with faculty, through the Global Outreach Initiative.
Anesthesiology - Critical Care
The one-year ACGME approved fellowship program is designed to provide fellows with the opportunity to fulfill the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) subspecialty requirements for certification in Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine (ACCM). The goal is to develop leaders in the multidisciplinary critical care team, experts in bedside ultrasonography, and strong clinicians grounded in evidence-based medicine. The ACCM fellow will have the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population across different ICUs, providing the most advanced level of care for patients undergoing complex general and cardiovascular surgical procedures, neurosurgical procedures, ventricular assist device implantations, and those who require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The fellowship program offers a robust didactic curriculum incorporating lectures, journal clubs, morbidity and mortality conferences, and case discussions. Additionally, weekly ultrasound workshops provide fellows the skills to perform comprehensive head-to-toe evaluations of the critical care patient. The ACCM fellow also participates in research projects and other scholarly activities within the Division of Critical Care.
Anesthesiology - Pain Medicine
The Pain Medicine Fellowship is an intensive one-year ACGME-accredited multidisciplinary training program. The comprehensive training includes pain assessment, treatment, and management, covering both inpatient and outpatient care, including both adult and pediatric pain medicine, with a special focus on advanced interventional techniques. The fellowship includes hands-on training in interventional neuraxial interventions, neuromodulation techniques, intrathecal drug delivery systems, and peripheral nerve blocks, among other procedures. Fellows work closely with specialists in anesthesiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neuroradiology, palliative care, neurology, primary care, and psychiatry to gain a comprehensive understanding of pain management. The program includes a strong didactic curriculum and participation in scholarly activities is strongly encouraged. Fellows get exposure in practice management and business administration. For candidates with an interest in pain related research, the UCI Center for Pain Wellness has a strong complement of basic and translational researchers with active laboratories in pain related to spinal cord injury and mechanisms of chronic pain.
Dermatology
The Department of Dermatology offers a three-year accredited residency for 15 residents, distributed between three postgraduate years (PGY-2 to PGY-4), with extensive exposure to medical and surgical dermatology, and dermatopathology. Residents rotate through outpatient clinics and inpatient consultation services at UCI, the Veteran Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, and the Children's Hospital of Orange County. The clinical experience includes rotations through specialty clinics which see patients with immunobullous disease, pigmentary disorders, vascular birthmarks, pediatric disorders, hair disorders, vulvar disorders, and melanoma. Additionally, residents receive training specific for the care of immunosuppressed patients and those with a history of solid organ transplant. The surgical curriculum includes extensive training in Mohs surgery, laser techniques, excisional surgery, performance of flaps and grafts, and administration of cosmetic agents. The dermatopathology curriculum includes sign out with attendings, teaching sets, unknown cases, and a complete lecture series. Residents are also active in research and present at local, national, and international meetings.
Dermatologic Surgery
The Department of Dermatology offers a one-year ACGME-accredited subspecialty fellowship with one fellow who rotates through clinics at UCI and the Veteran Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System. The fellow receives extensive training in Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction, the advanced management of skin cancer, laser and light-based device procedures, aesthetic procedures such as neurotoxins and fillers, and other aspects of procedural dermatology. The fellowship offers subspecialty training in a broad range of skin conditions and patient populations.
Emergency Medicine
The Emergency Medicine residency was established in 1988 and has 27 residents, nine for each of three postgraduate years. The UCI Medical Center Emergency Department is a high-acuity, tertiary care, level I trauma, stroke and STEMI receiving center, treating over 67,000 patients annually. We have a diverse patient population with approximately 40% of our patients being LatinX. We treat patients from a variety of socioeconomic statuses including under- and unfunded patients as there is no county hospital in Orange County so UC Irvine functions as the de facto county hospital. We pride ourselves in our trainees learning to be clinically competent emergency physicians who are also taught efficiency and are capable of seeing the high volumes of patients required for emergency medicine physicians. Our department has fellowships and faculty who are particularly passionate about education, ultrasound, simulation, administration/operations, research, informatics and wilderness.
Emergency Medicine - Clinical Informatics
The School of Medicine offers a two-year ACGME-accredited Clinical Informatics fellowship program, which prepares the applicant for board certification in Clinical Informatics. By design, this fellowship is multidisciplinary with collaboration by faculty in multiple medical specialties, Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Science, Children's Hospital Orange County (CHOC), Long Beach Veterans Affair Hospital, and Information Services. The fellowship creates leaders in the field of Clinical Informatics with a strong background in the fundamentals of information technology, change management and process improvement. With this education, the fellow will develop the skillset needed to assess workflow needs, recommend process and technical solutions for a given challenge, and implement information technology tools to facilitate the proposed solution. The program’s educational experiences will consist of rotations, didactic sessions, an independent longitudinal research project, mentorship, and ongoing practice in the fellow’s primary board specialty. Additionally, all fellows are required to conduct a longitudinal research project – chosen by the fellow and with a physician faculty member acting as mentor – during the second year of their fellowship. They will select a project that focuses on their own career objectives and any challenges discovered during their first-year rotations. Resources to support fellow projects will be available from the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (boasting advanced educational facilities with smart classrooms, a multitude of learning studios, simulation labs, and group study/conference rooms), UCI’s extensive onsite and online libraries (Science Library and Grunigen Medical Library), and various product specific resources from UCI's catalog of technology solution vendor partners.
Family Medicine
The Family Medicine Residency Program strives to train excellent clinicians who provide the best patient-centered socially responsible, culturally appropriate, compassionate medical care to our most underserved communities within the context of each individual’s background and environment in a unique academic/community setting. Our values are diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and advocacy for health equity and social justice. We enjoy the advantages of being an integral part of the UCI School of Medicine and have a large and academically prominent faculty, close working relationships with multiple specialties, access to world-class libraries and facilities, and opportunities for rigorous learning experiences. The heart of the family medicine training is the continuity experience at the UCI Family Health Center in Santa Ana, a health professional shortage area (HPSA) with a medically underserved population which consists of more than 70% Latinx. Over 80% of our patients live below the federal poverty level, and approximately 70% have MediCal. The residents also rotate through Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, the Long Beach Veterans’ Administration hospital, Orange County Health Care Agency’s public health clinics as well as the adult jail and the juvenile hall for a full and varied educational experience. The program offers three tracks: Program in Medical Education for the Latinx Community (PRIME-LC), Integrative Medicine for the Underserved, and Sports Medicine.
Family Medicine - Sports Medicine
The Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship is a comprehensive and challenging one-year advanced training program that prepares physicians to deliver compassionate, informed care to a diverse population of patients and athletes. Our Fellowship is housed within the Department of Family Medicine, with rotations at UCI and one off-site clinical experience. The primary goal of our program is to train Fellows in a diverse clinical and team-based environments, providing effective musculoskeletal care for all populations, from youth to elderly. Teaching and leadership skills in healthcare are also taught to prepare our graduates to thrive in diverse career paths, ranging from academics to elite sports. Fellows will work with continuity attendings on a weekly basis in Primary Care Sports Medicine as well as have rotational experiences in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Trauma, Hand and Foot Surgery, MSK Radiology, Pediatric Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy and other specialties as related to Sports Medicine. Fellows will have regular training room coverage with UCI Athletics and work in event coverage in the community.
Internal Medicine
The Internal Medicine Residency Program is a traditional three-year training program and also sponsors a one-year preliminary medicine program in addition the ABIM certified research pathway. The program focuses on core educational skills of the internist and offers training to ensure our residents have access to a broad array of career options including hospitalist medicine, primary care, and subspecialty training. Residents rotate through UCI Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Core program faculty have a special interest in academic internal medicine and education. Subspecialty fellowships are offered in basic and clinical allergy/immunology, cardiology, endocrinology and metabolic diseases, gastroenterology, geriatrics, hematology/oncology, infectious disease, nephrology, palliative care, pulmonary/critical care, and rheumatology.
Internal Medicine - Allergy & Immunology
The Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology offers a two-year ACGME-accredited fellowship training in Allergy and Immunology. Our program provides comprehensive, evidence-based diagnosis and management of allergic and immunologic disorders in diverse patient populations and prepares physicians to become world-class allergists and immunologists. Our well-balanced curriculum includes clinical experience, teaching opportunities, and academic and scholarly activities with a strong emphasis on clinical immunology. The program consists of two core training sites—UCI Medical Center and Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System. In addition, our fellows have clinical rotations at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Electives in subspecialty training include Rheumatology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, and Pulmonology. Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical and basic research projects actively.
Internal Medicine - Cardiology
The three-year teaching program provided by the ACGME-approved Cardiovascular Disease fellowship program is comprised of 18 general cardiology trainees. These fellows rotate through three institutions: UCI Medical Center, Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, which provides additional training and experience in various cardiology subspecialties. UCI’s program in cardiovascular disease adheres to training standards according to ACGME core competencies. The Cardiovascular Disease program is dedicated to teaching using didactic lectures/conferences four to five times a week by visiting cardiology physicians, faculty or fellows on recent developments in catheterization methods, electrophysiology, ECG case studies, nuclear cardiology, cardiac CT and MRI, echocardiography, and other subspecialty topics. Fellows also gain experience in managing advanced heart failure including mechanical circulatory support, both temporary and permanent, in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. The fellows take part in weekly outpatient continuity clinics offering direct interaction between fellows with faculty members as well as ambulatory rotations including subspecialties. All cardiology fellows have protected research time during their three-year fellowship. During training, many fellows will achieve advanced competencies. UCI Fellows are prepared and pass the nuclear cardiology and echocardiography board exams during the training period. At the end of their training, fellows function as independent and competent consultants, with level II certification in core areas of cardiology.
Internal Medicine - Geriatric Medicine
The Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program is a comprehensive and challenging one-year advanced training program that prepares physicians to deliver compassionate, informed care to a diverse aging population. The clinical opportunities allow Geriatric Medicine Fellows to explore both the depth and breadth of Geriatric Medicine through longitudinal primary care experiences and rotations in a variety of subspecialty clinical settings. The heart of our Fellowship is at UCI Medical Center’s Senior Health Center in Orange, where Fellows have their consultation clinics and participate in the Health Assessment Program for Seniors (HAPS) clinic. Continuity clinics for Fellows take place either in Orange or at our newest location in Laguna Hills. Fellows work with a continuity attending on a weekly basis, learning the art and medicine of Geriatric ambulatory care. Some of the subspecialty rotations at UCI include Memory Disorders, Neurology, Palliative Care and Hospice, Subacute Care, Urogynecology and more. At Tibor Rubin Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach, Fellows participate in the Geriatric Evaluation Management (GEM) clinic, an interdisciplinary program which assesses the medical and psychosocial status of frail older patients. The goal is to optimize each military veteran’s health, function and ability to live with the greatest degree of independence possible. The LBVA offers Community Living Center (CLC), Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), inpatient and outpatient Geropsychiatry, Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Our program is affiliated with multiple skilled nursing facilities, as well as the country’s first Elder Abuse Forensic Center. Our program also offer electives in Integrative Medicine, community resources or additional experiences in any of the above rotations.
Internal Medicine - Interventional Cardiology
The Interventional Cardiology Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-approved program designed to train fellows in the use of percutaneous interventional techniques for the management of coronary, peripheral vascular and structural heart/valvular heart disease. The training includes didactic conferences, weekly case conferences, and individual fellow and faculty clinical patient reviews (pre- and post-procedure) to discuss risk, benefit, results, treatment strategies, and complications. Fellow experience is very individualized with one-on-one faculty interactions for each procedure. Trainees also assist in teaching general cardiology fellows, medicine residents, and other student groups. The fellowship functions as an integral component of the subspecialty residency in cardiology and the categorical residency program in internal medicine. During the year of interventional training, fellows are expected to master the techniques involved in coronary intervention, while developing perspective on procedural risk and benefit, patient selection, and clinical decision-making in cardiovascular patient care. At the end of the year, fellows should function as independent operators during interventional procedures. The program adheres to the tenets outlined in the ACC COCATS guidelines document and the AHA statement on clinical competency in interventional cardiology. Fellows share their time at the UCI Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and the Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital.
Internal Medicine - Endocrinology
The UCI-VA Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship is a two-year ACGME-accredited program that prepares trainees to become outstanding clinicians and educators in endocrinology.
Fellows care for diverse patient populations across a variety of inpatient and outpatient medical settings. Principal training sites include UCI Medical Center in Orange and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach. Fellows also rotate through UCI Health community clinics and at Children's Hospital of Orange County.
The fellowship consists of two fellows per class for a total of four fellows per year. Fellows rotate monthly through one of four blocks: UCI Inpatient, VA Inpatient, Ambulatory, and Research. Fellows develop clinical expertise in all areas of endocrinology, including diabetes and obesity management, thyroid cancer and thyroid disorders, pituitary and neuroendocrine disorders, adrenal gland disorders, reproductive endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disorders, and gender-affirming care. By completion of fellowship, trainees are also adept at management of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, thyroid ultrasound and ultrasound-guided thyroid biopsy, and bone densitometry interpretation.
In addition to clinical training, each Wednesday morning is dedicated to didactics, which include a weekly problem-based lecture series, core faculty lecture series, board review, and grand rounds. Fellows also take part in journal club and in interdisciplinary pituitary and thyroid tumor boards.
The UCI Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Fellowship, along with UCI School of Medicine and UCI Health, is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels, from recruitment to patient care. We are committed to training the next generation of clinicians and educators who will provide exemplary care to all patients.
Internal Medicine - Gastroenterology
The Gastroenterology fellowship training program is a three-year training program and has 12 gastroenterology fellows. The program focuses on core skills of the gastroenterologist including endoscopy, inpatient consultations, outpatient consultations, and chronic care of GI and liver conditions. The fellows also gain experience with a wide variety of GI related procedures, including outpatient endoscopic procedures, capsule endoscopy, motility studies, and complex advance endoscopic procedures. Fellows rotate through UCI Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System. Clinical research is an essential component of the fellowship. Fellows will work closely with faculty to complete a clinical research project prior to graduation. The program offers training to ensure fellows have access to a broad array of career options including community private practice, group practice, and academic medicine. Core program faculty have a special interest in academic gastroenterology, endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease, high-risk colon cancer, GI motility, and hepatology.
Internal Medicine - Hematology Oncology
The Division of Hematology/Oncology offers a rigorous three-year accredited fellowship program that emphasizes intensive theoretical training and a broad spectrum of clinical experience with the goal of preparing highly skilled hematologists and oncologists for careers in both clinical and academic medicine as clinical investigators. The division's fellowship is conducted in concert with UCI's prestigious Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of 51 U.S. comprehensive cancer centers designated for excellence by the National Cancer Institute. The multidisciplinary cancer center at UCI Medical Center is supported by more than 100 UCI faculty members from five schools and 23 departments. The division's faculty members serve patients with hematologic and oncologic disorders at the medical center and at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System. Throughout fellowship, hematology/oncology fellows function as primary longitudinal caregivers to a panel of patients and serve as consultants directing the management of large numbers of patients under the supervision and guidance of faculty physicians. The three-year combined hem/onc program is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is recognized by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
Internal Medicine - Hospice and Palliative Medicine
The Palliative Medicine Fellowship is a one-year, ACGME-accredited program. The fellows spend the clinical training year at multiple sites including UCI Medical Center, Hoag Memorial Hospital, VITAS Hospice, Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Miller Children's Hospital at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. The training includes inpatient palliative medicine consultation, outpatient palliative care clinic, an inpatient hospice unit, community hospice, pediatric hospice and palliative care, long-term care, and integrative medicine. Examples of available electives include interventional pain management, pediatric pain management, long-term acute care, administrative medicine, and neurocritical care.
Internal Medicine - Infectious Disease
The Division of Infectious Diseases offers a two-year fellowship which is accredited by the ACGME. The Fellowship offers a wide range of experiences including inpatient consultations, outpatient clinics, research, clinical microbiology, antibiotic stewardship and infection control and prevention. The two main teaching hospitals are the UCI Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System. The patient population is ethnically and socioeconomically diverse and fellows manage a wide variety of disease processes. Fellows who demonstrate an early interest in research may consider a third research year of fellowship. This well-established program began in 1971 and has graduated many successful clinicians and academicians over the past 45+ years.
Internal Medicine - Nephrology
The Division of Nephrology and Hypertension is committed to providing exemplary care for patients with a variety of kidney diseases. The program has earned UCI Medical Center recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top 50 hospitals for nephrology services. The program is heavily engaged in cutting-edge research and education, and leads in kidney disease research nationally and internationally in several arenas. The two-year ACGME-approved fellowship program offers fellows, residents, and medical students valuable experience in treating patients with a broad range of renal diseases and extensive didactic core lectures, grand rounds, seminars, and journal clubs. Research experience is an integral part of the educational program. Fellows are given protected time to pursue research projects under the guidance of dedicated faculty, and many research opportunities are available for interested students and residents.
Internal Medicine - Pulmonary and Critical Care
The Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship is a fully accredited three-year program designed to train clinicians to deliver high-quality, skilled care to patients. The highly competitive program, run by leading interventional pulmonologists, provides selected fellows with clinical research career opportunities in academic pulmonary and critical care. In addition to assuring competency and proficiency in medical care, the program's goal is to help fellows achieve independence and confidence in all clinical, academic, and educational endeavors.
Internal Medicine - Rheumatology
The Division of Rheumatology offers a highly competitive, two-year fellowship program that provides extensive clinical training in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders. The program's focus is to train fellows to be clinically excellent regardless of what their future career path may be. The program is accredited for six fellows by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and is based at two sites: the UCI Medical Center, Orange County's only academic medical center, and the Long Beach Veterans Administrative Hospital. Fellows see a diverse and complex patient population with frequent presentations of Lupus, Myositis and Vasculitis at the University and Gout, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis at the VA. All fellows are exposed to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, and the majority of fellows have completed the Ultrasound certification course by the American College of Rheumatology.
Neurological Surgery
The Residency Program in Neurosurgery is a rigorous training program designed to develop academic neurosurgeons. There are ample opportunities for both clinical and basic research within the Department and in collaboration with other laboratories or departments at UCI. Applicants are expected to have a strong academic record with a strong commitment to neurosurgery. The program participates in the NRMP match program to select two candidates every other year and one candidate the years in between. Exact order of clinical rotations may vary slightly subject to the trainee’s interest in neurosurgery subspecialty; however, the rotation generally proceeds as follows: the PGY-1 year consists of thirteen (13), four (4) week blocks. There are six (6) blocks of neurosurgery rotation, one (1) block of ENT rotation, one (1) block of neurology rotation, one (1) block of ACS/trauma rotation, one (1) block of elective rotation (Neuropathology and Neuroradiology), and three (3) blocks of neurocritical care rotation; PGY-2 is one year of training at UCI Medical Center assigned to neurosurgery service; PGY-3 is a nine-month rotation at UCI Medical Center, followed by a three-month elective (Interventional Radiology and stereotactic radiosurgery) at UCI Medical Center; PGY-4 is a six-month rotation at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and a six-month rotation at Tibor Rubin Veterans Affairs Medical Center; PGY-5 has an option of either a research year or a 12-month subspecialty training (i.e. enfolded fellowship); PGY-6 is the chief resident year and will be at UCI Medical Center; PGY-7 is an enfolded fellowship, research year or elective rotations (Endovascular, Spine, Skull Base, Pediatrics).
Neurology
Neurology residency training focuses on the development of strong clinical skills to competently evaluate and treat the large number of disorders that afflict the nervous system. During three years of training at UCI, residents have the opportunity to see a wide variety of neurological conditions and receive progressively more responsibility. The program provides a rich, intellectually stimulating environment in which to learn. UCI Neurology faculty all have broad experience caring for neurological disorders and have special expertise in different neurological disciplines. Residents have opportunities to work in many different subspecialty areas with the faculty. The neurology residency program is big enough to provide a rich environment to learn about neurological disorders, yet remains small enough for residents to work closely with each faculty member. Residents are encouraged to learn at every opportunity: from patients, peers, the faculty, and visiting experts. There are many formats in which to learn, from bedside discussions, tutorials, to specially prepared lectures. To further stimulate intellectual growth, residents are actively encouraged to pursue research in any topic of their choosing, with the guidance of the faculty.
Neurology - Clinical Neurophysiology
The Department of Neurology offers a one-year fellowship program in Clinical Neurophysiology, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program is a joint fellowship between the UCI Medical Center (UCIMC) and the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and both Adult and Pediatric positions are offered.
The Adult position is open to trainees who will complete an adult neurology residency program prior to starting the fellowship. Seven months at UCIMC are dedicated to the primary emphasis on adult routine and inpatient video EEG, as well as electrocorticography and functional brain mapping. Fellows also spend two months rotating at CHOC, gaining experience in pediatric epilepsy and EEG. In addition, there are two elective months, which may be used to obtain experience in electropyography (EMG) or intraoperative monitoring. Clinical research opportunities are available.
The Pediatric position is open to trainees who will complete a child neurology residency program prior to starting the fellowship. The structure is analogous to the Adult position; seven months are spent at CHOC for primary emphasis on pediatric epilepsy and EEG, three months are spent at UCIMC on the adult epilepsy/EEG side, and two elective months are provided as for the Adult position.
Neurology - Epilepsy
We offer a one-year Fellowship program in Epilepsy, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program is a joint fellowship between UCIMC (UC Irvine Medical Center) and CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County), and both Adult and Pediatric positions are offered.
The Adult position is open to trainees who will complete an adult neurology residency program prior to starting the fellowship. Seven months at UCIMC are dedicated to the primary emphasis on adult routine and inpatient video EEG, as well as electrocorticography and functional brain mapping. Fellows also spend 2 months rotating at CHOC, gaining experience in pediatric epilepsy and EEG. In addition, there are 3 elective months, which may be used to obtain experience in intraoperative monitoring. Clinical research opportunities are available.
The Pediatric position is open to trainees who will complete a child neurology residency program prior to starting the fellowship. The structure is analogous to the Adult position: 7 months are spent at CHOC for primary emphasis on pediatric epilepsy and EEG, 2 months are spent at UCIMC on the adult epilepsy/EEG side, and 3 elective months are provided as for the Adult position.
Neurology - Neuromuscular
The Fellowship provides comprehensive training in neuromuscular disorders, including the diagnosis and clinical management of inherited and acquired neuromuscular disorders (general neuromuscular diseases, neuropathy, muscular dystrophies, ALS and myasthenia gravis), training in electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG, single fiber EMG, quantitative sensory testing and autonomic testing), as well as nerve and muscle biopsy analysis. Given the number of patients seen in the center and weekly half-day teaching sessions in place (didactic neuromuscular lectures, review of interesting EMG cases from the week, and muscle/nerve pathology), the fellowship provides a great opportunity for well-versed education and training in Neuromuscular medicine.
Neurology - Stroke and Vascular Neurology Fellowship
We offer 2 positions in our one-year fellowship in Vascular Neurology accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The training is based at UC Irvine Medical Center, the first and only academic Joint Commission-Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Orange County, California. The hospital has a dedicated Neuroscience ICU and a Neuroscience Step-Down Unit serving as the Stroke Unit for acute stroke care, as well as an acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. The hospital is equipped with advanced neuroimaging capabilities including 3-tesla MRI and 64-slice CT scanners with 24/7/365 access, as well as neurointerventional capabilities. The fellowship provides a comprehensive training in cerebrovascular disorders with a balanced curriculum to meet both the accreditation requirements as well as each Fellow's individual career interests. The Fellows will have access to a faculty comprised of 5 fellowship-trained board-certified Vascular Neurologists, 5 board-certified neurointensivists, 3 neurointerventionalists, 3 cerebrovascular neurosurgeons, as well as 3 vascular surgeons. In addition to inpatient stroke and neurocritical care rotations, the Fellows will be able to rotate on a variety of other electives including neuroradiology, neurointerventional, and stroke rehabilitation services. Numerous other electives in other non-cerebrovascular-related neurologic subspecialties can be arranged congruent to each Fellow's career interests. The Fellows will also spend one half-day per week in the outpatient UCI Stroke Clinic providing outpatient continuity of care and sharpening the skills needed in the outpatient management of patients with cerebrovascular conditions. UC Irvine serves as a NIH StrokeNet site, and as such Fellows have the opportunity to participate as co-principal investigators in multiple NIH-sponsored and industry sponsored clinical trials. Additionally other robust research opportunities are available for Fellows to develop clinical and bench research during their training. Lastly, the Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in teaching and education of a spectrum of trainees at different levels of training at UC Irvine Medical Center.
Obstetrics & Gynecology
The four-year program provides a solid foundation in Obstetrics and Gynecology with emphasis in the reproductive pathophysiology in the many different areas of women’s health care. Based on this foundation, training continues with progressive resident responsibility for operative and medical management and surgical techniques. While predominantly clinical in scope, the program is strongly flavored by academic and research exposure. Training is provided in general obstetrics and gynecology with rotations in the subspecialties of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Family Planning and Reproductive Endocrinology, and Infertility. There are seven resident positions available each year in this four-year training program.
Obstetrics & Gynecology - Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS)
The Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery (URPS) Fellowship in the Division of Urogynecology in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This is a three-year fellowship program with training taking place at UCI and two affiliate sites. Fellows rotate with Colorectal Surgery and Urology. Post baccalaureate courses and a Masters Degree in clinical research are offered. Fellows are given opportunities to participate in clinical, translational and basic science research. Surgical training focuses on vaginal, laproscopic, and robotic approaches to pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence, sacral nerve modulation, fistula repair, and office procedures. Global health outreach is encouraged.
Obstetrics & Gynecology - Gynecologic Oncology
The Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Training Program in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology is a three-year program designed to produce clinician-scientists with expertise in the surgical and oncologic management of gynecologic cancers. Additional areas of focus are on clinical trials, drug development, translational research, and population statistics. The fellowship experience includes 12 dedicated months of translational research during which time trainees develop a thesis in either the Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry in the School of Biological Sciences or in the Department of Epidemiology. The remaining 24 months are dedicated to graduated responsibility in clinical training at three diverse training sites: the Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, the Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and Douglas Hospital at the UCI Medical Center. Fellows receive extensive training in cytoreductive surgery, radical surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and restorative surgery. They are also immersed in the delivery and management of chemotherapy and targeted therapy, and radiation therapy planning. Fellows are often listed as co-investigators on NRG Oncology and industry-sponsored clinical trials. Enrichment activities include integrated experiences in palliative care, critical care, pathology, and cancer genetics. Fellows are also encouraged to establish and pursue early career interests. Academic retention is a priority and is supported. Many graduates of this program currently hold leadership positions in major academic centers throughout the country and abroad. The Fellowship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
UCI offers a three-year fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program provides a well-rounded curriculum that balances clinical experiences, teaching opportunities, and academic and scientific activities. The program offers variety and depth due to the diversity of the three training sites—UCI Medical Center, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and St. Joseph Hospital. The care of high-risk pregnancy seen through the hospitals represents a cross-section of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups from a local population of more than 2.5 million. These sites represent a broad-spectrum of perinatal practice and offer excellent opportunities to learn and teach. Clinical and basic science research conducted by the faculty gives the fellow the ability to gain skills in scientific investigation. The program’s superb physical environment, extraordinary clinical services, and varied research interests permit the faculty to carry out the mission of preparing fellows for a career in clinical or academic MFM.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program is based in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in the Department of Medicine. It is intended for physicians who are seeking certification by the American Board of Preventive Medicine in the field of Occupational Medicine. A prerequisite to participation is a minimum of one year of postgraduate clinical training in an accredited United States or Canadian primary care program. The program generally prefers entering residents to have completed a three-year primary care residency or the equivalent. The objective of the program is to train physicians to be specialists and leaders in the fields of occupational and environmental medicine. During the two-year program, residents are provided academic foundation in occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, environmental toxicology, and epidemiology. As part of this program, residents complete a Master of Science degree program in Environmental Health Sciences and complete a research thesis as part of the residency program. The program also includes extensive didactic and clinical training and field experience in occupational health and safety, interdisciplinary seminars, and a journal club in environmental and occupational medicine. Upon completion of training, the resident is qualified to enter the specialty practice of occupational medicine as a consultant or in an occupational medicine specialty practice, workplace setting, government agency, or academic institution. For more information on the program and the application process, please visit https://www.medicine.uci.edu/occupational/residency.asp
Ophthalmology
The Ophthalmology residency program at the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute follows the joint preliminary year/ophthalmology format which is 12 months of education in the same institution’s preliminary year program followed by 36 months in our program. There is an agreement in place with UC Irvine Internal Medicine Residency Program to accept our incoming PGY-2 residents as their PGY-1 and to provide them with 12 weeks of ophthalmology. Our program provides extensive clinical, surgical, and research training experiences. The education includes a robust weekly didactic curriculum. Trainees are exposed to a broad spectrum of disease with high volume surgical experience in the full range of ophthalmology subspecialties. Residents rotate in cornea and refractive surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, oculoplastic and orbital surgery, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, ophthalmic pathology, uveitis, and neuro-ophthalmology, in addition to comprehensive ophthalmology. Trainees are exposed to diverse patient populations at various sites including Long Beach Veterans Affairs, UCI Medical Center, and the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, a 70,000 square foot facility dedicated to ophthalmic patient care, surgery, and education. For more information, please visit https://ophthalmology.uci.edu/education/residency
Orthopaedic Surgery
The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery offers a five-year ACGME accredited residency program and currently accepts four residents each year. The program is designed to provide intense exposure, experience, and education in the subspecialties of orthopaedics: trauma/fracture care, reconstructive/joint replacement surgery, sports medicine, pediatric orthopaedics, as well as spine, foot and ankle, shoulder, and hand surgery. Exposure to non-operative and rehabilitative orthopaedic care is also provided. The program is structured for maximum resident participation with an emphasis on mentorship, didactic teaching, and supervised graduated autonomy in both the outpatient and the surgical setting. Clinical and basic science research opportunities are available, and resident participation in these academic endeavors are an integral component of the residency. The program’s primary site, UCI Medical Center, is the only Level I academic medical center in Orange County, serving over 3 million residents. Other sites include the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Long Beach and Miller’s Children’s Hospital. Following completion of the orthopaedic residency program, residents are prepared to sit for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certification exams and proceed to a subspecialty fellowship or enter into orthopaedic practice.
Orthopaedic Surgery - Hand Surgery
The Hand Surgery Fellowship provides comprehensive training not only in hand surgery, but also in upper extremity surgery and microsurgery. The one-year ACGME accredited fellowship is based at the UCI Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Long Beach, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. The two fellows rotate with multiple fellowship-trained hand surgeons from both the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. These rotations provide a very high volume of acute trauma and post-traumatic reconstruction of the entire upper extremity, including the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder; in addition to a diverse spectrum of nerve problems, brachial plexus, congenital anomalies, arthritis, and arthroscopy. Fellows gain extensive experience not only in replantation, but also in elective microsurgical reconstruction including toe-to-hand transfers, limb salvage for malignant tumors and soft-tissue coverage, and bony reconstruction of both the upper and lower extremities. Fellows receive one-on-one supervision in the operating room and outpatient clinics, but can also develop their own independent responsibility allowing them to supervise orthopaedic surgery and plastic surgery residents rotating on a combined Hand Service. There is a weekly didactic teaching conference, a monthly journal club, anatomical dissections in a fresh frozen cadaver facility, and an introductory microsurgical course.
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
The Department of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery offers a five-year residency program providing comprehensive training in otolaryngology and prepares trainees to sit for the American Board of Otolaryngology Examinations. The program provides a breadth and depth of training, with multiple subspecialists in general and pediatric otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, neurotology and lateral skull base surgery, rhinology and anterior skull base surgery, laryngology, sleep medicine, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. As part of their training, residents are given 4 months of dedicated research time to pursue a variety of clinical, translational, and basic science research projects. Residents receive an extensive clinical experience at four different hospitals and practice settings, including UCI Medical Center, Children’s Health of Orange County, Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, and Kaiser Foundation Hospital-Anaheim and Irvine. Our residents graduate well-trained and ideally positioned either to enter further training in the fellowship of their choice or to start practicing general otolaryngology.
Pathology AP/CP
The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine offers a four-year ACGME-accredited Anatomic Pathology/Clinical Pathology residency training program. Fellowships are offered in cytopathology, gastrointestinal pathology, hematopathology, neuropathology, selective surgical pathology, and genitourinary pathology. The primary goals of the Pathology Residency Training Program are to provide the education and support necessary to deliver high-quality patient care and prepare pathologists-in-training to achieve their full potential in a variety of subspecialties and career settings.
Pathology - Cytopathology
The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the UC Irvine Medical Center offers a one-year ACGME-accredited Cytopathology Fellowship Program. The Program is designed to provide comprehensive training in diagnostic cytology including fine needle aspiration biopsy with surgical pathology and clinical correlation. Training will be provided in both gynecologic and non-gynecologic materials including interpretation of fine needle aspiration biopsied. Fellows are also responsible for the cytology conference, a research project, the cytopathology review courses and on-site evaluation of biopsy procedures. In addition to cytopathology responsibilities, fellows will participate in surgical pathology cases of subspecialties and multidisciplinary tumor boards. They are exposed to research opportunities that are available in cytopathology, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry/image analysis.
Pathology - Hematopathology
The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the UC Irvine Medical Center offers a one-year ACGME-accredited Fellowship position in Hematopathology. The Program is designed to provide comprehensive training in diagnostic hematopathology and laboratory hematology including morphologic evaluation of peripheral blood smears, body fluids, bone marrow, lymph nodes and other tissue, performance of bone marrow procedure, interpretation of laboratory hematology, coagulation, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, chromosomal and molecular cytogenetics and molecular diagnostics. The fellow is trained and serves as the primary consultant for the hematology laboratory mainly in the UCI Medical Center with approximately 1,400,000 hematology and coagulation tests per year and more than 2,500 hematopathology cases including bone marrow, flow cytometry, lymph nodes, other tissue and referral/consultation cases. The fellow is also provided with the learning opportunities at Children's Hospital of Orange County for pediatric hematopathology and conducting scholarly and research activities in the broad field of hematopathology.
Pathology - Neuropathology
The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at UC Irvine Medical Center offers a two-year ACGME-accredited Neuropathology Fellowship. MD/DO candidates who have completed two years of an ACGME-accredited anatomic pathology training are eligible and welcome to apply. Academically oriented candidates are particularly encouraged. The first year will be primarily clinical neuropathology encompassing a gamut of surgical and autopsy neuropathology cases including frozen sections, and neuromuscular pathology. The second year is mostly dedicated to research but allows for junior attending opportunities as well as pediatric neuropathology, forensic neuropathology, and ophthalmic pathology rotations. Neuropathologists on faculty include Drs. Edwin Monuki (developmental), Ronald Kim (general, dementia, spinal cord), William Yong (general, autopsy, brain tumors, frozen section, biobanking), Mari Perez-Rosendahl (brain tumors, general, frozen section, neuromuscular) and Matthew Rose (Developmental, frozen section). We enjoy highly collegial neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, and neurologists. Dr. Perez-Rosendahl and Professor Tahseen Mozaffar of the Department of Neurology specialize in neuromuscular pathology. An additional neurodegenerative neuropathologist is being recruited. The close cooperation with the Neuromuscular Medicine team and therefore excellent clinical correlation is an especial strength of the neuromuscular pathology training. In addition, UC Irvine hosts an outstanding annual international neuromuscular colloquium. Cases from the UC Irvine Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, encompassing diseases of the globe, orbit, eyelids, and conjunctival membranes, will be studied under the tutelage of Dr. Maria Del Valle Estopinal, the departmental ophthalmic pathologist who is also an ophthalmologist by training. In addition to UCI cases, fellows’ study pediatric neuropathology cases on a rotation at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Translation research interests include neuro-oncology, Down syndrome, and neuromuscular pathology. Autopsy neuropathology training is supplemented by 3 funded programs: 1) UC Irvine Alzheimer Disease Research Center that encourages research into the pathogenesis of different types of dementia; 2) Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium – Down syndrome (ABC-DS), a signature NIA program, which is actively engaged in research into Alzheimer disease pathogenesis in Down syndrome; and 3) BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network- an NIH effort to map molecular features of brain cells by region. Basic neuroscience research opportunities include choroid plexus biology (Dr. Edwin Monuki), neurodegeneration therapeutics (Dr. Albert LaSpada, Director of the UCI Neurotherapeutics Institute), and Down Syndrome (Dr. Elizabeth Head, Director of the UCI Experimental Pathology Program). Additional strengths are dedicated Artificial Intelligence (Dr. Jana Lipkova, Dr. Pratik Shah) and biomarker development (Dr. Abraham Qavi) faculty in the department. Please contact Dr. William Yong at yongwh@uci.edu for information or to apply.
Pediatrics
The Pediatric Residency Program emphasizes the interrelationship of patient care, didactic teaching, and research in the training of the pediatric resident physician. The focus is on the total care of the child from birth through young adulthood. A strong clinical and educational foundation is provided through experiences in a broad spectrum of disease and/or injury as well as training in biosocial pediatrics, preventive health care, and community resources. The program offers variety and depth due to the diversity of the Department’s major teaching hospitals—Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Miller Children’s & Women's Hospital (located at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center), and UCI Medical Center. The faculty at these institutions provide a comprehensive teaching program in general pediatrics and cover the full range of pediatric subspecialties. The care of children seen through the three hospitals represents a cross-section of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups from a local population of more than 2.5 million. Thus, pediatric residents are exposed to a wide range of problems presented in settings ranging from intensive care to supervised office-based practice.
Pediatric Child Neurology
The Child Neurology Residency is offered as a combined program in conjunction with the Pediatrics Residency Program. After completing two years of pediatric training, residents will do three years of training in child neurology, as per the training guidelines of the ABPN. The program offers a clinically focused curriculum with extensive didactic and bedside teaching in addition to plentiful research opportunities. As per ACGME requirements, residents have 12 months of adult neurology training, 12 months of clinical child neurology, and approximately 12 months of elective rotations. Residents complete the majority of their training at the UCI Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Orange County with additional outpatient rotations at various locations including the Long Beach VA and the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center. Faculty are all board-certified in child neurology and many of the faculty have subspecialty training and board certification in additional specialties such as epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology, sleep medicine, brain injury, headaches, neuromuscular disease, and movement disorders. For additional information: https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/child-neurology-residency/
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
The Pediatric Critical Care Medicine fellowship program is a three-year ACGME accredited fellowship based at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). The fellowship program prepares highly skilled Pediatric Intensivists for careers in both clinical and academic medicine. CHOC has a long history of training excellent Pediatric Critical Care fellows, and with a 30-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and a 12-bed Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) that jointly has over 2,000 admissions per year, CHOC provides Pediatric Critical Care fellows with a broad range of clinical exposure. For more information about the fellowship program, visit https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/choc-pediatric-critical-care-medicine-fellowship-program/.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
The University of California Irvine/CHOC Children’s Hospital (UCI/CHOC) Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program is a three year ACGME-accredited program based at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Pediatric trained fellows also rotate at UC Irvine Medical Center and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for their adult rotations. Our mission is to prepare our fellows for careers as outstanding clinicians, leaders in academic medicine, and contributors to research that will advance the field of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM). Pediatric residency trained fellows will complete a 3 year fellowship and emergency medicine trained fellows a 2 year fellowship. CHOC Children’s Hospital Emergency Department sees >100,000 patients per year and is the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center in Orange County. For more information about the fellowship program, visit https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/pediatric-emergency-medicine-fellowship/.
Pediatric Endocrinology
The UCI/CHOC Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program offers a three-year training program in a fully accredited, university-based fellowship program. CHOC Children's is a community-based hospital in the heart of Southern California (Orange, California) and serves as the main clinical teaching site. CHOC Children's is a free-standing children’s hospital that has national recognition for providing patients with first-class care in state-of-the-art facilities. CHOC is an extensive healthcare system featuring the main hospital in Orange and a referral place for specialty care from at least 14 primary care health centers, community clinics, and mobile health vans. UCI/CHOC also provides top-notch medical education to students, pediatrics residents and other fellowships.
The endocrine and diabetes program aims to prepare fellows for careers as leaders in clinical or academic medicine through a superior academic and professional atmosphere. The program includes a year of largely clinical training in a high-volume inpatient and outpatient setting, followed by two years of basic science, clinical or translational research. The program is designed to meet the ACGME requirements for fellowship training, so fellows may be successful and eligible for board certification. The program aims to provide the fellow with:
· Structured one-on-one mentoring to help guide their chosen career path
· Opportunities for conducting and presenting research (basic science, translational, clinical and educational) as well as quality improvement projects
· Promoting a collaborative culture and ensuring protection to the fellow to ensure wellness and minimize “burnout” amidst creating resilience
· Experience to provide patient-centered, evidence-based, high quality and innovative care to patients and their families
For more information, visit https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/uci-choc-pediatric-endocrinology-fellowship-program/.
Pediatric - Medical Genetics and Genomics
UCI offers two ACGME-accredited Medical Genetics and Genomics clinical training programs:
- A two-year categorical Clinical Genetics/Genomics program that requires prior satisfactory completion of 24 months of ACGME-accredited residency training in a specialty other than Medical Genetics. After successful completion of the Genetics program, trainees can apply for active candidacy to take the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMG) examinations.
- A four-year combined Pediatrics/Clinical Genetics/Genomics residency that can be entered after completion of medical school and that devotes 24 core months to Pediatrics, 18 core months to Clinical Genetics, and 6 months applicable to both specialties. The first year is spent in pediatrics in direct patient care experiences, the next 30 months alternate between Pediatrics and Medical Genetics for periods of 6 months each, and the last 6 months comprise an individualized study curriculum applicable to both specialties and/or research. After successful completion of the combined program, trainees can apply for active candidacy to take both the Pediatrics and the Medical Genetics and Genomics board examinations.
In each of the programs, the Clinical Genetics and Genomics curriculum comprises a minimum of 18 months of broad-based, clinically-oriented medical genetics activities, including inpatient consultations; outpatient prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer genetics, metabolic genetics, and specialty clinics, and clinical laboratory rotations in cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and metabolic genetics. The curriculum also includes didactic courses (basic concepts, cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics, quantitative genetics, genetic screening, human teratology, clinical and prenatal genetics, clinical biochemical genetics, clinical molecular genetics and bioinformatics, hereditary cancer risk counseling, ethical issues in human genetics, genetic counseling, and research methods), weekly clinical teaching and patient followup conferences, and journal club. The combined program also includes additional extensive clinical and didactic curricula in Pediatrics. Training occurs in three large teaching hospitals: UCI Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, and Miller Children’s Hospital/Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Both the categorical and the combined programs include research time and, to a large extent, an individualized curriculum.
The Clinical Genetics and Genomics training programs include exceptional evaluation and management opportunities with a culturally, socioeconomically, and medically diverse patient population and extensive individual teaching interactions with faculty. Clinical and basic science research conducted by faculty provides trainees with opportunities to develop skills and gain experience in scientific investigation.
Pediatric Hematology Oncology
The Pediatric Hematology Oncology fellowship program is a three-year ACGME accredited fellowship based at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. The fellowship program prepares highly skilled pediatric hematologists and oncologists for careers in both clinical and academic medicine. The fellowship program is designed to educate and support future clinical investigators who plan to dedicate their professional careers to clinical or laboratory research in hematology and oncology.
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
The UCI/CHOC Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship program is a two-year ACGME-accredited program primarily based at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a 334-bed freestanding children’s hospital in Orange, California. CHOC is a regional referral center and level 1 trauma center with the medical/surgical unit seeing over 7,000 admissions per year. Rotation sites also include CHOC at Mission, in Mission Viejo, California, which serves as a community-based site for fellows. In addition, St. Joseph Hospital, in Orange, California is an adult community hospital where fellows gain further delivery and newborn hospitalist experience. Training includes approximately eight months of clinical service, eight months of dedicated scholarly/research time, and eight months of individualized curriculum. Our program aims to provide fellows with the training to become clinical experts in the care of hospitalized children, as well as academic leaders in the fields of quality improvement, research, advocacy and medical education. At the UCI/CHOC PHM Fellowship program, we strongly value our fellows’ unique academic goals, and seek to create a structured and supportive environment for fellows to pursue their clinical and academic passions through our individualized curriculum. For more information, visit https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/uci-choc-pediatric-hospital-medicine-fellowship-program/
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program is supported by UCI and CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County). The three-year training program includes approximately 14 months of clinical training and 20 months of research experience. The first year is primarily clinical and primarily based at CHOC. The inpatient ID service is divided into two services, the inpatient ward service and the ICU/Hematology-Oncology service. Fellows rotate on eight four-week blocks during the first year on these teams. Each service generally sees 12-20 patients daily. Three four-week blocks are devoted to research in the first year to allow fellows to explore possible research topics and select a research mentor. Research mentors are available through both CHOC and UCI and opportunities for lab research are strengthened by the research excellence of the infectious diseases team from UCI.
During the first year of training, fellows will also do one four-week rotation in adult ID medicine at the UCI Medical Center, an invaluable experience exposing them to the differences, intricacies and overlap of infectious diseases in the adult vs pediatric setting. During each of second and third year, fellows spend nine four-week blocks on research, with three four-week blocks on the inpatient services. Fellows participate in a two-week rotation at the Orange County Health Care Agency to train in epidemiology of infectious diseases, obtain exposure to lab techniques and diagnostics tests available through the health department, and learn about outbreak investigation and mitigation. Throughout the three years, fellows will rotate through the Pediatric Infectious Disease, Immunodeficiency and HIV/KIDS clinics at CHOC. At the successful completion of this program, candidates will be able to sit for their boards in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Applications are accepted for qualified candidates through ERAS. For additional information: https://www.choc.org/careers/residency-training-programs/uci-choc-pediatric-infectious-diseases-fellowship-program/
Pediatric Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
UCI offers a three-year fellowship in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program provides a well-rounded curriculum that balances between clinical experiences, teaching opportunities, and academic and scientific activities. The program offers variety and depth due to the diversity of the three major training sites—UCI Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children’s Hospital. The care of newborns seen through the three hospitals represents a cross-section of racial, cultural, and socioeconomic groups from a local population of more than 2.5 million. These three sites represent a broad-spectrum of neonatal practice and offer excellent opportunities to learn and teach. Clinical and basic science research conducted by the faculty in the section gives the fellow the ability to gain skills in scientific investigation. The program’s superb physical environment, extraordinary clinical services, and varied research interests permit the faculty to carry out the mission of preparing neonatal fellows for a career in clinical or academic neonatology. In addition, the program collaborates clinically and through research with a superb fellowship training in Maternal-Fetal Medicine that is also based at the institutions. The Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship training consists of 14 months of direct patient care responsibilities, 19 months of research training, and three months of vacation.
Pediatric Pulmonology
UCI partners with Miller Children's Hospital in offering one of the few pediatric pulmonology fellowship training programs in California accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The program has been in existence for more than 30 years and has attracted outstanding candidates from the United States and internationally. The pulmonary fellowship offers tailored, innovative research projects for fellows, as well as a thorough and comprehensive program in pediatric and pulmonary medicine. The hospital provides exposure to a wide variety of rare and common pulmonary pathologies, as well as a diverse cross section of cultural, racial and socioeconomic groups. The research interests of fellows include such topics as air pollution and asthma in children, immunological aspects of lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the impact of premature birth on later lung function. Research is conducted at the Translational Pulmonary & Immunology Research Center in Long Beach. The faculty members consist of pediatric pulmonologists as well as allergy immunologists who are supported by private, federal, and NIH grants. Fellows spend approximately half of their three years working in both the inpatient units as well as in the outpatient setting. Our fellows go on to be highly competitive and with talents sought after across the nation as well as the globe.
Pediatric Surgery
The UC Irvine-CHOC Children’s Hospital Pediatric Surgery Fellowship is based at CHOC Children’s Hospital (CHOC). CHOC and UCI function as one entity for care of children in our county. CHOC is a tertiary care freestanding children’s hospital, serving a diverse population based in Orange County, the sixth most populous county in the nation. There are 10 pediatric surgeons that are the main core faculty for the fellowship. We are in the process of adding a new faculty member as an attending surgeon who is anticipated to start before the start date of the fellowship. In addition, we have one additional member of the pediatric surgery attending team who is emeritus level and does not participate in call activities. CHOC’s main hospital is a 334-bed facility. CHOC has numerous medical and surgical inpatient units as well as an Oncology ward. The inpatient pediatric critical care units provide care for both infants and older children, including a level IV neonatology intensive care unit with several subspecialty areas, including a Surgical NICU. CHOC ECMO program is currently designated as a Gold Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. CHOC is an ACS-verified level 1 pediatric trauma center.
The UCI/CHOC Pediatric Surgery fellowship program is committed to recruiting and training talented individuals whose backgrounds reflect California’s rich diversity. Our goal is to build an inclusive educational framework to produce future pediatric surgeons who will improve the communities which they will serve, while striving for excellence in research, teaching and community service. Our fellowship training program will provide a comprehensive educational experience, producing pediatrics surgeons who are academically, clinically and professionally prepared to meet the demands of the ever-changing landscape of medicine. CHOC and UCI possess faculty who represent a vast array of different subspecialties and areas of interest, cultivating an environment of inquiry with ample opportunities for scholarly activity to satisfy the variety of interests which the fellows will have. The fellows will be given the opportunities to strengthen their skills, knowledge and confidence in the areas of quality improvement, patient safety, population health, innovation, translational and biomedical research. Faculty are dedicated to the UCI School of Medicine’s mission of “Discover. Teach. Heal.” and will guide the fellows through the infrastructure of our robust research and scholarship environment. There is strong institutional support with provision of administrative assistants, research coordinators and statisticians.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
The Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) offers a three-year residency program for applicants who have completed a 12-month ACGME accredited internship. The residency program’s focus is on the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment and care of patients of all ages with functional impairments due to conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, trauma, amputation, and congenital abnormalities. Residents rotate at the UCI Medical Center, the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. PM&R Residents are involved in research and medical student teaching.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - Spinal Cord Injury
The Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Fellowship is an one-year accredited program. The fellow rotates through Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center’s Spinal Cord Injury Center. The Ernest Bors SCI/D Center is the largest SCI Center in the nation within the Veterans Healthcare System with 77 bed capacity. It is a CARF-accredited SCI facility. Inpatient units treat complex medical/surgical cases, which include ventilator-dependent spinal cord injuries. Outpatient services include general and focused primary care for geriatric patients and SCI patients with diabetes. There are specialty clinics, such as surgical care (urology and plastic surgery), upper extremity restoration (tendon transfers), annual evaluations, shoulder clinic, wheelchair clinic and driver's training. The fellow will learn the clinical pathway guidelines for the critical care management of acute traumatic spinal cord injury and to understand the role of the physiatrist consult in the care of the acute spinal cord injured patient. In addition to the academic and clinical work, our fellows are expected to participate in performance improvement projects, shadow the chief/program director to various hospital-wide administrative meetings, and actively participate in teaching of other trainees and colleagues.
Plastic Surgery
The Department of Plastic Surgery offers three positions each year in our six-year integrated residency program. We are a premier training location, and our residents gain experience in the full spectrum of plastic surgery with a broad diversity of patient populations and high-volume surgical exposure in all subspecialties including pediatric, hand, craniofacial, gender affirming care, microsurgery, lymphedema, aesthetic, breast, and general reconstruction. Rotation sites include the UCI Medical Center, the VA in Long Beach, community-based plastic surgery at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, a dedicated aesthetic experience with the expert private practice surgeons in Newport Beach, and the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. We offer research opportunities through our partnership with the Center for Tissue Engineering, which is a fully staffed laboratory focused on translational medicine in the field of plastic surgery. Our faculty are committed to training excellent surgeons who are well equipped to become leaders in all aspects of plastic surgery, from private practice to sub-specialized academic. We welcome your questions and inquiry, for further information please visit: uciplasticsurgery.com or check us out on Instagram at @uciplasticsurgeryresidency
Psychiatry
The Psychiatry Residency Training Program is a four-year program that fosters academic excellence and broad clinical experience in general psychiatry in a balanced, evidence based and patient-centered manner. Residents receive extensive supervised training in psychopharmacology and various modalities of psychotherapy. The core curriculum includes weekly didactic seminars and supervised clinical experiences in the following areas: adult inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, psychodynamic psychotherapy, child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric neuropsychiatry, primary care, neurology, emergency psychiatry, consultation and liaison psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry. Our training program, including weekly didactics, emphasizes the importance of using a "biopsychosocial" and individualized approach to patient care. Psychopharmacologic, psychotherapeutic and integrated psychiatric care (e.g. collaborative care or telepsychiatry) is presented in a way which underscores the importance of becoming expert in all of these areas upon graduation from the program. Opportunities for research abound with expert faculty available to provide guidance. Throughout their training, by treating a highly diverse patient population, residents acquire competency in culturally-sensitive psychiatric assessment and treatment, as well as with different systems-based practices. The program is based at the UCI Medical Center and includes three inpatient units, a partial hospitalization program, an expanding outpatient clinic, and a new sleep center, among other sites. The flexible curriculum and supportive faculty allow residents to pursue elective interests in research, teaching, and administrative psychiatry, ensuring attainment of the residents' career goals.
Psychiatry - Child Psychiatry
The Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Training Program is a two-year program that builds on the training already completed in a General Psychiatry Residency. It provides subspecialty training in how to specifically evaluate and treat individuals younger than 18 years old by accounting for this population’s unique characteristics. Fellows are able to complement their developing knowledge base and clinical decision-making skills with a compassionate, humanistic approach. Our program emphasizes training in biological, psychological, and social modalities, as we strongly believe that a multidisciplinary approach is vital to providing excellent psychiatric care to children, adolescents and their families. Clinical experiences have been developed to provide exposure to the wide variety of psychiatric diagnoses and issues facing children and adolescents, as well as prepare our fellows for the diverse populations they may encounter post-graduation. Training opportunities include: acute inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, consult-liaison service, emergency psychiatry, trauma-focused therapy clinic for victims of child abuse, school consultation at UCI’s Child Development Center, and juvenile forensic rotations.
Radiation Oncology
The Residency Training Program in Radiation Oncology is designed to prepare suitably qualified individuals for academic or clinical practice careers in Radiation Oncology. Candidates enter a four-year program which encompasses clinical service, didactic teaching, and integrated research experience. Beyond exposure to a variety of conventional and precision-oriented external beam treatment technologies such as IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy), SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), and SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy), opportunities exist for training in interstitial and intracavitary brachytherapy using special applicators and techniques. The faculty are engaged in both clinical and laboratory research with opportunities for residents’ participation. Clinical applications based on fundamental principles in Radiation Physics and Biology are emphasized, while trainees attain competence in implementing multidisciplinary cancer care based on critical assessment of the literature. The program includes rotations at three participating hospitals: UCI Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, and UCSD/Rady Children’s Hospital for the pediatrics rotation.
Radiological Sciences - Diagnostic Radiology
The Department of Radiological Sciences offers a four-year residency training program in diagnostic radiology, including all aspects of medical imaging. Resident training is conducted primarily at the UCI Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System (LBVA), supplemented by rotations in Pediatric Radiology at CHOC Children's. The LBVA is an integral component of resident education. Exceptional faculty, quality didactic conferences, and a community-based patient population at the VA strengthen resident education and broaden residents’ clinical exposure. The program offers a required dedicated research rotation in addition to elective time that can be used for research. Nearly all residents have published journal articles, co-authored book chapters, and/or presented at national and local society meetings. As a whole, the program is resident-centered and offers an exceptionally well-rounded training experience designed to prepare residents for careers in either academic radiology or private practice.
Radiological Sciences - Interventional Radiology (Independent)
The Department of Radiological Sciences offers a one- or two-year residency training program in interventional radiology through the independent pathway. Completion of an accredited diagnostic radiology residency program is required for entry into the independent program. Completion of Early Specialization in Interventional Radiology requirements during the prerequisite diagnostic radiology residency program allows for advanced placement into the second year of the independent program. Graduates of the independent program will be eligible for dual board certification in IR and DR. Resident training is conducted primarily at the UCI Medical Center, supplemented by rotations at the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System and St. Joseph Hospital. Residents participate in the entire gamut of modern interventional radiology care with an emphasis on pre- and post-procedure management and clinic patient evaluations. Participation in ongoing research projects, publications, and submission to regional and national meetings is highly encouraged and supported. The well-rounded training experience at the resident-centered program is designed to prepare residents for careers in either academic radiology or private practice.
Radiological Sciences - Interventional Radiology (Integrated)
The Department of Radiological Sciences offers a five-year residency training program in interventional radiology through the integrated pathway. The first three years focus on diagnostic radiology and the last two years focus on interventional radiology. Graduates will be eligible for dual board certification in IR and DR. Resident training is conducted primarily at the UCI Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, supplemented by rotations at Children's Hospital of Orange County and St. Joseph Hospital. Residents are exposed to a wide variety of pathologies in all modalities in diagnostic radiology. Residents participate in the entire gamut of modern interventional radiology care with an emphasis on pre- and post-procedure management and clinic patient evaluations. Participation in ongoing research projects, publications, and submission to regional and national meetings is highly encouraged and supported. The well-rounded training experience at the resident-centered program is designed to prepare residents for careers in either academic radiology or private practice.
Radiological Sciences - Neuroradiology
This is a one-year ACGME-accredited neuroradiology fellowship. Fellows receive 10 months training in adult brain, spine, and head and neck imaging and 1 month training in interventional neuroradiology at UC Irvine Medical Center. Fellows also receive 1 month training in pediatric neuroimaging at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Participation in teaching, research, and national meetings is required.
Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship:
The University of California, Irvine Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship program is a 2-year ACGME-accredited training program devoted to the education of future leaders in Surgical Oncology. The fellowship program provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary training and rich surgical experience in complex open and minimally invasive oncologic resections. Some of the key highlights include cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC, sarcoma resections, and minimally invasive approaches to foregut and HPB surgeries. The first year of surgical oncology fellowship is designed to provide a broad experience in oncology and related specialties, namely radiation oncology, medical oncology, gynecology oncology, pathology, and interventional gastroenterology. The first year of fellowship has 4-6 months of dedicated research at the beginning of the year to initiate research projects and continue the research work throughout the two years of training. Fellows will have the opportunity to design research protocols and participate in basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic cancer research. The second year of fellowship has 12 months of core surgical oncology rotations in melanoma, breast, sarcoma, endocrine, peritoneal surface malignancies, colorectal, foregut, and HPB. Aside from a rich clinical experience, our program also integrates an impactful didactic component with weekly educational conferences, several multi-disciplinary tumor boards, and monthly journal clubs to provide the necessary knowledge to train surgical oncology leaders. Applications to the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship are accepted through ERAS. All candidates interested must be board- certified/eligible graduates from an ACGME-approved surgical residency.
Surgery - General Surgery
The General Surgery program places strong emphasis on provision of excellent clinical care, establishing new horizons in minimally invasive surgery, education of residents and medical students in all aspects of surgery, and high-level surgical research. The program trains and prepares some of the finest surgeons in the country for the rigors of academic or private practice as well as subsequent fellowship training. The general surgery residency program’s integrated and affiliated training sites include rotations in surgical oncology, cardiothoracic, vascular, gastrointestinal, colorectal, transplant, hepatobiliary, general surgery, surgical critical care, pediatric surgery, emergency general surgery, and trauma/acute care surgery and burn surgery. UCI’s faculty and volunteer faculty, as well as that of affiliate institutions, are committed to teaching and provide residents with a variety of resources and opportunities to engage their surgical knowledge. Surgical residents perform clinical rotations at the UCI Medical Center, the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Mission Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Residents interested in research will find a broad range of resources and mentors. While not required, research during residency imbues critical skills and exposes the resident to an additional dimension of academic surgery. Options for one or two years of dedicated research outside of the clinical track are available. Fully accredited by the ACGME, UCI’s General Surgery Residency Program emphasizes the surgeon of the future in its curriculum—providing world class surgical care while minimizing the footprint left behind. The program practices and abides by the motto coined by former chair, David Hoyt, M.D., FACS, “When you see one of us, you see all of us.” Resident applications are accepted entirely through ERAS and determined via the NRMP process. All candidates interested in pursuing a general surgery residency will have completed medical school prior to residency's June start and have applied through ERAS with a complete application.
Surgery - Colon & Rectal Surgery
The Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program is a one-year ACGME-accredited fellowship program available for residents who have previously completed general surgery training. Fellowship interviews are held during the autumn of the year prior to the anticipated August start date. The Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship program participates in the NRMP match program. Presently, the fellow spends the entire year on the UCI Medical Center campus rotating with the five colon and rectal surgeons in practice. In addition, the fellow works with Gastroenterology attending physicians during the year acquiring additional endoscopy expertise. Fellows participate in weekly conferences that include selected educational topics, quality Improvement, journal club, and multidisciplinary conference regarding complex cancer and inflammatory bowel disease management. In addition, travel to meetings is supported for a selected research project during the year. The fellow will undergo extensive training in diseases of the colon, rectum, pelvic floor and anus. Advanced surgical training includes open, laparoscopic and robotic approaches to various disease process of the colon and rectum including colon and rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, anorectal surgery, pelvic floor disease management, and endoscopy. Application to the Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship are accepted through ERAS. All candidates interested in pursuing a Colorectal Fellowship must be board-certified/eligible graduates from an ACGME-approved general surgical residency.
Surgery- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Fellowship
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) Vascular and Endovascular Surgery fellowship is a 2-year clinical training program with the goal of preparing qualified surgeons to obtain mastery in all aspects of vascular and endovascular surgery. It is our goal to train exemplary clinical leaders in the field of vascular surgery. The UCI Vascular and Endovascular Surgery fellowship is a comprehensive, integrated program with excellent training opportunities in the full spectrum of vascular disease management including aortic, peripheral, renal, visceral and cerebrovascular disorders. The fellow’s time will be equally split between the UCI Medical Center and the Long Beach Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. Fellows will have extensive training in complex minimally invasive endovascular and traditional open vascular surgical procedures. Trainees will be encouraged to conduct translational and patient outcomes based research and become proficient in performing and interpreting non-invasive vascular laboratory studies. Funding support to attend national conferences and training programs is provided. Applications to the Vascular Surgery Fellowship are accepted through ERAS. All candidates interested must be board- certified/eligible graduates from an ACGME-approved surgical residency.
Surgical Critical Care
The Surgical Critical Care Fellowship is a one-year ACGME-accredited program with an opportunity for an optional non-accredited second year. As a surgical critical care fellow, experience will be gained working at UCI Medical Center in the Division of Trauma, Burns, Surgical Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery. UCI has both an ACS-verified Level I Trauma Center with approximately 5400 trauma activations per year and an ACS/ABA-verified regional Burn Center with over 225 admissions per year. There are over 6,000 ICU admissions per year, and fellows gain experience with core rotations in the SICU and elective experiences in the Neuro ICU, Burn ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Pediatric ICU, and Medicine ICU. Extensive exposure to trauma resuscitation, operative management, emergency general surgery, and bedside ICU procedures is provided. Didactics include weekly core critical care lectures, case conferences, hands-on point of care ultrasound course, and Scientific American Surgical Critical Care program. Fellows attend a variety of educational courses sponsored by the American College of Surgeons including Advanced Surgical Skills Exposure in Trauma (ASSET), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), Basic Endovascular Skills for Trauma (BEST) and Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness (DMEP). An optional second year is individually tailored to the needs of the fellow, and may include advanced experiences in trauma surgery, acute care surgery, quality and safety, and research in an environment with increased autonomy. Applications to the Surgical Critical Care program are accepted through the Surgical Critical care and Acute Care Surgery Fellowship Application Service (SAFAS). Applicants must be enrolled in, or board-certified/eligible graduates from, an ACGME-accredited surgical residency program.
Urology - Urological Surgery
The Department of Urology Residency Program is a five-year training program with three residents per year. The PGY 1 (internship) consists of six months of urology rotations and six months of non-urologic rotations including core general surgery rotations. The PGY 2-5 years provide training in all aspects of adult and pediatric urologic diseases. The residents receive extensive training in open and endoscopic procedures, laparoscopy and other minimally invasive techniques, urologic pathology, uroradiology, and management of non-operative urologic conditions. The program’s training hospitals include UCI Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. The Department of Urology encourages and supports both clinical and basic science research.
Urology - Pediatric
The Pediatric Urology Fellowship program is a two-year ACGME accredited program, leading to qualification for the American Board of Urology’s Subspecialty Certification in Pediatric Urology. This is a two-year fellowship, centered at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and UCI.
Four Pediatric Urologists, faculty in the Department of Urology, oversee a full clinical program in which trainees are guided through all aspects of Pediatric Urology. One year is fully clinical, and a second year is split between clinical and research activities. Research projects may make full use of the robotic and surgical simulation and animal facilities at UCI. Collaborative meetings are regularly held within the Urology Department, in which the Fellows are encouraged to present materials and participate. In addition, there are many multidisciplinary meetings including radiology/nephrology rounds, Differences of Sexual Differentiation with endocrinology conference, tumor board, and other regular meetings at CHOC. The Pediatric Surgery team at UCI recently started a fellowship and the urology and surgery fellow each spend a month with the respective service to diversify their training. The entry to the Fellowship requires the completion of a recognized Urology residency, and the application is coordinated by the Society of Pediatric Urology matching program.