Residency Program & Education
The mission of the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program is to train exemplary clinician leaders and educators who are able to provide care for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, with particular emphasis on the care of medically underserved patients and their communities.
Our program is an integral part of the Department of Family Medicine at UCLA and benefits from UCLA Health's broad geographic network of hospitals, clinics, and other facilities that stretches across the social, and economic breadth of one of the nation’s largest cities. We offer our residents:
- A broad-based curriculum that includes rich inpatient and ambulatory care experiences, and reflects state-of-the-art community and evidence-based medicine and clinical care.
- In-depth and immediate exposure to UCLA's renowned abundant research and medical education resources for those inspired to pursue academic medicine.
- An expansive choice of community outreach opportunities, including mentorship programs in communities of greatest need, community health fairs, and global health opportunities.
- A multitude of diverse experiences and the flexibililty to find and pursue their personal passions in medicine throughout all three years of training.
- Unparalleled leadership and teaching opportunities.
If you are looking for a top-tier residency training program, we invite you to take a closer look at our Family Medicine Residency Training Program and its offerings. We know you will find here academic and clinical rigor, outstanding professional and development opportunities, an enhanced and expanded commitment to caring for medically underserved communities, and a genuine appreciation for the incredible strength of our greater Los Angeles and California locations.
**This is the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program's only official website.**
All other sites are not owned, managed or sanctioned by the residency program or department.
Contact Information:
Carole Barrinuevo
Medical Education Manager
[email protected]
Program Leadership
In 2002, the UCLA Department of Family Medicine merged its residency program with the Santa Monica program to create a single, unified training initiative. Dr. Denise Sur stepped into the role of Residency Program Director for the new combined program, leading an upgraded curriculum that enhanced clinical training and expanded community care integration.
The UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program is led by a dedicated team of physician educators committed to excellence in clinical training, mentorship, and resident development. Dr. Denise Sur serves as Program Director, with Dr. Daniel Lee and Dr. Anita Wong serving as Associate Program Directors. Together, they provide experienced, collaborative leadership and work closely with residents and faculty to support a dynamic, comprehensive, supportive, and responsive learning environment.
In 1999, the residency program expanded its community footprint by partnering with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services to establish an off-campus teaching site in LA County. This expansion deepened residents' exposure to safety-net medicine, centered around clinical training at the Mid Valley Comprehensive Health Center. Through this integration, the program significantly broadened its community-based training while delivering critical primary care to diverse, medically underserved populations across the San Fernando Valley.
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Inclusive Excellence
Inclusive excellence is an integral part of the UCLA Family Medicine Residency Program and reflects our commitment to creating a learning environment where residents from all socioeconomic backgrounds can thrive while preparing physicians to care for the populations of Los Angeles County. Residents care for patients across a wide range of clinical settings, including UCLA Health sites, LA County health centers, and the Venice Family Clinic, gaining experience caring for patients with different socioeconomic and health care needs.
Residents also have opportunities to participate in programs that strengthen mentorship, service, and understanding across cultures and lived experiences. These include our Bridging the Gap Pathway Program at Van Nuys High Schools, through which residents mentor and inspire local high school students interested in health careers; activities through the Compton Community Garden Program; homeless medicine; participation in community health fairs and outreach events throughout Los Angeles County; and resident/faculty book clubs and facilitated discussions that provide space to explore topics related to healthcare equity and the experiences of the patients we serve. Together, these experiences complement our clinical training and help develop thoughtful, compassionate family physicians prepared to provide excellent care for all.
The foundation of our commitment to community health and inclusive excellence is anchored by trailblazing leaders like David Satcher, MD. After completing his senior family practice residency at UCLA in 1975, Dr. Satcher went on to become Director of the CDC and the 16th U.S. Surgeon General. His early academic leadership laid the groundwork for regional health equity, founding the King-Drew Department of Family Medicine and serving on the UCLA faculty. In May 1978, during his deanship at the Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School, he helped forge the landmark MOU with the UC Board of Regents that established the joint Drew/UCLA M.D. program, welcoming its first class in 1981 to train future physicians dedicated to underserved communities. Read about the history of family medicine at UCLA.
1999 — LA County Community Expansion: The program established an off-campus teaching partnership with the LA County Department of Health Services, reinforcing its commitment to safety-net healthcare. Training at the Mid Valley Comprehensive Health Center allowed residents to provide essential care to underserved populations throughout the San Fernando Valley.
