FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I apply to the UCLA Primary Care program?

The UCLA Primary Care Program is one program with two NRMP numbers corresponding to the two tracks:

Each track has six residency positions available per year, for a total of 12 per year in the UCLA Primary Care Program. You have the option of applying to the Olive View/Santa Clarita track, VA/Santa Monica track, or both tracks.

2. Am I allowed to apply to both tracks?

 Absolutely! If you are interested in both programs, we encourage you to apply to both tracks.   

3. How many people are in the UCLA Primary Care program?

There is a total of 36 residents in the UCLA Primary Care program; 18 residents (six per year) in the VA/Santa Monica track and 18 residents (six per year) in the Olive View/Santa Clarita track.

4. Why does the UCLA Primary Care program have two tracks?

Our program aims to train a diverse group of residents to become outstanding primary care clinicians who are willing and capable of caring for all members of our community. Having two tracks allows our residents to choose the clinical experiences and patient populations that best fit their career goals.

5. What are the main differences between the Olive View/Santa Clarita track and the VA/Santa Monica track?

The tracks are more similar than they are different. The primary differences between tracks are the continuity clinic sites and patient populations. 

• VA/Santa Monica continuity clinics:

Santa Monica continuity clinic is a UCLA-based community clinic that serves an insured patient population with a broad range of health literacy and medical conditions including HIV and organ transplants. VA HPACT, in West Los Angeles, is a patient centered medical home with a robust interprofessional health care team tailored to address the medical, social, and mental health needs of Veterans experiencing homelessness.

• Olive View/Santa Clarita continuity clinics:

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is a well-established, high functioning patient-centered medical home in a safety-net, public hospital that cares for medically complex, underserved and marginalized patients. Santa Clarita continuity clinic is a UCLA-based primary care community clinic based in a multi-specialty practice with built-in mental health integration that serves a medically complex, insured patient population.

6. Where would I have my continuity clinic?

Residents in each track have two continuity clinics, which complement each other well. 

Residents in the VA/Santa Monica track have continuity clinic at the West LA VA’s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT), which serves the complex medical, social and mental health needs of homeless veterans and at the Santa Monica/UCLA Health continuity clinic, which cares for a medically complex, insured patient population.

Residents in the Olive View/Santa Clarita track have continuity clinic at Olive View-UCLA’s patient-centered medical home, a safety-net clinic that cares for underserved and uninsured patients and at Santa Clarita/UCLA Health continuity clinic, which cares for a medically complex, insured patient population.

7. What is a typical rotation like on Ambulatory Medicine?

UCLA primary care residents rotate on a 4+2 schedule. During their +2 (ambulatory) blocks, residents spend six half days at each of their continuity clinic sites, rotate through three sub-specialty sessions relevant to primary care, enjoy two Wellness & Panel Management (WPM) sessions, two academic half days and one Community Medicine or Focus session.

8. How does the UCLA Primary Care Program differ from the UCLA categorical and Olive View categorical programs?

The UCLA Primary Care Program is well-integrated, though distinct from both the UCLA and Olive View categorical programs. UCLA Primary Care residents enjoy access to virtually all the resources of its categorical programs, though within a smaller, tightly-knit “family within a family.” While each categorical program works on a 4+1 schedule, the UCLA PC program operates on a 4+2 schedule, allowing Primary Care residents more time in the ambulatory setting. Primary Care residents also participate in the Primary Care Medicine (PCM) Block rotation four weeks a year. The PCM curriculum focuses on quality improvement, community resources and social determinants of health, leadership and health care systems. During PCM rotations, residents participate in clinic, specialized medical and non-medical didactics, and relevant community site visits. Other specialized primary care training such as Community Medicine sessions, Focus sessions, Home Visits, Asylum Training, Buprenorphine Training, Integrated Mental and Behavioral Health Trainings, Acupuncture, Sports Medicine and Ultrasound training are geared towards developing outstanding primary care providers. 

9. How can I learn more about the UCLA categorical or Olive View categorical programs?

10. What is the salary and benefits for your housestaff?

For the most updated salaries, please visit our Graduate Medical Education webpage on housestaff salaries.

Resident benefits include but are not limited to the following: 

Housing stipend: $1000 monthly housing, paid as wages and subject to tax withholding
$3,000 on ID card for food purchases at Ronald Reagan and Santa Monica cafeterias
Interns are eligible for reimbursement from an education fund up to $500
Residents are eligible for reimbursement from an education fund up to$1,000 / year
Reimbursement for California Medical Board license
Reimbursement for USMLE Step 3 exam

11. What if I have more questions about the UCLA Primary Care Program?

Please feel free to email Nina Talverdian at [email protected]. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.