Harbor-UCLA Emergency Medicine Residency: A Legacy of Excellence and Innovation

The Emergency Medicine Residency Training Program at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center stands as a cornerstone in emergency medicine education, established in 1978 as one of the nation's pioneering programs. With a rich history of serving the South Los Angeles County communities for over four decades, Harbor-UCLA has evolved into a leading institution committed to providing exemplary care, fostering inclusivity, and advancing the field through research and innovation.

A Foundation Built on Service and Dedication

From its humble beginnings, marked by the treatment of the first trauma victim in 1946, to its current 72-acre facility, Harbor-UCLA has remained steadfast in its mission to deliver exceptional care to a diverse patient population. As a safety-net county hospital, the institution embraces its role in serving those in need, regardless of background or ability to pay. This commitment extends to actively combating structural racism and understanding socioeconomic privilege, ensuring culturally competent care for every patient.

The department's dedication to social activism, justice, and community engagement underscores its holistic approach to patient well-being. By addressing the tangible impact of social determinants of health, Harbor-UCLA strives to create a healthier and more equitable community.

A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Harbor-UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine actively seeks to recruit residents, fellows, and faculty who bring unique backgrounds and perspectives to enhance patient care. The department fosters a workplace that embraces every race, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, and sexual orientation. A majority of the leadership comprises women and persons of color, reflecting the department's commitment to developing a medical workforce that mirrors its patient population.

A Close-Knit Community

Despite its size, the Harbor-UCLA Emergency Medicine Residency maintains an intimate sense of community. The approachability of leadership and the strong bonds between residents create a supportive and familial environment. "Buddy groups" foster relationships between current residents, alumni, and faculty, while an on-site psychologist provides support through the inherent rigors of the specialty. The program also encourages camaraderie through weekly resident/attending beach volleyball games, "board meetings" in the south bay swells, family play-dates, and nights out in LA.

Advanced Training and Specialized Fields

The Department of Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center offers advanced training in specialized fields within Emergency Medicine. Senior medical students have the opportunity to participate in an Emergency Medicine elective, assuming primary responsibility for the diagnosis and management of acutely ill patients. This hands-on experience provides invaluable exposure to the specialty and prepares students for future careers in emergency medicine.

Innovative Research Initiatives

Harbor-UCLA is at the forefront of groundbreaking research initiatives aimed at improving patient care and advancing the field of emergency medicine. These initiatives include:

South LA CPR Initiative

This 3-year community-engaged research effort explores CPR and AED knowledge in Compton and Gardena. By gathering insights from local voices, the initiative aims to create life-saving interventions that improve bystander response and cardiac arrest survival.

Medication Assisted Therapy/Substance Use Disorder

The department has a dedicated substance use disorder navigator who helps individuals with substance use disorder. In partnership with the Whole Person Care Substance Use Disorder program and the Bridge program, Harbor-UCLA ensures that patients receive the appropriate care and explores medication-assisted treatment options.

Operationalization of Data Dashboards to Boost LA County Traffic Safety and Post-Crash Care

In collaboration with the LA County EMS Agency and The Lundquist Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is creating an LA County regional data dashboard, similar to the NEMSIS national dashboard. This project utilizes stakeholder inputs and LA County data to produce a dashboard mock-up and proposal for operationalization, ultimately aiming to improve traffic safety and post-crash care.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Novel EMS Mobile App to Improve Post-Crash Care

The UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine, in collaboration with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the LA County EMS Agency, and The Lundquist Institute, is evaluating an LA County EMS protocol mobile application to assess its effect on paramedic performance and identify the application's usability characteristics.

Southwest Strategies to Innovate Emergency Care Clinical Trials Networks (SW SIREN)

As part of the Strategies to Innovate Emergency Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN), funded by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS), Harbor-UCLA is working to improve outcomes by identifying effective treatments.

Graduate Medical Education: Developing Physician Leaders

At Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, the mission of Graduate Medical Education (GME) is to develop skilled physician leaders who provide equitable, exceptional, and compassionate care. The institution is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and safe learning environment, and to cultivating educational excellence and innovation that empower trainees to advance medicine through research and scholarship.

A Well-Resourced County Program with Academic Focus

Harbor-UCLA is a large county and academic hospital/program with mentorship from leaders in Emergency Medicine. Teaching rounds are conducted at the beginning and end of each EM shift, emphasizing teaching, which residents endorse. The program serves an underserved population with a significant Latin population and a large Spanish-speaking population. Despite being a county program, Harbor-UCLA is well-resourced, with no equipment shortages and good social work/interpreter services. Residents have access to numerous events, dining options, outdoor activities, and beaches. Shifts are typically 8-10 hours, adjusted for circadian rhythm, and attendings are happy, friendly, engaged, and teach on shift.

EM runs traumas, all airways, and procedures with surgery supervision. Procedure competition is minimal, and EM has admitting privileges, eliminating turf battles. A large number of electives, described as a "mini fellowship," allow residents to explore interests like sports/event medicine. Mentorship and "families" connect residents/attendings with similar interests. Leadership emphasizes wellness, diversity, and social EM. Several benefits and reimbursements are available for housing or education to offset the cost of living. Medical Spanish opportunities are also available. The program has an academic focus with an in-house IRB and large grant money. The large alumni network provides big-time connections, and many current faculty are leaders of SAEM and other main EM organizations. The program is receptive to resident feedback, and graduates are well-prepared for diverse opportunities.

The IDHEAL Section: Promoting Health Equity

The "International and Domestic Health Equity and Leadership" (IDHEAL) section of the All-UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine was formed in 2016. Its mission is to define and promote the role that academic emergency medicine can play in promoting health equity and eliminating health disparities locally, nationally, and globally.

Training at Multiple Institutions

Residents in the UCLA Emergency Medicine residency program gain experience at multiple institutions, including:

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is a public safety net hospital serving the residents of the San Fernando Valley. As a major teaching affiliate of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, it provides a significant portion of training for medical students, residents, and fellows. Residents of the UCLA Emergency Medicine residency program spend 50% of their training at OV-UCLA.

Antelope Valley Medical Center

Senior residents spend significant time at Antelope Valley Medical Center, a busy and high-acuity community hospital in North LA County. This experience allows seniors to serve as clinical capstones, gaining autonomy and managing diverse patient presentations.

A Comprehensive Curriculum

The UCLA Emergency Medicine (Ronald Reagan/Olive View) Residency Program offers a well-balanced and diverse range of experiences, complemented by a "liberal arts" approach. Residents are given ample elective time to pursue areas of interest and develop expertise in specific areas of Emergency Medicine. Residents can pursue different "Pathways," connecting them with mentors and alumni in various EM subspecialties. These pathways include medical education, critical care, administration, toxicology, and ultrasound.

The program's weekly conferences are diverse and incorporate interactive components like simulation, workshops, procedural training, and cadaver labs. Residents are actively involved in the medical school, residency, national stage, and community.

Health Equity Fellowship: Developing Leaders in Population Health

The objective of the Health Equity Fellowship is to produce leaders in academic emergency medicine who possess the academic, research, public health, and advocacy tools necessary to succeed in a career devoted to reducing health disparities. This includes an understanding of how social forces impact health on the local, national, and international levels. The two-year fellowship combines the academic strengths and opportunities of the UCLA Westwood campus with clinical opportunities at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Fellows will complete a two-year master’s program (MPH or MSHPM) and develop skills in academic writing/grant writing, public speaking, project design, research methodology, advocacy, foundations in social determinants, leadership, and health policy. Clinical responsibilities are split between Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where fellows supervise Emergency Medicine residents and medical students. Academic responsibilities include developing a grand rounds lecture, completing a publication-quality academic writing piece, and developing an original project from inception to completion.

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