UCLA Department of Medicine: A Comprehensive Overview
For over six decades, the Department of Medicine at UCLA has been at the forefront of medical advancement, engaging in world-class medical research, teaching, and patient care. This article delves into the various facets of the department, highlighting its history, contributions, structure, and commitment to shaping the future of medicine.
A Legacy of Innovation and Discovery
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, formerly known as the UCLA School of Medicine (1951-2002), traces its roots back to the late 19th century when the UCSF School of Medicine was California's sole public medical school. However, as Los Angeles grew into a major metropolis, the need for a medical school in Southern California became increasingly apparent.
In 1947, Stafford L. Warren was appointed as the first dean, assembling a core faculty that included Andrew Dowdy, John Lawrence, and Charles Carpenter. The construction of the medical center and the School of Medicine commenced in 1949, and the first class of 28 students (26 men and 2 women) matriculated in 1951.
Throughout its history, the UCLA Department of Medicine has been a hub of groundbreaking discoveries. From identifying the first case of AIDS to pioneering targeted cancer therapies, the department's researchers have consistently pushed the boundaries of medical knowledge. These breakthroughs are a result of the department's commitment to investing in science, asking critical questions, and relentlessly searching for answers.
Growth and Expansion
Under the leadership of Sherman Mellinkoff, who succeeded Warren as dean in 1962, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, the UCLA Brain Research Institute, and the Marion Davies Children's Center were founded. The Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Reed Neurological Research Center were also established during this period. By the end of Mellinkoff's tenure, UCLA had doubled the size of the medical school and the hospital. The UCLA School of Dentistry, School of Public Health, and School of Nursing were also formed. A partnership was formed with the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
The school continued its growth in the 1970s, becoming affiliated with VA facilities as well as Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. In 1974, the school co-founded the Biomedical Sciences Program with UC Riverside, which offers 24 students each year the opportunity to earn both the B.S. and M.D. degrees in seven years, instead of the usual eight. 1981 saw the dedication of the Doris and Louis Factor Health Sciences Building which houses the School of Nursing and Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Kenneth I. Shine succeeded Sherman Mellinkoff as dean in 1986. In 1992 Shine left UCLA to become President of the Institute of Medicine in Washington, D.C. Gerald S. Levey was then appointed provost of medical sciences and dean of the medical school in 1994. Levey oversaw expansion of interdisciplinary research and the establishment of a Department of Human Genetics. The Gonda (Goldschmied) Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center, as well as the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, were constructed.
Effective February 2010, A. Eugene Washington was appointed Dean of the UCLA School of Medicine and Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences at UCLA. Washington, a clinician, academician, researcher, and university administrator, was recruited from UCSF, where he served as Vice-Chancellor and Provost, as well as Professor of gynecology, epidemiology, and health policy.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
UCLA constructed the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center across the street from the original facility to comply with the California earthquake law. The 1,050,000-square-foot (98,000 m2) hospital is named after the late President of the United States and Governor of California, Ronald Reagan. It was designed by architect I.M. Pei.
UCLA Health comprises four hospitals on two campuses: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital and the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital on the university’s main campus in the Westwood area of Los Angeles; and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. UCLA Health has more than 200 medical practices throughout Southern California.
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Commitment to Education and Training
The Department of Medicine at UCLA Health strives to be a leader in innovation as well as education and training. The Department offers a wide variety of Fellowship and Residency Programs to interested physicians willing to further their education and training. The Divisions and Centers of the DOM provide world-class patient care, conduct cutting-edge research, and offer training opportunities with world-renowned faculty experts.
The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA also accepts applications for summer academic enrichment programs. These programs include the Premedical/Predental Enrichment Program (PREP), Summer Medical Dental Education Program (SMDEP), and the Re-Application Post baccalaureate Program (RAP).
Divisions and Centers
UCLA investigators are situated within the following divisions and centers:
- Cardiology
- CARE Center
- Center for East-West Medicine
- Clinical Immunology and Allergy
- Clinical Nutrition
- Dermatology
- Digestive Diseases / Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
- General Internal Medicine
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hematology Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nano Medicine
- Nephrology
- Pulmonology / Pulmonary
- Rheumatology
Patient Care
The UCLA Department of Medicine provides care to patients throughout the greater Los Angeles area and beyond. As an academic health center, UCLA Health offers patients the latest technologies and access to potentially life-saving new therapies and clinical trials. The department also emphasizes the importance of personalized care, offering patients the ability to actively schedule and manage their appointments, communicate securely with their care team, and view lab results through myUCLAhealth.
UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital is located within the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. There is also a 25-bed pediatric unit at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and numerous pediatric offices across the region.
Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
Rankings and Recognition
In 2025 - 2026, UCLA Medical Center was on the honor roll of America’s 20 best hospitals and #1 in California. This recognition reflects the department's commitment to providing exceptional patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, and training the next generation of medical leaders.
Notable Faculty
The UCLA Department of Medicine boasts a distinguished faculty, including:
- Arie S. Belldegrun
- Ronald P.
- Baljit S. Khakh
- Linda Liau
- W. Robb MacLellan
- Bengt O.
- Michael E.
- Leonard H. Rome
- Marc A. Suchard
- Alfredo Sadun
- Flora L.
- Jeffrey L.
- Alcino J. Silva
- Maie St. John
- Jeffery H Miller
tags: #ucla #department #of #medicine #overview
