FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply to the UCLA Primary Care program?

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

Each track has six residency positions available per year, for a total of 12 primary care residents per year in the UCLA Primary Care Program.

Am I allowed to apply to both tracks?

Absolutely! You have the option of applying to the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center/Santa Monica track (OV/SM), VA-HPACT/Santa Monica track (VA/SM), or to both tracks. If you are interested in both programs, we encourage you to apply to both tracks!   

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-HPACT/SM track and 18 residents (six per year) in the OV/SM track.

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 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.

What are the main differences between the Olive View/Santa Monica track and the VA-HPACT/Santa Monica track?

The tracks are more similar than they are different. The key difference between the tracks is where residents have their two continuity clinic sites. Residents in both tracks split their continuity clinic time between UCLA Santa Monica primary care clinic and a second clinic serving underserved patient populations. Please view our curriculum pages for further details on the different clinics, in addition to the brief summary below:

• VA-Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (VA-HPACT): Located in West Los Angeles, VA-HPACT 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-UCLA Medical Center: Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is a well-established, high-functioning patient-centered medical home in a safety-net, public hospital that cares for a medically complex patient population.
• UCLA Santa Monica: This UCLA-based community clinic serves an insured patient population with a broad range of backgrounds, health literacy levels, and medical conditions. 

Why do I see a track called "Olive View/Santa Clarita" mentioned on the Alumni page prior to 2024?

The Olive View/Santa Monica track previously had its UCLA Health clinic in Santa Clarita. In 2024, this track's UCLA Health clinic was moved to UCLA Santa Monica. This programmatic change was informed by resident input, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents from our two primary care tracks now work together in our UCLA Santa Monica teaching clinic. This has brought residents from the two tracks even closer and has ensured that all of our residents get ample clinical time with both our Primary Care Program Director and our Director of Mental Health Education. The OV/SM track's second continuity clinic remains at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center and the VA-HPACT/SM track's second continuity clinic remains at the West LA VA-HPACT clinic.

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 Categorical and Olive View Categorical programs. UCLA Primary Care residents enjoy access to virtually all the resources of the categorical programs, while simultaneously being part of a smaller, tightly-knit “family within a family.” While each categorical program works on a 4+1 schedule, the UCLA Primary Care program operates on a 4+2 schedule. Primary Care residents also have built in Primary Care Medicine (PCM) rotations each year, which are two-week blocks focusing on quality improvement, community engagement, social determinants of health, leadership, advocacy, and health systems. Our residents also get to spend dedicated time with the UCLA Medicine/Pediatrics residents, who participate in PCM blocks alongside the primary care residents. 

How can I learn more about the UCLA Categorical or Olive View Categorical programs?

What is the salary and benefits for your housestaff?

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

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

Please email our Recruitment Coordinator Tricia Barrow at [email protected]. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.