UCLA's Expanding Footprint: A Growing Presence in Orange County and Beyond

UCLA Health is dedicated to improving the well-being of the diverse communities it serves, with locations spanning from Westwood and Santa Monica to the broader reaches of Los Angeles County and beyond, including Orange County. This commitment is reflected in the strategic expansion of its healthcare network, designed to bring superior care closer to patients while offering rewarding opportunities for healthcare professionals.

UCLA Health's Mission: Extending Care and Opportunity

UCLA Health's mission extends beyond the boundaries of its main medical center. By strategically locating outpatient clinics and medical facilities in areas where they are most needed, UCLA Health is breaking down geographical barriers to healthcare access. This expansion not only elevates the health of communities throughout Southern California but also provides healthcare professionals with diverse and fulfilling career options.

The David Geffen School of Medicine: A Foundation of Excellence

At the heart of UCLA's world-class medical center lies the David Geffen School of Medicine. Over five decades, it has ascended to the highest echelons of medical schools and research institutions. The school remains at the forefront of biomedical research and patient care, with over 2,700 full-time faculty members, approximately 1,400 residents and fellows, more than 750 medical students, and 500 Ph.D. candidates.

Comprehensive Medical Services at Community Clinics

UCLA Health's community outpatient clinics offer a wide array of medical services, ensuring that patients receive the specialized care they need in convenient locations. These clinics provide services in various specialties, including:

AIDS care
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Endocrinology
Geriatrics
Neurology
Orthopedics
Otolaryngology
Psychiatry
Rheumatology
Urology

State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities

UCLA Health boasts several advanced medical facilities, each designed to provide exceptional patient care and cutting-edge medical technology:

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center: Opened in 2008, this medical center is one of the largest and most technologically advanced hospitals in the world. It has been recognized as the #1 hospital in California and #4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and has earned Magnet® Status.
UCLA West Valley Medical Center: This 260-bed facility extends UCLA Health’s mission to the communities of the San Fernando Valley, offering a 24/7 emergency department with a helipad, the UCLA Health Regional Burn Center, and Los Angeles County’s first accredited Chest Pain Center.
UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica: Providing world-class medical care since the 1920s, this facility offers a wide range of specialty services, including oncology, breast care, the BirthPlace, extensive children’s health programs, and a STEMI Receiving Center in the Nethercutt ER.
UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital: Ranked among the world’s elite institutions for pediatric research, care, and education, this hospital offers world-class capabilities in an environment designed specifically for children.
Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA (NPH): This premier center provides care, research, and education in mental health, developmental disabilities, and neurology, offering a supportive atmosphere for transformative care.

Southern California: A Vibrant Place to Live and Work

Southern California offers an unmatched lifestyle, from the beaches to the mountains, and UCLA Health provides opportunities to live and work in various desirable locations:

Conejo Valley: Offers great schools, neighborhoods, and outdoor recreational possibilities.
Orange County: Known for great neighborhoods and an excellent quality of living.
San Fernando Valley: Provides a mix of suburban living with easy access to Los Angeles.
San Gabriel Valley: Features beautiful views and a thriving arts and culture scene.
San Luis Obispo: Offers an ideal climate, quaint neighborhoods, and proximity to seaside locations and wineries.
Santa Barbara: Known for its beauty, recreational opportunities, and historic Spanish architecture.
South Bay: Offers a variety of lifestyles, from beachside communities to superb neighborhoods with world-class views.
West Los Angeles: Comprises charming neighborhoods with vibrant cultural scenes and proximity to beaches.

Transportation and Employee Benefits

UCLA Health supports its employees with various transportation options and benefits:

Carpooling: Discounted parking permits are available for carpools.
Bruin Bus: Provides transportation around the UCLA campus.
Bruin Commuter Transit Benefits: Offers free passes for Metro rail and bus lines.
Bruin Commuter Club (BCC) Benefits: Includes discounted daily parking, Emergency Ride Home, Zipcar usage, Metro Rewards, Active Transportation Benefits, and Uber/Lyft options.
Vanpool Opportunities: Offers nearly 150 routes serving around 80 Southern California communities with financial incentives.
Bike It: Provides Bruin Bike Share rentals and “earn a bike” programs.

Community Engagement and Support

UCLA is committed to community engagement, recognizing the historical context of the land on which it resides and supporting local communities through various initiatives:

Land Acknowledgement: Acknowledges the Gabrielino-Tongva peoples as the traditional caretakers of the land on which UCLA sits.
Tongva Language Preservation: Supports efforts to rescue the Tongva language from extinction through language classes and cultural preservation efforts.
OCAPICA: An organization founded by a UCLA Fielding School of Public Health alumna that serves more than 80,000 individuals annually, providing services to immigrants and refugees in Southern California and nationally.
UCLA Alumni Association: Creates a local network among alumni, fostering social, business, and community service connections.

Commitment to Nursing Excellence

UCLA is dedicated to advancing nursing education and research, exemplified by the naming of the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing. This commitment supports the school’s educational programs, expands nursing research, and ensures UCLA’s role in meeting healthcare needs.

The UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing maintains a collaborative partnership with UCLA Health, playing a key role in developing qualified nurses with evidence-based, technology-enabled, patient-centered care.

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Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research

UCLA Health provides advanced cancer care with a multidisciplinary approach, integrating research and patient care:

Bench-to-Bedside Translational Research: Developing new cancer therapies based on basic science performed in UCLA laboratories and clinical trials with UCLA Health patients.
Interdisciplinary Approach: More than 350 physicians and scientists collaborate across various fields to provide comprehensive and specialized treatment.
Collaboration: Close collaboration between researchers and physicians leads to scientific discoveries and improved cancer detection, prevention, and treatment.

The Indigenous Roots of UCLA

UCLA acknowledges that it resides on land historically inhabited by Indigenous peoples, particularly the Gabrielino-Tongva. This recognition includes:

Historical Context: Understanding that the land was colonized through a series of land grants and deeding of property under Western legislation.
Tongva Presence: Recognizing the Tongva as the people who greeted Spanish explorer Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo in 1542 and inhabited the Los Angeles basin for thousands of years.
Decimation of the Tongva Population: Acknowledging the genocide and forced relocation of the Tongva population in the 19th century.
Re-emergence of the Tongva: Supporting the Tongva as a re-emerging community with a presence in Los Angeles.

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