When asked to identify the strengths of the UCLA Internal Medicine Training Program, our residents invariably include peers and faculty. The institution has long attracted individuals who combine the highest standards of excellence with an ethic of camaraderie and respect. This esprit de corps lends to strong professional relationships as well as lasting friendships.

Residents enjoy spending time together outside of work as well. Housestaff take advantage of the sporting facilities on campus for pick-up basketball, tennis, and softball games. In the winter, all residents are relieved from duty for an evening of entertainment dubbed "Chief’s Night Out." The department also hosts a semi-formal dinner-dance (affectionately called ‘the prom’) each spring during which we recognize the work of interns, show appreciation for outstanding faculty, and say goodbye to our senior residents. In addition to these structured activities, smaller groups of residents organize activities throughout the year for Hollywood Bowl excursions, picnics, sporting events, dinner parties, shopping outings, and other recreational activities.

The program leadership has a strong tradition of welcoming and adapting to resident input. The department hosts two residency retreats each year during which the program is reviewed by housestaff. Many of the innovations in our curriculum have come from these retreats. The fall retreat takes place at an outdoor campus recreation center. The three-day spring retreat is held at a beach side resort in Oxnard, CA.

When selecting residents, we look for professionalism, intelligence, creativity, and vision. Our graduates emerge as leaders. Graduates of the UCLA Internal Medicine Training Program have gone on to have rich and varied careers including department chairs, NIH researchers, clinic directors, leaders in industry, television producers, and politicians. For those whose calling is to the practice of medicine, we train the best and most respected physicians in the region.