FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I apply to the UCLA Primary Care program?

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

Each track has six residency positions available per year, for a total of 12 per year in the UCLA Primary Care Program. You have the option of applying to the Olive View/Santa Monica track, VA/Santa Monica track, or both tracks.

2. Am I allowed to apply to both tracks?

 Absolutely! If you are interested in both programs, we encourage you to apply to both tracks.   

3. 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/Santa Monica track and 18 residents (six per year) in the Olive View/Santa Monica track.

4. 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 willing and 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.

5. What are the main differences between the Olive View/Santa Monica track and the VA/Santa Monica track?

The tracks are more similar than they are different. The primary differences between tracks are the continuity clinic sites and patient populations. Residents in each track have two continuity clinics, which complement each other well. 

• VA/Santa Monica continuity clinics:

VA’s Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT), in West Los Angeles, 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/Santa Monica continuity clinics:

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center is a well-established, high functioning patient-centered medical home in a safety-net, public hospital that cares for medically complex, underserved and marginalized patients. 

Santa Monica continuity clinic is a UCLA-based community clinic that serves an insured patient population with a broad range of health literacy and medical conditions including HIV and organ transplants. 

6. 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 and Olive View categorical programs. UCLA Primary Care residents enjoy access to virtually all the resources of its categorical programs, though within a smaller, tightly-knit “family within a family.” While each categorical program works on a 4+1 schedule, the UCLA PC program operates on a 4+2 schedule. Primary Care residents have built in Primary Care Medicine (PCM) rotations each year focusing on quality improvement, community resources and social determinants of health, leadership and health care systems. 

7. How can I learn more about the UCLA categorical or Olive View categorical programs?

8. What is the salary and benefits for your housestaff?

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

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

Please email Carina Pambakian at [email protected]. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.