Utibe Essien, MD, MPH

Utibe R. Essien, MD, MPH is a board-certified general internist, an Assistant Professor of Medicine in Residence at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and an investigator in the Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy at the Greater Los Angeles VA. He also serves as Assistant Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the UCLA Department of Medicine. Dr. Essien’s research focuses on racial and ethnic disparities in the use of novel medications and technologies, especially in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In 2021, he coined the term, “pharmacoequity” to describe the goal of ensuring all patients have equitable access to life-saving therapies. This research and policy framework has since been applied to myriad clinical conditions including diabetes, health failure, and the COVID-19 pandemic. His work is funded by a VA Career Development Award and the Harold Amos Faculty Development Program, in conjunction with the American Heart Association.