Tomorrow's healthcare happens here today

At UC Irvine School of Medicine, we are continually seeking ways to build our research and teaching programs in order to provide the highest level of advanced care to the Orange County community and beyond. Our ultimate vision is to build UC Irvine Healthcare into one of the United States' premier academic medical institutions.

Our mission to teach isn’t limited to our medical students and faculty, but rather extends to include the youth of Orange County. UC Irvine School of Medicine has a wide range of unique programs designed to introduce youth of all ages to a career in medicine. Whatever your age or grade – elementary, middle, high school, undergraduate – our outreach programs have something valuable to offer:

Students from underserved communities can get the guidance and encouragement they need from students in our PRIME-LCprogram, which is dedicated to educating physicians on serving the specific needs of California’s Latino community.

The Center for Future Health Professionals gives underserved Orange County elementary, middle and high school students the resources to succeed through after-school one-on-one mentoring programs and workshops led by healthcare professionals and medical students. It also encourages lifelong civic engagement through high-quality mentorship programs.

Programs such as Ultrasound in Medical Education and the two-week Summer Premed Program give high school and undergraduate students a chance to experience a hands-on introduction to the world of medicine. Through these programs, students are given the chance to perform diagnostic ultrasound on live human models, practice casting, learn splinting and perform suturing using both traditional and robotic tools.

Many of our programs enlist our medical students and faculty in the mission of educating future healthcare professionals. They serve as mentors in the Center for Future Health Professionals, including opportunities for shadowing physicians and one-on-one guidance and counseling. 

The High School Medical School Forum is a half-day class tour of the UC Irvine Douglas Hospital followed by a question-and-answer session with UC Irvine physicians, current medical school students and medical school applicants. It’s a great glimpse into life as a healthcare provider and a valuable chance to learn about preparing for medical school. It is offered at a charge of $30 to each of the more than 60 high schools in Orange County.

These are just a few of the many community outreach programs we offer here.

Our philosophy at the School of Medicine is “Tomorrow’s healthcare happens here today.”  By leading the charge on educating the next generation of healthcare providers, UC Irvine School of Medicine is ensuring a brighter future for our youth and for the Orange County community.

Sincerely,

Ralph V. Clayman, MD
Dean
Professor of Urology
UC Irvine School of Medicine