uc irvine school of medicine - University of California, Irvine

UC IRVINE
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
CLASS OF ’20 WELCOME GUIDE
Dear Incoming Students,
We are SO excited to be welcoming you to the first year class of the UC Irvine
School of Medicine! As it was not too long ago that we found ourselves in your
shoes, we know just how difficult it is to find your bearings in a new environment.
For this reason, the current students and faculty at UCI have banded together to
create the UCI SOM Welcome Guide. We hope that this student-initiative will prove
useful in answering all of the little logistical questions that come up as you take your
first concrete steps into the world of medicine.
This guide should not only serve as a resource as you begin to look for
housing in the area and learn about the curriculum that you will be taking part in, but
also serve as a reference throughout the year for some of the best “things to do” in
and around Irvine as you find yourself with random bits of free time throughout the
year. Want to get to know your classmates better? Check out the dining section
and invite someone new out for a bite to eat. Need to clear your mind from school a
little? Check out the local getaways section to see where upperclassmen like to go
for stay-cations. Have no idea how to get involved on campus? Check out the
Student Life section to get in contact with the interest groups and organizations that
stand out to you. It is our hope that when you get to UCI, you’ll be ready to hit the
ground running J.
As previously mentioned, this
guide is a compilation of thoughts, ideas,
and expertise from all throughout UCI
SOM. The administrative staff and your
future classmates and colleagues have
all contributed to making this guide
possible. It is an incredible honor to be
your first introduction to our school, and
we can’t wait to welcome you to our
Anteater Family in the Fall.
Until Then,
Bima, Megan, and Pejman
Dear Students,
Welcome and once again congratulations. I am delighted you will be joining us and look
forward to working with you during your tenure as a medical student at UC Irvine. We
hope UC Irvine may become your "home away from home" and that you find this to be
a place where you can not only learn, but also continue to develop the unique
characteristics that brought you here in the first place. You will be taking your medical
school journey with some amazing individuals, so enjoy the ride!
Like the students that have come together to make this guide, I encourage you to
become part of our community and get involved in activities that you enjoy. Being a
medical student will be your “full time job” for the next four years but when not studying
there are many student activities that will help you stay balanced and fit. There are
activities for everyone ranging from our more artistic groups such as PLEXUS or the
UC MEDleys to our athletic pursuits— whether they be intramural or interschool
rivalries in basketball, flag football or soccer. Exploring your medical and non-medical
affinities is a great way to get involved and get to know your classmates.
To introduce you to our medical school community our first year students have
developed this Welcome Guide to help you navigate your way through getting settled at
UC Irvine. They will share with you their gems on where to shop, bike, live, etc. They
have worked hard on this guide during breaks and in between studying, so I sincerely
hope you benefit from it. Next year bring your ideas for this reference; share what you
have learned this year so that others can benefit from your
experience.
The Admissions team is here to help you as we approach
matriculation. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time!
Take Care,
Ellena Peterson. Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Admissions, School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section One: Getting Around UCI SOM ................................................................. 5-16
Driving and Parking on Campus .......................................................................................... 6
The Anteater Express ........................................................................................................... 8
Biking to Campus ............................................................................................................... 10
UCI Campus ....................................................................................................................... 12
Section Two: Things to Do In Irvine ...................................................................... 17-64
The Dining Guide ............................................................................................................... 17
Grocery Store Guide .......................................................................................................... 29
Adventures and Activities ................................................................................................... 32
The ARC ............................................................................................................................. 46
Day Getaways & Staycations ............................................................................................. 59
Section Three: Housing Options ........................................................................... 65-78
On Campus Housing .......................................................................................................... 66
Off Campus Housing .......................................................................................................... 70
Section Four: Student Life................................................................................... 80-108
Orientation .......................................................................................................................... 81
Free Clinics at UCI SOM .................................................................................................... 86
Interclinic Council ........................................................................................................... 87
OCNEP ........................................................................................................................... 87
Crescent Clinic ............................................................................................................... 88
Flying Samaritans ........................................................................................................... 89
An Lánh Free Clinic ........................................................................................................ 90
UCI Outreach Clinic........................................................................................................ 91
Student Involvement and Activities .................................................................................... 92
Interest Groups ............................................................................................................... 92
Student Organizations .................................................................................................... 95
Elective Classes ............................................................................................................. 99
UCI SOM Traditions & Activities ....................................................................................... 101
LGBTQIA Resources ........................................................................................................ 107
Intramural Sports .............................................................................................................. 108
Section Five: Curriculum ................................................................................... 109-124
Year One Overview .......................................................................................................... 110
Interactive Learning/Flipped Classroom .......................................................................... 112
Ultrasound Curriculum ..................................................................................................... 113
International Ultrasound Initiative - Summer Trips ........................................................... 114
Research Opportunities ................................................................................................... 119
Dual Degrees ................................................................................................................... 120
Academic Advice ............................................................................................................. 123
Section Six: Clinical Exposure .......................................................................... 125-132
Clinical Foundations ......................................................................................................... 126
Clinical Skills Center ......................................................................................................... 128
Simulation Center ............................................................................................................. 129
Clinical Clerkship .............................................................................................................. 130
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. 133
Section 1: Getting Around UCISOM
Contributing Authors:
Acknowledgements:
Lauren Rosario, MS3
Adam Kalawi, MS3
Mahta Baghoolizadeh, MS3
Christopher Vo, MS3
Nam Thai
MS2
Dhruba
Banerjee
MS2
Warning: The Following Content May Prove To Be Very Useful
Driving & Parking at UCI
Time is of the essence in medical school
and driving to campus is a great way to
maximize your time in medical school. You
can hop into your car and drive to the UCI
Medical Center, research, grocery store, the
ARC, etc. after just a short walk to the parking
lot (instead of having to bike/shuttle back to
your apartment before making the trip towards
your ultimate destination).
The parking permit you will need for the
medical campus is a $70, “S Zone Commuter”
permit for “Zone 2” (below is a map of the
different zones on campus). This pass will
allow you to park in lots 82, 83, 84, 35, ARC,
MS1 events where you need a car
and CT. If you are feeling extra fancy or extra
pressed for time, permits for AR Reserved
(or a friend that has one):
spots ($90) are available for a parking spots
• PACE
located a little closer to campus. However, an
• Clinical Experience at UCIMC
AR permit is usually never necessary.
Additionally, all day on weekends and after
5pm on Monday-Friday, all “S Zone
Commuter” permits are able to park in AR
Reserved spots. After 3pm on Monday-Friday, all “S Zone Commuter” permits will be able to park
in all S Zone parking lots (and not just “Zone 2”).
With that being said, here are a couple more pro-tips and testimonials on parking:
ü “I pay for parking in 6-month stretches so I don't have to keep going back to the (usually
very busy) parking office.”
ü “Try to buy a parking permit before your first day of class so you're not all trying to buy
them on the same day.”
ü "Every parking lot on campus has pay-by-space options where you can pay to park there
for a day or for a few hours etc.”
ü “Nighttime parking in Zone 2 lots is technically only from 5pm-12am I believe. I have
never gotten a ticket when I was parked past 12am at school.”
ü “Some people park at the Starbucks/office building parking lot on the corner of California
and Bison to avoid paying for parking. The lot has signs saying ‘NO UCI Parking.’ People
say different things about the risk of getting ticketed if you park there. It is a 10 min walk
to the med school.”
If you are interested in purchasing a parking pass, follow the steps below:
1. Get your student id card at the Ant Hill bookstore, where they take your picture.
2. Go online to the parking site and order your permit for Zone 2 parking spaces
3. Pick up your permit at one of several terminals located around campus
For more information, visit https://www.parking.uci.edu/permits/studentpermits.cfm
Anteater Express
If you live close to campus, we highly
suggest you download the Anteater Express
app (available for apple & android) or check
out the Anteater Express’ website for more
information.
In short, the Anteater Express is a FREE**
UCI-run shuttle system that circles a variety
of loops around campus, Irvine, and Newport
(seasonally). This is a great option for
anyone that regularly bikes/walks but don’t
want to get their clothes sweaty on Clinical
Foundation days (usually every Tuesdays
and Thursdays). Additionally, there are bike
racks on the Anteater Express if you ever
need to take a bike wherever you are going!
Buses come at fairly regular intervals on
weekdays, but are unavailable on weekends.
About5%oftheMS1classtakethe
AnteaterExpresstogettocampus.
The only route that has stops at the medical
school campus is the M Line. The route itself
circles the entire UCI campus and takes 30 minutes each cycle. If you live on-campus on the east
side, taking this route will get you to the medical school campus within 20 minutes (although
plan to leave 30 minutes beforehand just in case). Sometimes, the shuttle can be overcrowded
and you may need to wait for the next shuttle to arrive. There are buses that come by every 5
minutes and you can track accurate arrival times using the Anteater Express app. Taking the
shuttle as an on-campus resident will allow you to save on purchasing a parking permit and you
can still qualify for some free parking permits through the Sustainable Transportation Program!
If you want to talk to someone that has used the Anteater Express, just feel free to e-mail Nam
Thai, Class of 2019, at [email protected].
**Some of the longer routes that leave UCI may have fares
Sustainable Transportation
Program
Students living in UCI housing who have a car but are willing to avoid using it can sign
up for the Sustainable Transportation program. This way you won’t have to buy the monthly
permit, but you will have a few passes on hand for rainy-days and exam mornings. With this
program you can get unlimited weekend and evening passes to park on campus and a limited
number of day-time passes. It takes 2-3 business days for your registration to get through, but as
long as you meet the requirements you can get into the program. Find out more at:
https://www.parking.uci.edu/AT/incentives/graduate.cfm Unfortunately, this perk is only
available to students in on-campus housing.
Biking to Campus
UCI is a great campus for people at
all levels to bike! There are bike lanes on
the large walkways on campus as well as
on the main streets around campus. The
campus terrain has some hills that
occasionally put the quadriceps to work,
but overall, biking around UCI is not
challenging. Biking from the farthest
corner of campus to the medical school
takes about 15 minutes, so if you bike from
on-campus housing to class, you can expect
it to be a shorter ride. For those of you
worried about having your expensive road
bike stolen, be happy to know that Irvine has
been rated the safest city in the United States
for ten years in a row! But be smart and still
lock your bikes, as there are bike racks all
around the med school campus for you to do
so. Also, always wear a helmet when you
bike!
About15%oftheMS1classtakethe
AnteaterExpresstogettocampus.
Upto30%bike,butoccasionallyuseother
formsoftransportation
If you are worried about finding time to
exercise while in medical school, consider biking to class! It is possible to not have a car, but I
would recommend having a backup plan for days when it rains or when you need to wear
professional attire (at least once a week). A great backup plan is UCI’s bus system, the Anteater
Express. It stops at all of the on-campus housing locations, as well as a few off-campus locations
around Newport Beach (seasonally) and Irvine. An additional perk of biking to campus is UCI’s
Sustainability Program. If you live on-campus and bike to class, you can sign up for 50 free all
day parking passes, and 50 free night and weekend passes (Students often use these parking
passes as their backup plans!).
There is a bike shop on campus called “Bike
Religion” for anyone looking to buy a new bike
or accessories, inflate tires, or get repairs done
(405 W Peltason, Irvine, CA 92617). Also, if
any of you are interested in biking outside of
just getting to class, there is a cycling club at
UCI for bikers at all levels.
Oh, the places you’ll go!
HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS
Medical Education
Building (aka “Med Ed”)
836 Health Sciences Rd,
Irvine, CA 92697
Basement:
• Telemed Theatre B001 (AKA Telemed): This place is located right in the middle of the
basement floor. Meetings are often held here.
• 10 classrooms can be found in the basement and are great places to study at.
1st Floor:
• Dean’s offices
• Financial Aid
• Med Ed Patio: This is the seating just outside of the café.
• Med Ed Café: A convenient place to get a quick meal and some coffee between classes
2nd Floor:
• Clinical Skills Center: This is where we do all our ultrasound modules, Clinical Foundation
modules, and simulation sessions.
rd
3 Floor:
• Colloquium 3070: The center of MedEd, all sorts of meetings are held here.
• Student Lounge: This is a place to relax. In this room, there is a TV, pool table, table tennis
table, as well as lockers and computers with access to the 3rd floor printer/copier.
• Kitchen: This room is connected to the colloquium and adjacent to the student lounge.
Communal refrigerators and microwaves can be found here.
• The “Gunner” Room (AKA Gun Range): This room is where you can find the blood, tears,
and broken dreams of your colleagues. The room is characterized by individual cubicles with
concrete walls.
• Student Organization Room: This room is located right next to the “Gunner Room” and is
another place to study.
• Classroom 11 room 3131 (AKA Sunshine Room): This room is located on the other side of
the third floor.
• Printer/Copy machine: This can be found outside the student lounge.
4th Floor:
• Subject of heated debate.
Tamkin Lecture Hall: The first year of medical school begins here
•
•
•
Tamkin “Main” F110: This is
where all MS1 lectures are
held.
Tamkin “Pit” Lecture Hall
F114: This room has a more
“Socratic” layout with theatre
seating. Some MS2 classes
are held here.
Tamkin “Piano” Conference
Room F108: Meetings can be
held here. Typically not a
study location.
Nelson Lecture Hall: This is where most
MS2 lectures are held. It is located in between Med
Ed and Tamkin Hall.
Medical Surge II: Anatomy Lab can be found
in the basement of this complex. Med-Surge is located
adjacent to UCI Health Gottschalk Medical Plaza. To
get there, you should start from Tamkin and walk
towards the Ayala Science Library and take a left
down a flight of stairs prior to the “bridge” that
connects the Health Sciences Campus to the
Undergraduate Campus. If your view is similar to the
red circle, you are on the right track!
Undergraduate Campus
Ayala Science Library:
Where the pre-meds study. Or if you’re looking for a change of pace from the Med Ed basement
study rooms, this library has a dedicated graduate study room specifically for cool kids like us. Just
head up to the front desk, show them your student ID and receive an access card to this beautiful,
quiet, two floor study room with huge windows providing lots of natural light, big desks, and
comfortable study chairs.
Student Center:
This is the “heart” of UCI and where most events occur. There is a food court and some ATMs
located here. Though this area is located on the undergraduate campus, many medical students
choose to take advantage of the fun and food it provides.
Aldrich Hall: Not important for medical students, but this is where most of the UCI
undergraduate administration and services are located.
UCI Bookstore (AKA The Hill): You can purchase many UCI items here as well as
some medical school materials.
Anthill Pub & Grille: A fond location of undergraduates and grad students alike.
The “Flag Poles”: This is more of a landmark than anything else. It is located right across the
bridge that links the undergraduate campus to the University Center.
Langson Library: Where all the non-science majors study.
Aldrich Park: The undergraduate campus is built around Aldrich Park. You can’t miss it.
Ring Road: All the buildings and facilities on the undergraduate campus can be accessed via a
circular path called Ring Road.
Official resources worth looking at:
1. UCI Campus Map (might be useful)
2. UCI Student Handbook (may contain some diagrams)
3. Zotfinder App (very useful for finding new buildings for the first time)
Section 2: Things To Do In Irvine
“Take a break, a good laugh and a
long sleep are the two best cures
for anything”
– Irish Proverb
Contributing Authors:
Acknowledgements:
Jamie Miller, MS3
Ryan Gibney, MS3
Lauren Shreve, MS3
Lauren Rosario, MS3
Michael Butler, MS3
Elisa Zhang, MS3
Jess Lin, MS2
Jon Lee, MS2
Will Minteer, MS2
Bima Hasjim, MS2
Dhruba Banerjee, MS2
Brianna Williams, MS2
Alex Anshus, MS2
WARNING:
The following content may cause food comas, extreme class
bonding, SWOLL, fun, and relaxation. Proceed with caution.
+
the
dining
guide
Ryan Gibney & Elisa Zhang
“food is everything we are. it's an extension of nationalist feeling,
ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your
tribe, your grandma. it's inseparable from those from the get-go.”
Anthony Bourdain
UCI School of Medicine
The area surrounding UCI possesses a flourishing dining scene, with an
eclectic mix of culinary innovators and cultural staples sure to satisfy
anyone’s palette. We’ve put together a few (hundred) of our favorites!
but once in a while
you’ll see me at
in n out: they make
the best fast food
hamburgers
Thomas
Keller
Budget Bites
How to eat well, without breaking the bank
In n Out—The favorite fast food burger of world
renowned chefs and pretty much every Californian
since the 50’s.
Rooster Café—serving up simple, locally sourced,
breakfast and lunch, which is always on point
Sprinkles ice cream/cupcakes—Sprinkles is the cupcake
original, serving up decadence in unique flavors that will
blow your mind. Newport is privileged to host their
latest—ICE CREAM!! You can stuff a cupcake bottom in a
waffle cone, top it with ice cream, then top it with the
cupcake hat! Hyperglycemia? Yes!
Blaze Pizza—custom pies at lightning speed. Simple: Cream Pan (Tustin) – a small but jam-packed bakery
pick a crust, sauce, cheese, and any number of their known for their award-winning strawberry croissants. You
gourmet toppings and chow down.
won't be able to eat just one, so pick up a few to go with
your Japanese curry from there!
Baja Sharkeez—crazy deals everyday: Happy Hour
has food for $1-3 and everyday has a special with
Avocado Café—Located in downtown Huntington, AC
food and a beer for under $10.
makes killer smoothie bowls, and as the name says, they
Tandoori Fresh—Halal Indian/Pakistani food that is
fresh, tasty, and really cheap. Special includes an
entrée, vegetable, rice, naan, & drink for $9.
Chipotle—IT’s Chipotle…nuff said!!
Celebrate on of California’s biggest crops—the Avocado.
Gianna would approve
Black Knight—Located at the Triangle in Costa Mesa, this
place is a cool little gastro pub with great atmosphere, and
equally good food. They also serve pizza til 3am out of the
side window on the weekend.
Chronic Tacos—Another in the myriad of Cali-Style
Taco places, Chronic was founded by some local
UTC—University Town Center is located across from main
guys, and has since exploded. Their Al-Pastor tacos,
campus and houses 15 different places to eat on a budget.
and breakfast burritos rock.
Great place to go when you have a group that can’t decide
on 1 thing to eat. In particular, make sure to check out
Jan’s Health Bar—With 2 OC locations, Jan’s kills it
Gogi (Korean BBQ Burritos!), Blaze Pizza (do-it-yourself
with amazing salads, bowls, smoothies, juice, and
pizza), Slap Fish (great taco Tuesday deals), and
more. Most of the items are Vegetarian
Mendocino Farms (quality sandwhiches).
friendly/focused so it’s a great option.
Stricklands—Located across from the main campus,
Strickland’s is an old fashioned Ice Cream Shop—
nothing more; nothing less. And, they are Damn
good at it! 4523 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
*New* Halal Guys—If you’ve been to New York and was
blessed to have the opportunity to try the Original Halal
Guys, you will now know why people waited as long 4
hours in line when Halal Guys had their grand opening in
Costa Mesa. Ask for extra white sauce and be careful with
the hot sauce!
Celebrate Asia
Orange County is a mecca of good, cheap, and amazingly diverse Asian food, due to suburban
sprawl + the wide range of Asian immigrants who call OC their home: Indian, Vietnamese,
Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese restaurants & bakeries, boba places—OC’s got you covered!
KOREAN
VIETNAMESE
Gen Korean BBQ—A staple for large
group get-togethers or days when you’re
craving all-you-can-eat protein. Amazing
selection of meats (beef, seafood, pork,
chicken), dipping sauces, and side dishes
can be found here. Come hungry leave
feeling protein-loaded!
Pho 79—this restaurant reigns king in
most people's mind when it comes to
Vietnamese pho (beef noodle
soup). Don't be fooled by the slightly rundown appearance of this joint... it's one of
THE FIRST pho shops to open in America,
and many Vietnamese immigrants claim
this as the best, second only to homecooked pho of course.
Ye Dang—You know it’s authentic when
all the patrons of this no-frills, mom-andpop Korean restaurant are all Korean.
Enjoy their compliementary barley tea
and banchan, and family-style favorites
including kim chi jjigae, Haemul
Pajeon,and galbi tang.
THAI
Thai Nakorn—Huge selection of Thai
dishes, ranging from your standard Pad
Thai to the less common Nad Sod, and
coconut-milk steamed catfish that melts in
your mouth. Those with low spice
tolerance: ask them to make it less spicy.
Great to eat family-style with a variety of
dishes!
CHINESE
Seafood Cove #2—Like dim sum? Then
go here. Order Shu Mai (pork dumpling),
shrimp rice cake, and pick whatever else
that looks good on the cart as they come
around. Afterall, selecting what you want
is part of the dim sum fun!
Din Tai Fung—a Taiwanese chain with a
rabid following, famous for their long
lines, dimsum, and Shanghai soup
dumplings. These two-bite pork
dumplings are filled with hot brothy
goodness that explode in your mouth
when you bite into them.
INDIAN
Annapoorna—a great Indian buffet place
(15 min from campus) to hit up after an
exam with friends to stuff your face silly
with endless naan, curry, masala, and
gulab. They have a fantastic AYCE lunch
deal everyday for $10.
Trieu Chau—A LEGIT vietnamese
restaurant noodle house. If you want
authentic vietnamese, welp, here it is. Get
the Pho Xao Thit Bo—basically a
Vietnamese version of Pad See Ew. Make
sure you order it dry. DELICIOUS.
Brodards—If you're looking for a wide
selection of genuine Vietnamese dishes
outside of the standard go-to pho,
Brodards is the place to go. They are
most famous for their grilled pork/shrimp
spring rolls (which feature a delightful
crunch) but most dishes there are great
and authentic!
JAPANESE
Santouka –though it’s just a casual ramen
place in the food court of both Mitsuwa
Marketplaces (Costa Mesa and Irvine), it
has a cult following: $8 buys you a bowl of
hot, carby umami goodness. Pro-tip: go
next door to get black sesame and green
tea fro yo with cinnamon toast crunch for
dessert, or try the mochi. Walk off the
calories by perusing the aisles for
Japanese grocery items.
Tsuruhashi—order bimbibap in stone pot
(it's like fried rice) and the premium kobe
boneless short rib. It may seem pricey,
but for the value, we swear it's the best
meat you'll ever taste.
Sushi Imari—a great place if you want to
eat combination rolls with your friends.
Personal favorite: genius roll. (They put
fried onions on top of a california roll with
a thick brown sauce. Tastes amazing!)
Also, to every customer, they give free
appetizers on the house.
no rules. don’t be
afraid to do
whatever you want.
cooking doesn’t
have rules. I like it
that way.
Masaharu
Morimoto
The Finest Things
Orange County is currently producing some amazing food that rivals top rated chefs
throughout America. This is a short list of some of the higher end fare in the area. Once in a
while you deserve to really treat yourself to some gluttonous gourmet goodness.
Sol Grill—This small little gem, located in
Newport Beach, serves up simple comfort
food with a spin. It’s intimate atmosphere,
and great staff, make it feel like you are
having dinner at a friends house. Great
spot for a Date.
ARC—#1 new spot in OC. They embrace
a pre 1900’s philosophy when it comes to
food and drink. All of their food is cooked
over open wood flame at over 800˚. Their
Speak-easy-esque bar menu celebrates
the bold flavors of whisky and gin, with
some real twists. The food is simply
amazing. I don’t even know where to
start—The Bacon, salmon, steak, potatoes,
Burgers. Go with a group and splurge to
celebrate!
Playground—Santa Ana’s artist district is a
flourishing revival of an otherwise
forgotten area in Orange County, and the
team at Playground is leading the charge.
Decadent, creative food, that is not only
delicious and fresh, but whimsical and
inventive. Go for Sunday dinner—it’s
pretty much like a no holds barred chef’s
menu. MMMMMMMM
Chapter One—Also in the Santa Ana Art
Sector, Chapter One serves up amazing
craft cocktails, paired with amazing food.
They serve Piranha for God’s sake—how
cool is that? They also have a killer
version of chicken and waffles—you can
check that one out on your own.
Mesa—Just an all around cool spot located
in the Camp, serving up modern cuisine
and craft cocktails in a crazy awesome
environment. They have a retractable
roof, giant fireplaces, and a vine wall
inside that brings the outside in, and
makes it feel like nothing you’ve ever
experienced.
Mastros—one of the best pieces of grassfed, beautiful, bovine goodness you will
ever put in your mouth. Start with a
seafood tower, then a Bone in Wagyu
Ribeye w/ Lobster Mashed Potatoes, and
truffle Mac n Cheese, but SAVE some
room for Butter Cake. Worth every
penny—save $200 from your student loan
budget and treat yourself June 2nd.
True Food—Great spot in Fashion Island
serving up environmentally conscious
fare, in a simple creative manner, all
housed in very “organic” space. The
name pretty much says it all.
Gulfstream/Bandera—The Hillstone
group (Huston’s) are masters of their
craft, and these are two of their lesser
known concepts located in Newport.
Bandera is a refined Barbeque style
restaurant with amazing drinks, and even
better food. Gulfstream is simple clean
modern cuisine, never failing to deliver.
3Thirty3—Newport’s bayside area is a
great little hang out spot for the
sophisticated night out with friends.
Great food and wine, also an amazing
happy hour, all served while you are
nestled in big couches relaxing on the
water. Ummm….Yes Please!
Season’s 52—Located at South Coast
Plaza, this spot is an amazing concept: an
ever changing, seasonal, local, fresh
menu; prepared so that every dish is
under 450 calories. The best part, you
will walk out stuffed. The food is amazing,
and they truly prove that great food can
be very good for you.
The Cannery—located in the Lido
Shipyard area, the Cannery is just that—
an old fish-packing house that serves
some hi-brow good chow. Sushi, steak,
Fish, it all rocks. The lounge upstairs has
oversized couches and a great bar scene.
The Dockside patio is also Amazing.
And…..they serve a mean brunch.
Three Seventy Common This spot in
laguna is serving up modern takes on just
about anything you can think of: Foie
Gras, Bone Marrow, Grilled Cheese, and
more. Their eclectic take on traditional
cocktails are brilliant. It’s a gem! Just GO!
The Ranch—across from Disneyland
(UCIMC) this place is taking cowboy food
to atmospheric levels. From the 36oz
bone in Rib-Eye to the butter popcorn ice
cream—it’s a WOW! Add the company of
Master Sommelier, Michael Jordan, and
you can have the meal of a lifetime.
I just find the
world
of food very
exciting
and beautiful
everywhere.
Eric
Ripert
Latin Flare
“tapas is a celebration of life”
Jose Andres
spice up your world with bold flavors
Baja Fish Taco—California is home to a-bajillion
taco spots—chipotle, wahoo’s, del taco, blah blah
blah—but for my money the best Cali Style Tacos
are Baja Fish Taco. With 5 locations in OC, they
serve up super fresh food that is super cheap.
El Matador—Located in Costa Mesa, Matador
serves up traditional Mexican favorites, and has
been doing so for 30+ years. This place is always
packed with locals, and is really inexpensive for
the quality of food.
Taco Mesa—Located in Costa Mesa, Taco Mesa is
a more traditional taqueria, serving rarities such
as Birra(goat), Lengua(tounge), and more, all
while sticking to their traditional roots. It’s a must.
Taco Rosa—Located about 1 mile from campus on
Bonita Canyon Rd, Tia Rosa is the high end
offering of the creators of Taco Mesa. Serving up
traditional Mexican favorites using the finest
ingredients. They have a Sunday Brunch
consisting of some of the most amazing dishes
ever: chilaquilles, breakfast burrito, and
handmade tortillas.
Red O—Critically acclaimed chef, Rick Bayless,
brings his world renowned Mexican concept to
Fashion Island, serving up some of the most
amazing food ever to grace a fork. He has studied
the culture for decades and brings a traditional
hand, to some incredibly modern takes on
Mexican food. The Lamb Colorado is Unreal. The
atmosphere feels like you slipped into the set of an
Indiana Jones movie—Just all around Cool.
Javiers—With multiple locations around the area,
Javier’s is Mexican food elevated to a new level.
Using only the finest ingredients, impeccable
preparation and presentation, and an amazing
atmosphere, Javier’s wows the diner on every
level. I recommend the Crystal Cove location and
taking an Uber—strong Margaritas!
Bear Flag Fish Co.—This is the product of Surfers,
who decided one day to go fishing and open a
taco/burrito shop with about the freshest seafood
you can find. Their Poke is nothing short of AHMAZE-ZING, and the grilled fish burrito is
excellent. Two locations close to school, make this
a winner in my book. Crystal Cove Promenade,
7972 East Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach,
CA 92657
+
The Art of The Burger
I still love making hamburgers on the grill. I guess
whenever I eat them childhood memories come up for me.
Bobby Flay
TK Burger—The classic Beach Burger stand Located in Newport Beach,
TK never disappoints. Burgers, Fries, chicken sandwiches—they all
rock! 2966 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Umami Burger—Umami is located in Costa Mesa, and serves up their
unique version of the hamburger. Packed full of G-Protein Coupled
Receptor mediated flavor modalities, and funky add-ons, this place is
breaking rules when it comes to the traditional burger—and I LIKE IT!
2981 Bristol St
Costa Mesa, CA
The Hub—New to Costa Mesa this year, the Hub is a gastro pub, serving
up cool elevated bar food, along with some killer beers. A great spot to
go and chill after a 4 hour long exam.
Crow Burger—Located in Newport this spot is serving up fresh ground
burgers with some amazing toppings and more. The burgers aren’t
huge so it’s just the right amount of richness. Their veggie burger, and
hangover burger are two of my favorites.
25˚--located in Huntington Beach, this spot also serves up the gourmet
burger in a cool loungy atmosphere, as well as some amazing craft
cocktails. Their burgers are nothing short of amazing and their shakes
and appetizers are equally as good. I highly recommend the bacon
wrapped dates and wings.
Beachcomber Cafe—located on the sand in Crystal Cove, the
Beachcomber has been a staple for decades. There is usually a long
wait, but they give you a pager and you sit on the beach until your table
is ready. If you can make it for sunset, it’s the best around!!
Karl Strauss—Located in the South Coast Metro area, Karl Strauss comes
to OC from San Diego, brewing up some great beer, and serving up
some killer food, that is playful and uses beer to accent the dishes. They
have a great happy hour, and constantly change their menu to keep it
fresh and seasonal.
Eureka—The closest COOL bar to campus, located at UTC the guys at
Eureka serve up killer beer/wine, great food, and have a late night
happy hour that rocks! Their goat cheese burger is epic, and the rest of
the menu doesn’t disappoint either. You will find yourself here at least
once, then come back for more.
Great Maple—New to OC, located at Fashion Island, this spot serves up
Rustic American food that is very clean, and very well executed. The
Brie Grilled Cheese with Rosemary Truffle Hone is pretty epic. They
serve a killer burger too. Turn of the century craft cocktails definitely
satisfy. If you stick to an entrée, you can get out for under $20.
+
the sandwich (re)defined
“too few people understand a really good sandwich." James Beard
Sessions Sandwiches—
Located in Newport Beach,
Sessions serves up West
Coast style grinders, using
only the freshest
ingredients. The Pulled
Pork Sammie, the Thai
Salad, and the Rosemary
Parmesean Chips are all
amazing.
Dory Deli—Located in
Newport Beach, Dory Deli’s
sandwiches are unreal;
using all fresh meats made
in house, and the finest
ingredients—definitely a
great addition
Jimmy Johns—brand new at
UTC this place serves a
solid cheap sammie, plus
they will deliver until 10pm:
even to MED ED!
C4: Cure for the Common
Deli—house cured meat,
homemade everything,
great breakfast. This spot
has it all.
Green Leaf—with two OC
locations, green leaf is
serving up the freshest in
salads, sandwiches, and
more in a very organic
setting. Featuring
reclaimed woods and a
sustainably run model, this
place doesn’t disappoint.
Café R & D—Hillstone
group nails the take on the
American Café, serving
killer sandwiches and
salads that are simple, yet
elegant, and loaded with
flavor. This place is always
poppin.
Medocino Farms—2 OC
locations(one at UTC), and
a Farm-to-Table mentality,
featuring the freshest food
made in-house; this place
will blow your mind. The
Pork Belly Bahn Mi, and
Curry Couscous salad are
simply amazing.
Specialties Sandwiches—
located across the street
from campus, in the UCI
research park, this place
does some magic between
2 slices of bread.
Tender Greens—
Sandwich/Salad/Soup this
place is Awesome!! Fresh,
healthy food, and a lot of it!
Located@UTC so super
convenient too!
+
up all night
no one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they got plenty of sleep.
Baja Sharkeez—Sunday-Saturday this
place is always happening: if you
have a group of 10 or more, say you
want a Happy Hour Party, and they
give you free food and 2-4-1 drinks.
Rudy’s—The best spot to watch
college/nfl football games. With a
retractable roof and great food, this
place is a blast. Get here early if you
want a seat.
Eureka—Closest cool bar to campus,
with a late night happy hour, great
beer, wine, and atmosphere, this
place is a hit. I feel like I’ve already
told you all of this…
Mesa—See above for my review on
this spot, but definitely come check
out the late night bar scene here.
Really mellow, chill vibe a great spot!
Sutra—If you like to dance, then this
is your home. Some of the best
national acts in the EDM scene, state
of the art light and sound
spectacular, this place is insane.
Black Knight—Cool lil hang out spot
with great deals. Wednesday nights
is Wine Wednesday: $5/glass wine
and every 4 gets you a free pizza.
El Ranchito—This place is Taco
Tuesday starter spot: $5 all you can
eat tacos, and $3 margaritas.
The Stagg Bar/District—the Oldest
Bar in Newport. Cool, simple bar—
nothing fancy, and they like it that
way.
Malarky’s—A great lil Irish bar in
Newport, with good breakfast, and a
good spot to just sit n have a few
pints.
Casa—new on the scene in 2014,
Casa is a hipster’s dream come true.
With live folk and art music, craft
cocktails, and great beer, this spot is
the modern day speak easy! Do it.
Ten—A spin off from the Sutra
Group—they also have the great club
vibe, expensive drinks, minus the
solid national EDM talent. Fun
nonetheless.
Blue Beet—Live music and cheap
drinks at one of the oldest bars in
Newport. Fun spot. I also know the
guy that plays music here—he’s
really good.
Newport Brew Co—Great spot for
happy hour or weekend day
drinking. Solid specials, and they
brew some pretty damn good beer.
Observatory—Great spot in Costa
Mesa for live music—from punk rock
to hip-hop this place is a good time
for all.
White House—One of the oldest bars
in Laguna Beach, nothing special, just
a great place to hang out.
Hennesey’s—see above. Like the
White House with a different name.
Saddle Ranch—You will ride the bull
at some point in your medical career.
With locations in Costa Mesa, and
across from UCIMC, you will
eventually end up here feeling like
you can tame the bull—& you will!!!
Mutt Lynchs—Breakfast, beers, and
beach. ThO 3 B’s you need to live a
happy life. on the water in Newport!
American Junkie—Don’t know what
this place is going for, thematically
speaking, but the drinks are cheap
and it’s a lot of fun.
Cassidy’s—A local favorite in
Newport beach. The quintessential
dive bar, nothing fancy, just stiff
drinks, pool, and a bathroom. They
do have one of the best burgers in all
of the area—Shhhhh! It’s a secret.
+ dining at the break of dawn
“hollandaise, I would like to pour over my head and just rub all over myself. eggs
Benedict is genius: it’s eggs covered in eggs. I mean, come on, that person should be
the president.”
Wylie Dufresne
Side Street—Located in Costa Mesa, Side Street is a cool little breakfast
spot that has been serving up the standards their way for 20+ years. A
definite local favorite. 1799 Newport Blvd A105, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Harbor House—with several locations around Orange County(usually
near a beach), Harbor House serves up great diner classics 24 HOURS a
day. This is a critical feature when studying 18 hours a day…You signed
up for this!! 34157 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA
Sugar Shack—Best Breakfast in OC for as long as I can remember.
Located on Main St Huntington Beach, this place serves up simple
breakfast/lunch from 6-3 everyday. Great way to start your weekend!
213 1/2 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA
Breadcrumb Ohana Café—Located in Huntington Beach this spot is family
owned serving up café style breakfast with a Hawaiian spin. I highly
recommend the pancakes and breakfast burrito. 19079 Beach Boulevard,
Beach Garfield, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Haute Cakes Café—located in Costa Mesa, Haut Cakes is a hidden gem
for breakfast, serving amazing dishes like Mexican benedict, and
smoked salmon and eggs, this place is a nice escape from the hectic
pace of med school. 1807 Westcliff Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Plums Café—Located in Costa Mesa, Plums takes breakfast to a whole
new level, serving high-end entrees, such as Filet and Eggs, Salmon
Benedict, and the Dutch Baby Pancakes. Savor this place on weekends
you DON’T have a test on Monday.
Old Vine—Located at the Camp, Old Vine Café serves up eclectic food
with a bit of traditional Italian influence. There is an incredible attention
to detail and homage to traditional techniques and quality ingredients.
Breakfast is a real highlight, however, go during the week to avoid long
waits.
Eat Chow—With several Newport Locations, this place does breakfast
and lunch right. The creators of Haute Cakes Café bring their artisan
approach to a larger scale restaurant. Classic California breakfast
favorites with a health conscious
Mimosa—Located on Del Mar St. in San Clemente, Mimosa may be one of
the best breakfast spots around. With Red Wine Braised Short Rib
Benedict, and Crème Brulee French Toast, you might want to skip dinner
the night before.
Bayside—Also in the bayside are—hence the very creative name—
Bayside delivers amazing food using classical techniques fused with
amazing ingredients. They are best known for their Sunday Brunch,
featuring items such as Venison and Eggs, Roasted Quail, and amazing
Fresh Fish. Also visit their sister restaurant Bistango in Irvine.
+
+
Coffee Ÿ
open
your
eyes…
Juice Ÿ Tea Ÿ
More
Portola—organic coffee, prepared
using lab techniques. Amazing!
Cha for Tea—a go to for boba and
other yummy snacks. A UCI Fav.
Kean— fresh craft coffee and tea
for over 20 years. Hard to beat!
Class 302—solid Boba spot with
some great food as well!
Newport Coffee Co—delicious
coffee & pastries that rock.
7 Leaves—artisan teas, and one of
the best Boba & coffee spots in OC!!
A refreshing study spot with a twist.
Donut Bar—reinventing the donut
every day. Flavors like Heath Bar
Crunch,Bacon Bacon Maple(yes, 2
Bacons), and more! NOM NOM!!
Nekter—blending up some good
drinks for the Juice/Smoothie fan.
They have also been known to spawn
the occasional Acai Bowl addiction.
Side Car—Also a trailblazer in the
Donut category, with fun takes on
classics and inventive combos; this
place is a winner!
Pressed Juicery—Fresh and clean
juices, healthy frozen treats: a
welcome addition to the area.
85˚C Bakery—serving up amazing
Boba and some of the greatest
baked goods around. An OC gem.
Alta—a great cup of Java; amazing
breakfasts. Family owned.
Milk & Honey—craft coffees and
teas; fresh, healthy food. Good for
yer soul!
Euro Café—amazing coffee,
crepes, and sandwiches in a
quaint setting.
Banzai Bowl—the best spot for the
Acai(Ah-Sai-Yee) Bowl. It will be
jammed packed, but it is worth the
wait.
+
the
pizza π
& more …
“believe it or not; americans eat 75 acres of pizza a day”
Cruisers Pizza—new to the
Newport Peninsula, Cruisers
serves up gourmet pizza, killer
beer, and a great vibe. Awesome
spot to watch a game with friends.
Pizzeria Ortica—Pizza on a whole
new level… Ortica is a neuvo Italian
Pizza place serving some amazing
items like Guancale-Arrugula-Ricotta
pizza, & Braised Lamb Parpadalle!
Original Pizza—Located in
Newport Beach this spot, is as it
says—ORIGINAL Pizza. Using
goliath 50 year-old cast iron
ovens, and hand tossing the
dough every day, this spot serves
up good old fashioned pizza.
Pizzeria Mozza—I have a great Idea!
Let’s take a world-renowned Italian
chef (Mario Batali) and a first class
bakery owner (Nancy Silverton) and
make a pizza joint. Result: the most
decadent pizza you can eat. Just GO!
Mama D’s—the best service you
will ever have at a restaurant. The
food is also pretty fantastic: family
style Italian food, plain and
simple. TRY the ravioli!!
Sabatino’s—Located in the Lido
Shipyard in Newport, This old world
Chicago Italian spot serves the best
Sausage you will ever eat. I repeat:
the best sausage—which happens to
be stuffed with mozzarella and goat
cheese—you WILL EVER EAT. OK I
am done here.
Cucina Enoteca—with 2 locations
opened in 2014 close to campus,
Enoteca is taking traditional Italian
food and standing it on it’s head.
With old world favorites, fused
with new world style and
ingredients, this spot is one to
watch in OC.
Ginas Pizza—pizza and Italian
recipes passed down from Mama
Gina. Great food and an OC
favorite.
BJ’S Pizza—great spot for a huge
groups. Gourmet pizzas, food, and
beer. Many locations around OC
that never disappoint.
The Grocery Store Guide
By: Elisa Zhang
Eating out is great, but sometimes you have to give your wallet and your waistline a break. Check
out these student-approved grocery stores for pantry staples and hot deli foods.
Wholesome Choice
18040 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
A UCI student favorite. Wholesome Choice is 10 minutes from the med school and includes a wide
variety of Persian groceries, as well as many Asian grocery staples. It is the cheapest place for most
produce and fruits (with a huge variety too), and you also get a 5% discount if you show them your
UCI student ID! Other student favorites: Persian and Indian hot foods and soups for a quick
weekday lunch or dinner; bulk nuts, dates, dried fruits and roasted chickpeas for study snacks; raw
meats and a seafood section (no pork though), and Sangak, a piping hot 3-foot long flatbread for less
than $3.
Trader Joe’s (University Town Center)
4225 Campus Dr, Irvine CA 92612
Trader Joe’s is 5 minutes from the med school
and filled with reasonably priced essentials for
the busy student. Best values for no-cook
meals and snacks: bananas (0.19/each),
nutritious and delicious pre-made salads,
wraps, and sushi ($4-$5) for quick weekday
lunches, microwaveable brussel sprouts for a
hot dinner, ground coffee, and Irish breakfast
tea (70 sachets for <$3). For those who want to
do minimal cooking, check out their prewashed, pre-trimmed veggies for quick stirfries, bagged salad greens for DIY salads,
delicious boxed soups (Red Pepper and
Roasted Tomato is a personal favorite) and
huge variety of frozen entrees.
Albertson’s
4541 Campus Dr. Irvine, CA
92614
Occasionally has good deals, but
overall not a great band for your
buck. Very close to campus and the
ARC, as well as Verano Place/Palo
Verde/VDC apartments.
Pavilion’s (aka Safeway for all you NorCal folk)
2660 San Miguel Dr., Newport Coast, CA 92660
21181 Newport Coast Dr., Newport Coast, CA, 92657
Close to campus and convenient, especially for those who live in UCI grad housing (Verano
Place/Palo Verde/VDC apartments) or Irvine Company (Turtle Ridge/The Bays) apartment
complexes.
H-Mart
2600 Alton Pkwy, Irvine,
CA 92606
Another ethnic grocery store
(Korean) ~10-15 min from
campus in the Diamond
Jamboree plaza that has great
values on produce, especially
Asian vegetables like gai lan.
Offers many Korean and
Asian ingredients for your
Asian cookery needs. To-go
sushi and Korean lunch items
are also a hit.
99 Ranch
15333 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604
Chinese grocery store ~15 min from campus that also has
great values on produce and offers a more complete set of
Chinese and Asian sauces, dips, and spices for all your Asian
cookery needs.
Sprouts
3775 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606
Check out their weekly ads for specials on produce, poultry,
meats, and bulk nuts/trail mix/dried fruits. Great place to shop
for raw meats, and great place for <$5 deli sandwiches as
well!
Irvine Farmer’s Market
(Saturday mornings
8am-12pm)
5001 Newport Coast Dr., Irvine, CA 92603)
A great Sat morning activity—come peruse the seasonal and
local produce in this open air market, enjoy some free
veggie/fruit/tamale/donut samples and live reggae music,
cross a couple of things off your grocery list, and buy some
sweet treats or lunch items. Standouts include the avocado
vendor, French bread and macarons, local berries, and kettle
corn.
Adventures & Activities
When you’re not buried under books
studying in MedEd or the beautiful Newport
public library, there are countless fun
adventures to be had in Irvine and the
surrounding cities. While Irvine proper can
often sound a bit like suburbia, it has a lot of
surprising traits to offer, and the surrounding
cities like Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach,
Newport and Laguna Beach (just to name a
few), always provide fun and some amazing
nightlife.
There is a lot of culture in Irvine, go
discover it! MS1 is easier than what
everyone makes it out to be. You will
work hard, but it’s doable. There is a cliff
jumping spot in Corona del Mar!
- William Minteer, Class of 2019
Beaches & Water Sports
Let’s be real, you just can’t beat the weather
in Southern California. While any of your friends on
the East Coast are stuck in five feet of snow, you’ll
be lounging on the beach, or for the more
determined folk, studying there. Get ready to talk
beaches people, someone grab the sunscreen.
Each beach has a different vibe, with
beautiful sun, sand and, waves. Here are just a few
of our favorite beaches and lots of activities to do
there. Just like that perfect first cliché date, enjoy
that long walk on the beach and watch the sunset.
The beaches near Irvine are great for walking,
hiking, or running, frisbee, swimming, surfing,
paddle boarding and cliff diving.
Crystal Cove
With great beaches, tide pools, and hiking, Crystal
Cove is a gorgeous area to hang out and relax.
Unfortunately, this is one beach that requires you to
pay for parking and it will cost you a pretty penny, at
$15 a pop for all day. However, a year pass is
available for $195 and is good at any of the CA State
Beach Parks. In addition, if you eat at the
BeachComber (highly recommend for the ambiance,
atmosphere and delicious food), they will validate your parking ticket.
Newport Beach
Off of the Newport Peninsula this long stretch of
beach has great food, bars, and the beautiful
Balboa Pier. Lots of free street and metered
parking along the peninsula will put you within
walking distance of any pier of the beach. These
beaches have tons of volleyball courts along the
stretch if team sports and getting sandy is your
thing.
Corona Del Mar State Beach
This beach has both free street on PCH and
metered parking right up next to the beach. At
low tide, there is cliff that can be reached and
there is a little known tradition amongst some
UCI SOM Big Sib-Little Sib pairings to go cliff
diving after the first exam of the year! This
beach also has tons of first come, first serve fire
pits, so be sure to pick up the s’mores
ingredients on the way. The smaller beach area
off to the side, Pirate’s Cove, is perfect for a
smaller get away and has great bouldering for
the adventurous types. Plus, they allow you to
bring dogs, so, winning!
Huntington Beach
Another great dog beach! It’s also the home of the
So Cal Corgi Beach Day, which occurs a few times a
year. This event includes hundreds of corgis
dressed up in costumes. It is
AMAZING.This beach has one of the
longest piers on the West Coast,
paralleled by tons of volleyball courts,
and juts right off the town. If you love
surfing, this is the place to do it, as
Huntington Beach is well known for
it’s epic waves and you’ll see the best
at next years US Surf Open.
Laguna Beach
Main Beach – the “main” beach at Laguna. A great
place to enjoy outdoor basketball, volleyball, and
shopping. You’ll know you are at the right place when
you see the iconic white lifeguard tower.
Tenth street (aka “1000 steps”) – the hidden gem of
Laguna Beach. Venture down the steep steps to one of
the most beautiful beaches Laguna has to offer.
Beware: parking can be scarce.
Shaw’s Cove - This little beach is quiet, with gorgeous
sand and is the perfect spot to snorkel or dive. Be sure
to check the visibility and surge (via simple google
search) before you go!
Tablerock beach – this beach is known for spectacular
views. Careful: there are PLENTY of rocks here and
swimming can get dangerous.
Salt Creek – a great beach for BBQs/picnics, playing
basketball, and rolling down a big, grassy hill J
Victoria beach – explore the mysterious 60-foot tower,
tide pools, and the circle pool that fills with seawater
during high tide!
For more adventures in the water sports
arena several of our classmates love to Jet
Ski, snorkel, kayak, or rent out a boat to head
out on the water.
• Duffy Boat Rental - Newport Beach
• Newport Beach Boat Rental
• Newport Aquatic Center
• Dana Point Jet Ski
• Balboa Water Sports
Orange County Surfing Guide
Newport, Trestles, Huntington, and the
Wedge harbor world class waves and are available
for your surfing pleasure at UC Irvine. Wave size
ranges from ankle biters to 30 foot monsters,
averaging in the 3-7 foot range. Trunking was
shockingly feasible until late October in 2015,
but generally a 3/4 or 4/3 wetsuit will keep you warm
between October and May.
Newport beach is the closest, most
convenient beach break and has dozens of jetties
NewportBeach
(plus free street parking). You can usually find a
peak to yourself and is a friendly place to learn how to
surf. Trestles is THE premier high performance wave
of the entire west coast, located 20-25 minutes south
of campus in San Onofre. Surfers travel from all over
the world to visit that wave. Huntington beach is
located 15 minutes north of campus and is home to
the US Open of Surfing every summer. This is
another friendly place to learn how to surf – UCI’s
VansUSOpenofSurfatHuntingtonBeach
ARC provide surfing lessons for all levels
(http://www.campusrec.uci.edu/outdoor/). Finally, The
Wedge, located at the southwest end of the Newport Peninsula and reaches wave heights
greater than 30 feet--a terrifying barrel that attracts large crowds on big days. Unless the
waves are small, surfing is not recommended here. Grab a sponge and some booties!
Trestles
From Boomers to the Newport Bars to the
Irvine spectrum, there are a lot of things to do in
and around the Irvine area. Grab a group and
explore! There are a bunch of fun nooks and
crannies waiting to be found.
- Bima Hasjim, Class of 2019
UCIstudentsatNewportBeach,takingasurfingclass
throughtheARC
Parks & Trails
Gorgeous walking, running, and hiking trails, a quick picnic spot, plus mountain biking, and
long cycling routes ahead.
Back Bay
10.8 miles of amazing walking, hiking, biking, and
equestrian trails. The end point is Newport Dunes, a
secluded little bay beach that’s a great place to get away
from normal traffic.
Crystal Cove State Beach
A perfect place for hiking, scuba diving, and exploring
the tide pools. This gorgeous state park is a protected
area with beautiful trails, marine life, and scenery. With
multiple trails ranging from three miles to eleven miles,
and several camping areas, its perfect for hikers of every
experience level. Parking passes are $15 for a day pass.
Be sure to check out the El Moro Canyon hikes and
specifically the trail known as: The Elevator (Protip:
Avoid buying a parking day pass at the state park by
parking at Coastal Peak Park for free street parking. This
will put you at the top of the hill, and then take the trails
down and through Crystal Cove State Park to reach the
beach).
Bommer Canyon
This beautiful hiking trial runs all the way through Irvine and you can
pick it up within walking distance from campus.
Mason Park
A beautiful park with some of the best sunsets Irvine has to offer.
Good for runs, hanging out, picnics, and BBQs.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Perfect for hikers of every level, this park has great trails
and great scenery.
Top of the World Park
Bring water, and prep for a steep hike, but the views are
worth it. Prepare yourself for the gorgeous sights
from the peak.
San Joaquin Bike Trail/San Diego Trail
Easy to pick up right by campus, Irvine has many trails
that allow you to go 40+ miles without ever seeing a car,
which is great, considering how people in California
drive.
San Diego Creek Bikeway
This trail way connects all of Irvine’s Class I and Class II
bike lanes, making it the perfect way to combine and
create extensive biking loops. Beginning in Newport
Beach it meets up with the Back Bay Loop Trail and
follows the San Diego Creek, ending near the junction of
the 405 and 133 freeways.
A longer list of Orange County’s parks/trails can be
found be here.
Camping
If you’re looking for places to take an overnight trip, several of the state parks above offer
beautiful, well-maintained campgrounds. Here’s a list of just a few others to check out.
Just outside of Irvine, you’ll find some of the most beautiful state and national parks this
country has to offer. Here are just a few of your future classmates’ favorites: Joshua Tree, Red
Rocks, Big Bear, Eastern Sierra, Yosemite, Death Valley and Mammoth. Be sure to grab more
information over in the “Staycation” section of this guide.
DeathValley
JoshuaTree
Snowboarding & Ice skating
If you ever get tired of beach bumming, the mountains are just a couple hours drive away.
Head up to Big Bear or Mountain High and hit the slopes for a day or weekend trip. Best
however spare a few more hours of driving to visit Eastern Sierras’ gem Mammoth Mountain.
It is a world class resort with the highest peak in CA at 11,053 ft. Maybe scope out AirBnB if
you have a weekend of non-studying and want to get away with some friends.
• Mammoth Mountain
• Big Bear
• Mountain High
Skate Spectrum
Even though the weather might be warm and beautiful, SoCal still has those wintertime
activities you love. Ice skating is available at the Irvine Spectrum and for the little tykes,
Downtown Disney creates a small skating rink in the winter filled with Disney magic.
Anaheim Ice Rink
Since the weather legitimately inhibits natural ice skating here, “The Rinks” is where it’s at.
Though it is the official training facility of the Anaheim Ducks, there are public ice skating
hours.
IceSkatingattheIrvineSpectrum
AnaheimIceRink
Golf
Looking to unwind, but adult at the same time? Looking to get
some sun, but also improve that handicap? Looking to exercise,
but not physically exert yourself? Hit the links! Irvine and the rest
of Orange County have the courses for you to work on your bid
for the PGA tour. Below is a list of a few:
• Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course
• Oak Creek Golf Club
• Pelican Hill
• Tustin Ranch Golf Club
Parks and Resorts
Downtown Disney
Grand Californian Hotel
Want the magic of Disney without the
ticket entrance? Go hang out in
Downtown Disney, featuring great
shops, restaurants and a surprisingly
cool bar and live music scene. If
you’re looking to relax for a bit, check
out the Grand California Hotel near
the California Adventure Park, it’s
great for brunch and a dip at the pool.
Disneyland
The happiest place on Earth, need I say more? Guess what, you live in Irvine now, which makes
you a SoCal resident, so bring on the discounted tickets! We can guarantee you that some of
your classmates have annual passes! Protip: Check out the World of Color water and light show
in California Adventure, it’ll knock your socks off.
First year academics ultimately
don't matter that much. Use first
year to have fun, ease into med
school, and do things that you
really want to do!
Allen Yu,Classof2019
Medical school is more fun and
way more manageable than you
think. You can absolutely make
time for friends and families.
Marie-Claire Matsuo,Classof2018
-
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm (technically Buena Park) – a
great theme park to visit if you don’t want to
travel far but want to ride a few more highintensity roller coasters than Disneyland offers.
From September to October, Knott’s Berry Farm
turns into “Knott’s Scary Farm” – a thrilling,
freighting, and team building experience
guaranteed to make everlasting, embarrassing
memories!
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Located in Valencia, right after the grapevine for
NorCal drivers making the drive back down to
Irvine, Six Flags Magic Mountain holds the world
record for most roller coasters in an amusement
park (19 roller coasters). Its DC Universe themed
attractions are their biggest hits.
Great Park Balloon
The OC Great park was built at the former location of
the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. At its completion,
the Great Park is estimated to be 2x the size of NY’s
Central Park. The Great Park Balloon is the Orange
County Great Park’s iconic hot air balloon ride. It holds
up to 25 to 30 passengers, and soars 400 feet above
the surrounding landscape, serving as a public
observation deck with 360° views that spans 40 miles
on a clear day.
Balboa Island
Head on over to Balboa Island and play tourist in your
own backyard! (Protip: Don’t actually be a tourist with
other tourists…wait until tourist season ends, as it can
get pretty crowded and not super fun when busy.)
Once on the island, stroll around, pull a GOB Bluth and
see if there really is money in the banana stand, or
don’t, but definitely grab a chocolate-covered banana
while you’re there. If you’re in the mood, hop on a
surrey and take a ride around. If you’d rather enjoy the
water, kayaking and paddle boarding on the harbor are
also offered from here.
Pelican Hill Resort
Pelican Hill is a beautiful resort up in the hills of
Newport with amazing views and a gorgeous pool.
It's a great place to go for brunch, or to study with
coffee. Usually you can lie out by the pool and go for
a swim if it's not too crowded. There is also a great
spa when you need a massage after all the time
hunched over studying and dissecting.
Montage Hotel
Located in Laguna Beach.
Protip: If you turn right after the entrance to the resort there is a small public parking lot. You
can walk into the resort lounge and the view from the balcony is amazing.
Shopping and
Window Watching
MovieTheaters
Whether you need retail therapy,
have an epic sense of style, or just
need some new threads for CF,
Irvine has you covered.
Whetherit’sPitchPerfect2ortheAvengers,
Irvine’sgotthemovietheatrehookupto
makesureyou’rethereforthatmidnight
premiere.
FashionIsland-collectionofluxuryboutiques
andfinedining.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
EdwardsWestpark8
EdwardsBigNewport6
IslandCinema
RegalCinemas
AMCTustin14attheDistrict
AMCTustin14atTheDistrict
IrvineWoodbridge5Theatre
o
TheDistrict–getyourshopanddineonwitha
wideselectionofchoicesattheDistrict.Thereis
alsoamovietheaterandabowlingalley.
$2matinéemoviesand$3after
6pm!Usuallyshowsmoviesthat
areafewmonthsold,butreally,
inmedicalschoolwhohastime
toseemoviesrightwhenthey
comeintheatersanyways.
• EdwardsUniversityTown
Center6
o
Lookingformoretheoftheindie
movie/sundancefilmvibe,look
nofurther.
• TriangleSquareCinema
SouthCoastPlaza–SouthCoastPlazaisyour
commonmallfilledwiththeusualfoodcourt,
Nordstrom,footlocker,andetc.Locatedjusta
blockawayfromtheSegerstormCenterforthe
artsmakesitaconvenientwalkfordeserts
afteramusicalorBroadway.
Enjoy medical school.
Study efficiently and enjoy
your time off.
Kyle Hersh, Classof2016
IrvineSpectrum-Braceyourselfpeople,TheIrvineSpectrummallissobigithas
bothaFerriswheel,iceskatingrink,andacarousel.Overtheyears,theIrvine
SpectrumhasexpandedtobecomeoneofthelargestshoppingcentersinOrange
County.Forthekidinallofus,thereisalsoamovietheater,Ferriswheel(aka
“GiantWheel”),carousel,andanice-skatingrinkiftheseasonpermits.
TheLabAntimall–avoidthebasic-nessofnormalmallsandheadtotheantimall,a
recyclednightvisiongogglefactoryturnedintoauniquecollectionofrestaurants
andshops.TheLabalsohostsavarietyofartevents!
BalboaIsland–frozenbananasandfun
carnivalgamesarejusta5-minuteferry
rideaway.
DiamondJamboree–acool,littlecenter
ofdeliciouscuisine,Asiansupermarkets,
andkaraoke!
TheOrangeCircle(akaPlaza)–walk
aroundanddiscoverthetasty
restaurants,bars,andnightlifethatthe
OrangeCirclehastooffer.Locatedin
OldTownOrange.
AnaheimPackingDistrict–afoodcourt
withatwist!Hereyoucanfindaneclectic
offeringoffood,drinks,anddessertsina
stylishmarketplace.DrinksattheBlind
Rabbitspeakeasyfollowedbycustomized
popsiclesdippedinvarioustoppingsat
PopBar?YESPLEASE.
DAY-GETAWAYS
Long Beach
Queen Mary – take a day tour, enjoy brunch, and explore the rich history of this
retired cruise ship.
Aquarium of the Pacific – fish. Sea otters. Sharks. PENGUINS. Enough said.
Nightlife – If you’d like a wild night out but don’t want to travel far, Long Beach
has you covered. LB has a little bit of everything: delicious restaurants, chill bars,
and wild nightclubs if you really feel like dancing! Tip: Current students
recommend hanging out on 2nd street.
Catalina Island (1-hour boat)
ride)
Catalina offers a plethora of fun activities, including diving,
snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, and
biking, to name a few. It is an awesome way to detach yourself
from the norms of Southern California. Transportation to
Catalina leaves from Long Beach, Newport Beach, or Dana Point.
Big Bear (2 hour drive)
If you’re itching for the snow, Big Bear is a premier destination
for snowboarders and skiers alike. Note: You can get a discount
on lift tickets through UCI or through local businesses.
San Diego (1 – 1.5 hours)
Pacific Beach – a beach town with a lot of restaurants,
bars, and outdoor activities. Hotel of choice = Diamond
Head Inn.
Advice from a classmate: “park your car, leave it, and
enjoy the weekend on foot!”
San Diego Zoo – one of the best zoos in existence and
one of the only zoos in the world where you can see Giant
Pandas.
Sea World – another main San Diego attraction, geared
towards exploring aquatic life.
Gaslamp District – known for its shopping, dining, and
entertainment. The nightlife here is among the best in
Southern California, with memorable bars, pubs, and
speakeasies such as the Tipsy Crow and The Hopping Pig.
If you’re looking for a really unique experience, we
suggest checking out the Noble Experiment, a hidden
speakeasy inside of another bar.
La Jolla Cove – this is a small, beautiful beach perfect for
snorkeling, swimming, and diving. It is not uncommon to
see wildlife here during your visit!
Coronado Beach – a beautiful San Diego beach known for its glittering, gold flecks in the soft sand.
The Hotel Del is a gorgeous hotel (albeit an extremely
expensive one) that is associated with this beach.
Blacks Beach – a surfing hot spot for locals that also
doubles as a nude beach for the senior population.
Ocean Beach – has a dog beach and a pier for fishing. As
one classmate put it, this is a “hippie area, bring cash.”
Padres Baseball and Chargers Football – not feeling the
Angels or Dodgers? What about the LA Rams? No worries,
San Diego’s got you covered!
Del Mar Race Tracks – when headed to this iconic venue to
watch horse races, don’t forget to dress to the nines.
Julian, CA (1 hour from SD) – an old mining town with a
“very unique charm.” Apple pie here is a must!
Los Angeles (1-hour drive)
Hollywood sign – for a spectacular view, you can hike
to the Hollywood sign by the Hollyridge trail.
The Getty – in addition to exploring this popular
museum, the Getty offers beautiful architecture,
gardens, and views overlooking LA. Admission to this
museum is FREE.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) – one of
the largest art museums in the West. Students get a
discount with a valid ID.
Little Tokyo – the best place in the area to enjoy
Japanese culture, cuisine, and shopping.
Griffith Observatory – some of the most spectacular
views of LA and the vast sky above.
Staples Center – a large, sports arena that is the home
of the Lakers and Clippers (NBA), Sparks (WNBA), and
Kings (NHL).
California Science Center – center for science lovers!
This center offers interactive science exhibits,
educational films, and of course, the Endeavour.
Pantages Theatre – one of the greatest locations for
live Broadway musicals.
Malibu – a hot spot for surfing and hiking. Advice from
an insider: “One Lily’s breakfast burrito will feed you for
a whole day. You can surf at county line for a point break
or Zuma for a beach break. Solstice canyon is a beautiful
hike (or run for the ambitious) with ruins of an old
mansion and waterfalls.” Escondido Falls is also a fun
hike that has some of the largest waterfalls in the Santa
Monica Mountains.
Universal Studios Hollywood – enjoy theme park rides,
King Kong 360 3D, and where Hollywood movies are
made! Perfect place for you to get lost in imagination
and (transiently) forget your upcoming exams.
Six Flags Magic Mountain (Off the 5 freeway in Valencia;
way north of LA) – THE best theme park if your mission
is to ride the biggest and most intense roller coasters
around.
Topanga State Park – 36 miles of trails through the
Santa Monica Mountains with fantastic views of the
ocean.
Runyon Canyon Park – one of the most popular hiking destinations in LA.
Palm Springs (1.5-hour drive)
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway – jump into the World’s
largest rotating tramcar and enjoy the journey to the top
of the mountain!
Desert Hill/Cabazon Premium Outlets – a large outlet mall
with ~200 stores. Nike, Adidas, UnderArmour, Nordstrom
Rack, Pac Sun are just to name a few. Cabazon is the
perfect way to ease that medical school debt!
Joshua Tree National Park – where the Mojave Desert and
the Colorado Desert meet. This place is for you if you
enjoy any of the following: hiking, biking, climbing,
bouldering, or wildflower/bird searching. Additionally, this
is the perfect spot for stargazing, if you can ignore the
coyotes howling nearby…
Coachella – is an annual music and arts festival that headlines some of the biggest names in music, as
well as emerging artists. Across the grounds, several stages continuously host live music.
Santa Barbara (3-hour drive)
Wine Tasting – Santa Barbara’s Wineries are some of the best in
the state. This is a must if you vacation in Santa Barbara.
Yanonali Street – if you don’t want to travel to wineries, Yanonali
street is a great alternative. Here you can experience great wine
and beer tasting, with live music on the weekends. Suggestion:
try the SB Urban Wine Trail!
State Street – a long street filled with small boutiques and mind-blowing dining that runs through the
heart of Downtown SB. Experience the crazy nightlife (i.e. bars and clubs) of Santa Barbara on
Thursday – Saturday nights.
Hiking – Santa Barbara offers beautiful hikes through the Santa Ynez mountains that overlook the
city and ocean below. The challenging hike to Inspiration Point is sure to not disappoint. Don’t
forget the fantastic beach hikes as well.
Vegas (4-5 hours)
If you must… the answer is yes, you can do Vegas in 24 hours…
The Strip – hotels. Buffets. Casinos, and just a lot of other
stuff… you might even marry a future doctor here (the
perks/liabilities of going with classmates).
Fremont Street – the second most famous street in Las
Vegas. Explore the various casinos, hotels, and enjoy the
Fremont Light show! If you’re feeling UP (heh heh) to it, you
can also soar above the street on the Slotzilla Zip Line.
Red Rock Canyon – known for its amazing hiking, biking, and
rock climbing. Immerse yourself in nature at Nevada’s first
National Conservation Area!
Other Casinos
•
Pechanga (1.25 hours)
•
•
Pala Casino (1.25 hours)
Morongo (1.5 hours)
•
Chumash (3 hours)
•
Vegas, of course (4-5 hours)
Eastern Sierra/Mammoth/Bishop/Northern California (6-hour)
drive)
Some of the most breathtaking views around. Explore nature and wildlife through pretty much every
outdoor activity you can think of: hiking, backpacking, climbing, fishing, skiing, and more. If you are
more of an appreciator of the urban landscape, downtown San Francisco and Reno are sights to see!
Festivals, Concerts, & Shows
Live Music/Concerts
There are some awesome local areas that offer the chance to hear live music. A couple of your
classmate’s fave spots are The Observatory, Blue Beet, The Black Knight, and Wayfarer. Be sure to take
advantage of the amazing local talent or maybe go out to support fellow classmates…there are definitely
more than a few that have musical talent up their sleeves!
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
During the summer this spot has the best
national acts, and is one of the most
intimate outdoor theaters you will go to.
They often have groupons for lawn seats
which are super cheap.
Music Festivals
The SoCal location puts us in close
proximity to a lot of the music festivals
in the area. The big name options
include, Coachella, Burning Man, and Stagecoach. There is a plethora of other options, so scope out this
website if festivals are your thing.
OC Night Market & Festivals
Tet Festival
Attracting over 100,000 patrons from throughout the country and abroad. Visitors are immersed with a
vibrant array of traditional Vietnamese foods, live entertainment, festive games, and customs celebrating
the New Year.
OC Night Market
Occurs two weekends each
summer and features over
200 types of food,
merchandise, crafts, arts,
games, music, and
entertainment attractions in
one jam-packed weekend of
festivities.
The Lantern Festival
Includes music, dancing, s’mores and, when the time is right, lighting the sky with paper lanterns.
Night Nation Run
A great option to burn off the calories you gained from all of the food festivals! Night Nation Run is the
world’s first Running Music Festival. A musical voyage filled with lights, lasers, beats and celebration for
the lover of Electric
Dance Music. Run, walk,
skip or dance your way
through this electrifying
adventure. Your journey
will take you through an
illuminated racecourse to
multiple DJ stages, each
with its own unique
exhilarating party,
finishing with an
explosive main stage after party.
Sporting Events
Our very own Anteaters are home to a rising basketball program and top notch baseball and volleyball
programs. Professionally, UCI is just 20 minutes from Angel’s stadium and the Duck’s ice arena. If you
can make it past LA traffic, Los Angeles has several options for those that bleed Dodger blue and the
Staples Center is home to the Lakers and Clippers. A few hours south reside the San Diego Chargers.
Also, don’t forget, Fall of 2016 also marks the return of the Los Angeles Rams to southern California!
AnaheimAngelsBaseball
LosAngelesRams
AnaheimDucks
StaplesCenter–LosAngelesLakersand
Clippers
UCIrvine,ZOT!
LosAngelesDodgers
Study Spaces
MedEd can get a tad claustrophobic at times, so there are some
other places you can turn to for studying. One place that many
students love is the Newport Public Library. Get yourself a
library card, head on up to the 2nd floor, and snag a seat at one
of the desks that gives glimpses of the ocean. Super helpful
when you’re sick of studying but want to remind yourself that
you’re darn lucky to be in medical school in such a beautiful
place. Make sure to check the website for hours because they
don’t stay open very late on the weekend
On-campus options
UCI SOM’s Medical Education
Building (AKA Med Ed)
On-campus studiers will get to know these
walls really well. The small café on the patio
can fuel those mid-day cravings.
Langson Library
Situated right across Gateway Study Center. A
great way to get some exercise and a good
excuse to walk across beautiful Aldrich Park. Francisco J. Ayala Science Library
(AKA Sci Li)
A nostalgic option for UCI Alumni. There is a
room dedicated to graduate students to help
filter out the noisy undergraduates. Ask the
front desk for details
Gateway Study Center
When
the UCI campus was first born, Gateway
was the main cafeteria as pictured to the left.
Now
a converted study center, the atmosphere
inside is much different as you can imagine!
Public Libraries
Newport Beach Public Library
A UCI SOM student favorite. Has a fantastic learning
environment and outside seating to catch some
Vitamin D. A small café is located inside to keep you
going. Sherman Library and Gardens at Corona Del Mar
Irvine Heritage Park
Irvine University Park Library
CoffeeShops
Proper caffeination is key to medical school survival. While we can’t yet hook up a coffee IV directly into
your median cubital vein, the following suggestions will keep you happy and awake through those long
days of studying. (See the dining guide for more suggestions/details).
Portola Coffee Lab
Prepare your hipster coffee senses and take a deep
sip of this epically roasted coffee or espresso with
two locations nearby in Costa Mesa and Orange.
Alta Coffee Shop
This cute little coffee shop on Newport Peninsula
offers great coffee, brunch and a hip atmosphere.
Protip: Bring your own mug to keep there, they’ll
wash it for you and give you a discount.
Kean Coffee
This cute little coffee shop on Newport Peninsula
offers great coffee, brunch and a hip atmosphere.
Protip: Bring your own mug to keep there, they’ll
wash it for you and give you a discount.
This coffee is the real deal. With epic coffee and a
chill vibe, sit and catch up with a good book joint. Just
know, they don’t offer wifi, which can actually be
really nice.
Starbucks Coffee
It wouldn’t be a proper coffee shop section if
Starbucks isn’t in it. Starbuck’s coffee shops are
everywhere in Irvine. Running up a close second is
Pete’s coffee. The closest Starbucks from UCI
SOM’s campus is across the street. The Anteater Recreation Center
By Jessica Lin, Alex Anshus
The Anteater Recreation Center, also known as
the ARC, is UCI's student recreation facility/gym, and
reportedly one of the finest of any university in California.
Regardless of how you like to exercise, chances are the
ARC has you covered: basketball courts, racquetball
courts, weight training rooms, an indoor track, exercise
classes, a rock climbing wall, plenty of outdoor facilities
(pool, baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts), and
much, much more! They coordinate countless recreational
classes at the ARC as well, including scuba certification,
healthy cooking courses, dance, yoga, martial arts, and
more. Don’t have the right gear? The ARC has you
covered. You can also rent equipment, such as towels,
basketballs, footballs, and many more. All medical
students have access to the ARC, although it's located on
the opposite side of campus relative to the medical school
(but right across the street from Palo Verde and Verano
Place campus housing). For full details, visit the ARC
website
The ARC is so state-of-the-art that Los
Angeles Laker legend, Kobe Bryant, and
San Antonio Spur, Lamarcus Aldridge,
used to make occasional appearances
(although I have yet to see him there).
ARC Tricks of the Trade:
● If you register with the staff there, you can use
fingerprint technology to identify yourself and
gain access to the facilities. That way you
don't have to carry your student ID with you
when you work out.
● Being such a nice gym that services the entire
UCI student body, the ARC can get pretty
crowded at times. Depending on your
anticipated activity, you may want to avoid
busy hours.
● For example, I play a lot of pickup basketball
there, but if I show up between 4:30-7 pm on
a weekday, I probably will have to wait a few
games before I'm able to play.
● In case things are too crowded inside, there
are plenty of outdoor facilities to take
advantage of.
Keep yourself sane by finding
something to do regularly that
isn't school related!
Tom Keown, Class of 2019
Intramural Sports
Intramurals at UCI are very similar to
most college intramurals, and are
tons of fun. There are countless
sports/leagues available to choose
“Ok, so I know UCI is already awesome, but as a
from, each of which are usually
gym/pool frequent I read through the ARC website
and am sold. Besides having everything from
offered one quarter per year. The
classes (even guitar/cooking classes-what?!) to
more popular sports may be broken
standard gym space, pool, and every sport field
up into leagues of varying levels of
possible, Yelp reviews even show UCLA students
who prefer our gym to theirs. Also, Gear Up can
competition, and every league will
give me pool buoys for swimming: take THAT, 24
have a mix of undergraduates and
hr! UCI also has an amazing rock wall. Don't forget
about the martial arts mat room...not going to lie that
graduate students filling its rosters.
was a selling point for me. Not a lot of gyms have
Most sports have about a 5 game
that. They also occasionally host free classes-season, followed by some sort of
usually cooking”
playoff tournament for teams that
- Robi Bucayu, Class of 2019
qualify. These teams are really what
you make out of them: if you are
committed and want to put in a lot of
time your team can coordinate
practices among themselves, and if
you're not into that and just want to
have some fun, you can just show up
once a week for your games. Any team that wins the championship gets a glorious IM
championship t-shirt. UCISOM has an impressive track record with IMs, with representation in
most leagues and even some championships! So if you're interested at all and want to play with
other med students, don't hesitate to ask around and someone will point you in the right
direction. We're banking on you to continue our legacy!
For more information/details, please visit: campus rec sports.
Exercise, Activities, and Classes
Dancing and Dance Classes
Whirl your way around the dance floor or bust a move with
new friends. Whether you want to learn a new style of
dance or just go hit the floor and impress your classmates
with your sweet rhythm, Irvine’s got you covered.
• Atomic Ballroom and Avant Garde Ballroom –
Ballroom, Swing, and sexy Latin styles like the
Salsa and Rumba
• Focus Dance Center – Located nearby in UTC, this
studio has classes for every type of dance, but
their hip hop is where it’s at.
Rock Climbing
ARC Rock Wall
For indoor climbing, the ARC has a small rock wall towards the entrance
of the gym. It’s a great place to learn to climb, belay, or perfect your
skills. Classes are available for all levels of climbers or to learn a new
skill, like lead climbing.
Sender One Gym
Started by arguably the best sport climber in the world, Chris Sharma,
this gym is one of the most progressive gyms in the US with walls
topping out at 60 ft. The gym offers classes for all levels of climbing
ability taught by certified and well-experienced friendly staff. It is a must
visit for anyone interested in climbing. Included in this gym are also a full
workout area and a yoga studio offering variety of classes. The gym
offers student discounts and monthly free visitor pass with membership.
Outdoor Climbing
If you want to head out and climb some real rocks, you’re in luck. Many
of your future classmates are huge climbing enthusiasts, planning trips
to head out almost every weekend. Orange County offers easy access to
many famous climbing areas: For sport climbing enthusiasts visit Malibu
Creek State Park, Riverside Quarry, Red Rocks, or New Jack City.
For trad climbing and bouldering visit the national park at Joshua Tree,
Tahquitz, or the TramWay.
Cooking Classes
If you find yourself getting sick of In ‘n Out Burger and Chipotle for
dinner every night, blasphemous, I know, then maybe you should try
out a cooking class! The ARC, Sur la Table and TSpoons are two
local places that offer adult cooking class. Put those cutting skills you
learn in anatomy to use and realize how Dr. Wiki has taught you
something besides how to imitate a Minnesotan accent.
For the social media fanatics, head over Soe Thein’s
(Class of 2018) Instagram: @limeandcilantro. Your
mouths will be watering for days.
Yoga
• Core Power Yoga
• Bikram Yoga Irvine
• Yoga Shakti
• Triad Yoga
• Radiant Hot Yoga
• Mixx Yoga
Get your stretch on and loosen up all the muscles
whose names and functions you just memorized for
Anatomy. Here are just a few favs, but be sure to check
out the studio website, groupon, and yelp, as most of
these places offer discounts for first time patrons or
monthly deals.
Barre Classes
• Pure Barre Newport Beach
• CardioBarre
Irvine offers several awesome barre studios if you’re
looking to add some dance training to your workout regime.
Cross Fit
CrossFit Vibe
If you’re looking for a little more strength
and gymnastic training than what the
ARC offers, CFV is the place for you!
They offer a great deal for UCI Med
Students for $129/month, but if there are
more than five people from UCI that join,
it drops to $99. This box is close to
school, has an intense, energizing
environment, and is a nice way to get
outside the UCI MedEd bubble.
CrossFit Newport Beach
f you’re new to CrossFit, this location offers
new intro classes twice/month. Whether
you’re the seasoned pro, or just starting out,
this location offers great training and a
welcoming atmosphere.
Aerial Skills
Aerial Arts Newport Beach
Whether you’re looking for a new workout adventure or a seasoned aerial pro, Irvine has tons of
aerial gyms to check out. Get a great workout of incorporating strength and flexibility, all while
suspended in air.
Crafting
The Irvine Fine Arts Center’s Ceramics Studio is a
popular place to take classes and offers specialized
seasonal workshops all throughout the year. The
studio is also a great place to work independently on
projects while meeting other clay-enthusiasts during
their weekly scheduled Open Studio sessions. Get a
group together or fly solo, this is a fun activity for all.
Irvine Ceramics
Orange County Farmers Markets
Section 3: Housing Options
Bedroom 1
(12’7”× 12’4”)
Kitchen, and
Living/Dining
(12’5”× 28’)
Bath
Patio
Bedroom 2
(12’7”× 12’4”)
Warning:
The following content will possibly
answer all of your questions regarding
life, medicine, and the world around us.
Okay, guilty, that was a bit of an
oversell… but you will probably figure
out where to live when you’re done, so
that’s pretty cool!
Palo Verde Graduate Apartments
http://housing.uci.edu/housingOptions/Palo_Verde.html
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Across from the ARC
Students: Jessica Lin, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 1.5ba; I have 1
roommate who is a 3rd year criminology
PhD student. I applied for on campus grad
housing and ended up at PV.
Total Rent: $811 per month
Rent Per Person: $811 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Distance from UCI SOM: 1.6 miles
Can you bike it?: Definitely
Distance from UCIMC: 18 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 5.1
miles to Corona Del Mar
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:45
The application for on campus housing was easier than finding a place
off campus. I wasn't able to visit apartments before moving, so I just
settled with living on campus. I'm glad I live across the street from the
ARC...or I'd probably never work out.
Why Should I not want to live here?
It is possible to get a roommate you don't like...and it could be a
whole year before you can move...so it's a gamble. BUT you get
to email your future roommate before signing the lease.
I really like PV and my roommate so I'll be renewing my lease for
next year :)
Zip Code: 92617
Pet Friendly: No
Grocery Stores nearby: 2
Restaurants nearby: Many; Afters Ice
Cream, 85 Degree Bakery, Sunmerry Bakery
Demographic of the complex: Med
students and grad students
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5+
Amenities:
ü Pay for laundry
ü Unfurnished
ü Rent includes internet but excludes
electricity
Palo Verde Graduate Apartments
http://housing.uci.edu/housingOptions/Palo_Verde.html
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet and comfortable
Students: Nandie Khahera, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 1.5ba; My only
roommate is a law student whom I was
randomly assigned to. He is a great person
and we have awesome conversations on
sports, politics, and even Obamacare.
Total Rent: $1,622 per month
Rent Per Person: $811 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Distance from the Closest Beach: 5.1
miles to Corona Del Mar
As a medical student, day-to-day convenience can be key. If you
ever need to travel back to your apartment between classes or
study sessions, it is only a 5-7min drive. Restaurants and
grocery stores are around you and you can walk to friends'
apartments who live in Palo Verde. Directly across the street is
UCI's gym, the ARC, and it allows me to walk to the gym in the
mornings and walk back without issue. There are also plenty of
running trails on the streets surrounding Palo Verde. Perhaps my
favorite part is waking up early and watching dogs during their
morning walks as I read some physiology.
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:45
Why Should I not want to live here?
Zip Code: 92617
If you are burning the midnight oil studying and arrive late at
night, you may have to park a bit far from your apartment. This is
because parking spots are not assigned so they are on a firstcome, first-served basis. There will be parking spots available,
but they just may be further away. There is also no elevator in
case you need to carry heavy things up and down from your
apartment. Thankfully the stairs are wide so carrying up couches
and tables is not an issue. Regardless of these inconveniences, I
emphatically renewed my lease to live there next year.
Distance from UCI SOM: 1 miles
Can you bike it?: Definitely
Distance from UCIMC: 18 miles
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Trader Joes and
Albertson's
Restaurants nearby: There are many
restaurants nearby. My favorite are Tender
Greens and In n Out. Taco Mesa is a quick
10min drive away.
Demographic of the complex: Graduate
students. There are families with children and
pets as well.
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5+
Amenities:
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Laundry/dryer in building
Parking is easy to find
BBQ and outdoor areas
Internet, gas, trash included
Pay for electricity
Verano Place
http://sites.uci.edu/veranoplace/
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet, comfortable, convenient, close to school
Students: Nam Thai, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 2ba; I have
one roommate who was randomly
assigned to me by the grad student
housing office. He is an engineering PhD
candidate.
Total Rent: $1,200 per month
Rent Per Person: $760 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Distance from UCI SOM: 2 miles
Can you bike it?: Definitely
Distance from UCIMC: 17 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 5.8
miles to Corona Del Mar
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:30
Zip Code: 92617
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Trader Joes,
Albertsons
Restaurants nearby: Quite a few since we
are close to UTC. I like to go to Le Dip for
great sandwiches at UTC!
Demographic of the complex: Most grad
students and their families
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5+
Why Should I want to live here?
I ultimately chose to apply for campus housing because it was
more convenient to live closer to school. The housing rates are
also pretty competitive as well. There are a lot of classmates
who live nearby either in Verano Place or Palo Verde which is
right next to us. We are located near the ARC, UTC, restaurants,
and grocery stores. You can also save on transportation and
parking since you get free parking on-site. You can use the
Anteater Express or a bike to get to the med school campus
without having to purchase a parking permit for $70/month if you
drive. Overall, a convenient, quiet, safe and affordable option to
consider.
Why Should I not want to live here?
If you are looking to live with other med students, it would be
best if you live off-campus since this would be easier to
coordinate. On-campus housing would most likely place you with
other random grad students who applied for housing as well.
Since regular MD students are not guaranteed on-campus
housing, you would need to apply ASAP after March 1st
because it is competitive to receive an on-campus housing offer.
Don't expect to hear back until June or July. While you wait, it
would be good to have alternatives in case you don't receive an
on-campus housing offer.
Additionally, if you are not drawn to what Irvine has to offer and
want something more exciting and closer to the water, live in
Newport. Living on-campus will remind you that you are in a
college town, surrounded by undergrads.
Verano Place
http://sites.uci.edu/veranoplace/
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Close, Great Value, Comfortable
Students: Chelsea Lam, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 2ba; I live
with 1 other roommate, a PhD student.
Total Rent: $1,520 per month
Rent Per Person: $760 per
person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Distance from UCI SOM: 1.5 miles
Can you bike it?: Definitely
GREAT DEAL, I pay $760 for a huuuuuuuge room. Dealing with
the housing office is really easy because everything is billed to
your Zot account (where you pay your tuition). My roommate
moved out but I don't have to deal with figuring out how to find a
new roommate, covering the cost of her rent, etc. BUT, i really
wish I lived with a med student. Luckily, there are a handful of
them who live in my building which are awesome, but it's not the
same as having a roommate who is a med student.
Distance from UCIMC: 17 miles
Why Should I not want to live here?
Distance from the Closest Beach: 5.8
miles to Corona Del Mar
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:45
If you're afraid of having a random roommate that is a PhD
student.
Zip Code: 92617
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Trader Joes,
Albertsons, Wholesome Choice
Restaurants nearby: Tons of restaurants!
All the ones by UTC.
Demographic of the complex: Other
graduate students, medical students, law
students, PhD's and a good percentage with
family (young children).
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5+
Amenities:
ü Laundry/dryer
ü Water, gas, internet included
ü Electricity is the only bill you pay for
Baypointe Apartments
https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/communities/baypointe
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet, comfortable, lots of dogs, no college students
Students: Alyssa Lo, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 2ba; I live with
my fiancé, Tommy.
Total Rent: $2,400 per month
Rent Per Person: $1,200 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Distance from UCI SOM: 1.7 miles
Can you bike it?: Definitely
Distance from UCIMC: 15 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 4.8
miles to Corona Del Mar
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:50
Zip Code: 92660
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Ralphs, Pavilions,
Trader Joes
Restaurants nearby: Tons of restaurants!
Love going to Fashion Island and UTC for
food.
Demographic of the complex: Young
professionals, retired people and young
families
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5+
Baypointe is a great place to live if you want to escape medical
school and live in a community of young professionals (and
avoid the feel of a campus dorm). It is located right near the
back bay trail which is a great running/biking loop around the
bay. The community hosts some fun events every month and
the housing office is extremely accommodating and prompt. It is
a gated apartment complex that closes the gates every evening
from 6:30 pm to 8 am. We never hear our neighbors and it feels
like we have a town home because we have a one-car garage
which is great for storage! We are right near the 73 freeway
which provides easy access to the medical center.
Why Should I not want to live here?
You do not want to live here if you want to pretend you are in
college again. You also don't want to live here if you are a
heartless person who hates dogs. I am planning on living here
for all four years of medical school because it is such an
awesome place.
Amenities:
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Laundry/dryer IN UNIT
Pool
hot tub
workout facility
gas stove
large bedrooms
fireplace
large balcony
COX internet and cable
air conditioning/heating
prompt fix it requests
one-car garage
Newport North
https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/communities/newport-north
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet, Comfortable, Pleasant
Students: Bima Hasjim, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 3br, 2.5ba; 3 firstyear medical students live in our
apartment and we each have our own
rooms. We found each other through a
google sheet that will be organized by one
of your classmates.
Total Rent: $2,695 per month
Rent Per Person: $920-1100 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Distance from UCI SOM: 1 miles
Can you bike it?: Definitely
Distance from UCIMC: 15.4 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 4.3
miles to Corona Del Mar
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:50
Zip Code: 92660
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Ralphs, Pavilions,
Trader Joes, Albertson's
Restaurants nearby: Plenty of options at
Fashion Island and UTC.
Demographic of the complex: Young
professionals and families.
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5+
Why Should I want to live here?
Newport North is a great place to live. My roommates and I
chose it because of its proximity to campus and its quality.
Amenities and the buildings in the Newport North complex are
new and high quality. Coordination with the housing office was
easy and we got settled in no time. One of the biggest reasons
why we chose Newport North was also its supply of parking
spaces and guest parking. My roommates and I brought our cars
with us and finding parking inside the complex is safe, easy, and
always plentiful if friends and family visit.
Why Should I not want to live here?
You should not live in Newport North if you are looking to party
or make a lot of loud noise. The majority of people who live in
the complex are young families with very young children who
may have early bed times. Also, I haven't experienced this
myself because our lease hasn't ended yet, but rumor has it that
Newport North is notorious for dipping into your security deposit
at the end of the year for very minute details.
Villa Siena
https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/communities/villa-siena
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet, relaxing and resort-like feel
Students: Pejman Majd, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 2ba, I live with 1
other UCISOM med student
Total Rent: $2,180 per month
Rent Per Person: $1,090 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Distance from UCI SOM: 2.8 miles
Can you bike it?: Yes
Distance from UCIMC: 12 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 6 miles
to Corona Del Mar
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:45
Zip Code: 92612
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Trader Joes,
Albertsons
Restaurants nearby: Tons of restaurants!
(See restaurants section)
Demographic of the complex: Young
professionals, retired people and young
families
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 5-10
Villa Siena is a great place to live if you want to escape campus
and live in a community of young professionals. They don’t allow
co-signers so this pretty much disqualifies most of the
undergraduate students from living here so my building is fairly
quiet. Like a few other properties on here, the community is
managed by The Irvine Company and they host fun events every
month. The housing office is incredibly helpful and whenever I
put in a repair request online, they either come the day of or the
following day. It is a gated complex with a security guard, so you
always feel safe. Parking is a breeze (we each have our own
spots right next to the elevator in an underground parking garage
and there is plenty of guest parking. We rarely hear our
neighbors and the complex is right off of the 405 jamboree exit
so that gives you easy access to the medical center. If you leave
your house 15 minutes before lecture, you will arrive on time. I
highly recommend this apartment complex!
Why Should I not want to live here?
If you want to party every night and be loud. This is a fairly quiet
apartment complex and that will not go well with your neighbors.
Otherwise, I really have no complaints!
Amenities:
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Laundry/dryer IN UNIT
Pool/hot tub
Workout facility
Gas stove
Large bedrooms/balcony
COX internet and cable
Central AC/heating
Prompt maintenance requests
Two-car underground garage
One Nautical Mile
http://www.newportbeachrealestate.com/one-nautical-mile.php
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Fun, easy, convenient
Students: Alex Anshus, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 4br, 2.5ba; I live
with 3 other MS1s.
Total Rent: $3,800 per month
Rent Per Person: $950 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Can you bike it?: Yes, but difficult.
I chose this complex because of the proximity to the beach, the
peninsula, and the many beach towns up and down PCH. The
Newport/Costa Mesa area is very vibrant and there is always
something fun to do here. It's easy to stay active with the many
hiking/biking trails up and down the coast, and the beach is a
great place to relax after a long week. Plus we're only 15
minutes away from campus, so getting to school is never an
issue. I’ll be living here again next year.
Distance from UCIMC: 13.9 miles
Why Should I not want to live here?
Distance from the Closest Beach: 1.2 mile
to Newport Beach
Someone who feels that they need to attend every lecture or be
at school every day may want to live closer to campus.
Distance from UCI SOM: 7 miles
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:35
Zip Code: 92663
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: 6
Restaurants nearby: Too many to count.
Pho Lantern Cafe, Super Pollo, Chronic
Tacos
Demographic of the complex: A mix of
young professionals and a few families with
young kids.
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 3-5
Living with fellow medical students has been a
huge help. If you're stuck on something or aren't
sure where to go next, having roommates to
help you out is great. Also- if you forget about
some mandatory event, usually your roommates
will remind you (or wake you up) before it's too
late. Living where you find yourself most
comfortable is also a good idea. Since most
classes aren't mandatory, you can live a little
further away from campus if you think you'll be
happier there.
Alex Anshus,Classof2019
Quail Hill Apartments
https://www.irvinecompanyapartments.com/communities/quail-hill
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Comfortable, but expensive
Students: John Jiao, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 1br, 1ba, 1 study;
I live with my girlfriend and two very
unintelligent dogs.
Total Rent: $1,850 per month
Rent Per Person: $925 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Distance from UCI SOM: 6.5 miles
Can you bike it?: No
Distance from UCIMC: 16 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 9.2
miles to Laguna Beach
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:30
Zip Code: 92603
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Albertsons
Restaurants nearby: 10+ nearby. I like
Nalu's, a Hawaiian-style restaurant.
Demographic of the complex: A wide
variety of households -- families, young
couples, etc. No undergrads live near me,
and I don't know of any med students here
either.
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 0
Why Should I want to live here?
For some people, being constantly surrounded by medical
students, medical school, etc can be overwhelming. Living here
has been a great respite from everything, and it's good to
remember the outside world when you're studying most of your
waking hours! There's also a shopping center a few minutes
walk down the road that has everything you could want: a large
grocery store, about a dozen restaurants spanning every food
style, Chase/BoA banks, a mens hair salon, even a mail office
and massage parlor (obviously very expensive). The entire
neighborhood is also very quiet. I'm only one highway stop away
from campus; it takes me about 15-25 minutes depending on
traffic.
Why Should I not want to live here?
This housing complex is difficult for me to recommend solely
because of the price. When utilities are included it's about 1050
a month for both of us. Additionally, we got a unit on the 3rd floor
but because the community is composed of about a hundred
separate buildings, there are no elevators in any of them. That
has made taking our dogs out a few times a day a real hassle. If
you want to always be around where med students are hanging
out, have easy access to on-campus studying (if you prefer not
to study at home--I do), etc, then I wouldn't recommend this
place. We are going to be moving to a place next year that is on
the ground floor and has hardwood floors!
Woodbridge Apartments
http://www.sheaapartments.com/apartments/woodbridge/
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet and relaxing
Students: Katrina Lee, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 3br, 2ba; I live
with 2 medical students in my class, we
each have our own rooms. We all found
each other through the housing sheet on
the class Facebook page.
Total Rent: $2,400 per month
Rent Per Person: $715-950 per person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Distance from UCI SOM: 4.5 miles
Why Should I want to live here?
Can you bike it?: Yes, but difficult.
My roommates and I loved this location because of its location
and pricing. Although we are about 12 minutes from campus, we
are conveniently surrounded by many restaurants and grocery
stores; for us it is nice to have a place to retreat away to from the
busy campus area. Parking is never an issue here and
coordination with our landlord is easy! Our neighborhood is quiet,
making it a great place to study or relax.
Distance from UCIMC: 14 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 11 miles
to Crystal Cove
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:40
Zip Code: 92614
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Target, Albertsons,
Sprouts, Ralphs, 99 Ranch, H-Mart
Why Should I not want to live here?
We do not live as close to campus as most other medical
students do. So if distance is a determining factor for you, the
Woodbridge community may not be the best area for you.
Restaurants nearby: 10+, California Fish
Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings
Demographic of the complex: Families
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 1-2
Amenities:
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
Laundry/dryer
Refrigerator
Pool
Hot tub
Neighborhood park
Balboa Island
http://www.zillow.com/balboa-island-newport-beach-ca/apartments/
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Quiet, relaxing, comfortable, escape
Students: Luke Yu, Class of 2019
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 3br, 1ba; I
have 2 other roommates - one MS1,
one MS2. We each have our own
room. We befriended each other the
year before medical school started.
Total Rent: $1,800 per month
Rent Per Person: $550-700 per person/month
Lease Length: September-June
Distance from UCI SOM: 4.5 miles
Can you bike it?: Yes, but difficult
Why Should I want to live here?
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 7:30
This area is nice and affordable because we found a good
deal through our friend. It's very quiet and safe in this neck of
the woods and it's nice to be by the water. We can take the
ferry to the other side which leads to the beach and many
restaurants. It's a bigger space with a big kitchen and living
room space which is nice.
Zip Code: 92662
Why Should I not want to live here?
Pet Friendly: Yes
It is a bit of a drive away from school. It takes about ~1520 minutes with normal traffic so you kind've have to plan
your day without being able to go home right after
classes. I wish the gym was closer but that's really the
only downside.
Distance from UCIMC: 13 miles
Distance from the Closest Beach: 0.6 miles
to Balboa Pier
Grocery Stores nearby: Pavilions, Ralphs, ~2
miles radius
Restaurants nearby: There are a few
restaurants on the island. I like going to this
Chinese restaurant for take out when I'm too
lazy too cook and need something fast.
Demographic of the complex: Many families
and elderly people.
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 0
Amenities:
ü Laundry/dryer
ü Water
ü Other utilities we must set up
ourselves
Long Beach/Belmont Shores
http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Belmont-Shore-Long-BeachCA/condo,apartment_duplex_type/113713_rid/any_days/33.764619,-118.13132,33.751846,-118.14604_rect/15_zm/
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Vibrant area, great alternative to Irvine for 3rd and 4th year
Students: Borna Dabiri, Class of 2016
Student Contact Info: [email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 1ba; I live
with my wife.
Total Rent: $1.500 per month
Rent Per Person: $750 per
person/month
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Distance from UCI SOM: 21 miles
Can you bike it?: No
If you're someone who doesn't want to live in Irvine and want to
have a different vibe. It has probably the best selection of
restaurants and bars all concentrated in one area along 2nd
street that are easily within walking distance. It also provides a
different feel that the typical college housing/crowds.
Distance from UCIMC: 16 miles
Why Should I not want to live here?
Distance from Long Beach VA: 1.4 miles
It is certainly far for 1st and 2nd years to live here, however, one
should certainly consider it for 3rd and 4th years.
Distance from the Closest Beach: <0.5
miles to Belmont Beach
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 6:45
Zip Code: 90814
Pet Friendly: Yes
Grocery Stores nearby: Ralphs, Vons,
Pavillions
Restaurants nearby: Belmont Shores has
many restaurants along 2nd street area.
Favorite = Nick's on 2nd.
Demographic of the complex: Undergrads
and young professionals
About how many UCI med students live
within a mile of you?: 3-5
Amenities:
ü
Laundry/dryer
House in Brea, California
http://www.zillow.com/brea-ca/
2-3 word description of the vibe of living situation: Suburban escape
Students: Katy Lunny, Class of
2019
Student Contact Info:
[email protected]
Living Arrangements: 2br, 1ba; I
live with my boyfriend, who
commutes to LA for work.
Total Rent: $2,050 per month
Rent Per Person: $1,025 per person/month
Distance from UCI SOM: 25 miles
Can you bike it?: No
Lease Length: 1 year
Why Should I want to live here?
Pet Friendly: Yes
Our neighborhood (and others in North Orange County) is
perfect for someone who needs to or wants to be between
Irvine and LA (significant other, family, etc.). Our
neighborhood is very safe, and we have a backyard, which is
perfect for our dog. We are walking distance from downtown
Brea, which is a fun area with restaurants, bars, and a movie
theater. We are also close to downtown Fullerton, another
fun area which has a college-town feel (close to CSUF). It
may be far from Irvine, but it's a great way to get separation
from school and come home to something a bit different.
Grocery Stores nearby: Ralphs, Albertsons,
Trader Joes
Why Should I not want to live here?
Distance from UCIMC: 10 miles
Distance from the Beach: 28 miles to Belmont
Pier
Time you leave for 8:00am class: 6:45 am
Zip Code: 92821
Restaurants nearby: A lot! We are near
downtown Brea, which has a number of
restaurants and bars. We love Taps Fish
House/Brewery and Yard House.
Demographic of the complex: Families
Mine is a unique living situation, and first years would most
likely not want to live here because of the distance from
school. It typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to
school for an 8am or 9am class, and leaving any time after
3:30pm to come home takes about the same amount of time.
About how many UCI med students live within
a mile of you?: 0
Amenities:
ü Laundry/dryer IN UNIT
ü Backyard
ü One-car garage
ü Plenty of street parking
Housing FAQs
Q: When do on-campus housing offers for VDC, Verano Place, Palo Verde, and Campus Village
typically begin to go out to regular MD students who are on the housing waitlist?
A: Usually on-campus housing is not offered a spot until mid-July. Contacting the housing office at your
target community periodically (though not so much as to be annoying, it's a fine line) can be helpful. It
is recommended to have a temporary place to live in case it takes that long to get off the waitlist.
Respond promptly to the emails and be specific in your communications with the housing office. For
those that have leases that start a few weeks after school starts, you may be able to request an earlier
move-in date through the housing office. Be willing to move in during July and try to be as specific if
possible!
Q: To the techy people out there, what Internet speed do 3 MS1 roommates need?
A: 10 Mbps would be liveable, +25 Mbps would be good, 100 Mbps would be more than enough.
ProTips
SETTING UP ELECTRICITY: gas and electric companies have special rates for low income
households (like students accumulating massive amounts of debt) through the CARE program. All
you have to do is fill out your information online and state your household income, and you save 2030% your bills if you qualify.
Here are the links I used:
• SoCal Gas
• CARE program
OUT OF STATE STUDENTS BECOMING CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
You may have heard that UCI allows you to become a resident and pay in-state tuition after the first
year. This is true, but there are some steps that you need to take and document throughout the year
to build a strong petition for residency reclassification. The application and to-do list may be found on
the registrar's website. Try to knock out as many items as you can before school starts and make
sure you keep those things in mind as the year progresses. You want everything done as early as
possible because it strengthens your case, so definitely don't let months go by. Examples would be
registering to vote and voting in California, registering your car here, getting a California driver’s
license etc.
Section 4:
Student
Life
Contributing
Authors
Megan Bernstein
Luke Yu
Olivia Kaminsky
Nam Thai
Elisa Zhang
Orli Florsheim
Contributing
Authors
Katrina Lee
William Minteer
Monica Lee
Lauren Shreve
Soe Thein
Michael Butler
Are you wondering about…
ü Intramural Sports
ü Student Groups & Organizations
ü Free Clinics at UCISOM
ü UCISOM Traditions
ü LGBTQIA Resources
You’ve come to the right place!
WARNING: Anteaters are as ferocious as they are obscure.
Orientation
Wake up in the morning feelin’ like….an official medical student.
Contributors: Luke Yu, Olivia Kaminsky, Nam Thai
Welcome to Orientation, a jam-packed, 3-days for your official initiation to becoming a true part of the
UCI School of Medicine. In just a few days you will:
•
Interact with new peers that will soon become
family.
•
Meet with and listen to welcome statements by
the deans and administration in their respective
fields.
•
Receive your iPads which will accompany you on
a daily basis through our academic careers.
•
Find your Academic Society groups along with
your Academic Society Leader. These groups will
quickly become your support system, led by a
physician in the UCI health care system that will
take you under their wings to help you navigate
through the medical journey.
•
Tour the medical center where you soon discover
and nurture your specific passions in medicine
•
Get the chance to express your creativity through
medical skits – one of the most memorable events
of the entire week! The skits may have been
awkward at first, since it was really the first time during
orientation that we got to meet and interact with our
future classmates. However, it ended being so fun to
work together and then perform the skits in front of
everyone.
Many upperclassmen have
told me to take advantage of
social events during my first
year since time will be very
limited as we approach 2nd
and 3rd year. It is great to take
breaks and go bond with your
classmates. The opportunities
to do this later will only
diminish.
EvaMartinez,Classof2019
Meet your classmates because
you'll find that there are so many
awesome people in the class. It's
nice to have a support system to
help you with the stress and the fun
of being in medical school.
LukeYu,Classof2019
You will quickly realize the warmth and nurturing
community here at UCI. The upper classmen,
administration and faculty at UCI are very friendly,
accessible, and available—something that will
continue all throughout your years as a medical
student. Whether it be answering questions about the
lifestyle of a medical student or providing opportunities
to shadow, it truly felt like the medical school journey
would be a team effort.
The days will feel incredibly busy, yet in the most
exciting way. The MS2 students will organized daily
evening social mixers at some of the local favorites—
a perfect time to get to know our classmates in a
more casual environment! And as a culmination of all
of these events? The White Coat Ceremony. You will
be photographed in the white coat you so longingly
wished to hold on to when you were fitted into it
during your interview days. However, this time, they
will be personally embroidered, a symbol of your
readiness to begin the path as a medical student.
There will be a few hours to enjoy our families and
friends prior to the official ceremony. The time before
White Coat are a bit hectic as you may try to
coordinate with travelling family for the ceremony.
Plan early for any family activities before the actual
ceremony, most of us opted for a late lunch/early
dinner just to be safe.
Orientation is such an exciting time! Even if you don’t
remember everyone’s names, meet as many people
as you can. Orientation is truly an unforgettable
experience.
Being in a new state, city, and school can be difficult. Away from your usual support system, starting
from zero, negative numbers in debt, and surrounded by strangers can be an uneasy transition. Fear
not! We have all been outsiders to the anteater family before. Below are a few tricks of the trade from
various students of the UCI SOM community.
Be yourself. Don't let anyone take who
you are away from you. Medical school
can be brutal but if you don't fit the mold,
you can find your place and achieve
amazing things, whether that means
studying as hard as you can or spending
your time on efforts outside medical
school that are deeply meaningful to you.
KyleBarbour,Classof2018
Finding balance is important. I
was told to not worry too much
about exams and focus more on
learning as much as I can while
having fun and maintaining a
social life.
KatyLunny,Classof2019
Balance self-care and academic
goals.
ShellaRaja,Classof2019
I think the best advice I got was to
have fun and not stress too much
about school. It's all about finding a
balance and continuing to do things
outside of med school that you love.
AlexAnshus,Classof2019
-
Study hard and sleep.
DavidAvila,Classof2019
First year is as fun and/or as stressful
as you make it. You have more free time
than one would expect and it us up to
you to fill it up with things that make
you happy. Also, comparing yourself to
others is not required as there are many
different paths to the same specialties.
We are all examples of this as we enter
medical school: no two applicants are
exactly alike, and yet we are all part of
the same class.
NandieKhahera,Classof2019
Don't take things so seriously.
This is a good time to explore and
try new things.
DhrubaBanerjee,Classof2019
-
First year is all about learning how to
learn best. Work hard but also remember
to take time for your own wellbeing. Set
aside time every day to do something that
you love!
KatrinaLee,Classof2019
-
Don't forget to do the things that make
you, you! If you like yoga, take a new
class. Want to stay active in your global
health interests? Find a summer
ultrasound trip! Need to organize all your
notes by color? YOU DO YOU. Being a
medical student isn’t about being
someone new, its about doing it in a way
that keeps you excited every day!
Megan Bernstein, Class of 2019
Don't take everything so seriously!
MonicaLee,Classof2019
Free Clinic Volunteer Opportunities at UCISOM
Contributors: Elisa Zhang, Orli Florsheim, Megan Bernstein, Katrina Lee, William Minteer, Monica Lee
It can be very easy to forget that many parts of Orange County are not as prosperous as Irvine. Santa Ana, just
15 minutes away from campus, has the 5th –highest rate of uninsured individuals in the US (21.2%) according to
the 2011 American Community Survey. Furthermore, 23.5% live below the poverty line and 77.1% have
less than a high school education. The nearby cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Westminster and Orange
have high rates of uninsured individuals (17-20%), in contrast with Irvine and Newport Beach (6-9%).
Because of this immense need, UCI SOM students lead and volunteer at four amazing free clinics that serve
uninsured patients in the aforementioned cities, as well as Mexico. Most of these free clinics run weekly (every
Saturday), so we can always, ALWAYS use more medical student volunteers to see patients (especially on
Saturdays before exams).
Pro Tip: Be sure to attend the first Social Medicine Elective lecture held in August, where each of the free
clinics will give a presentation about their work.
Besides helping out our less fortunate neighbors, why else should you volunteer?
•
Reinforce what you’re learning in class. Nothing helps you remember the clinical presentation of a
disease or the complications arising from it than treating a real, breathing, scared patient with the disease.
Many fellow classmates and I never regret spending a morning at clinic because we always feel like we
learn some high-yield clinical pearls. It is uncanny (but very reassuring and exciting) that every time you
volunteer, you will be able to connect something you see in clinic to something you learned about in
your basic science lectures.
•
Learn the practical aspects of treating or diagnosing a disease. Sure, in physiology class you
memorized that type 2 diabetes is defined by HbA1c > 6.5%. But what kind of doctor-y things are you
actually supposed to do when a patient comes to you for diabetes follow-up?
•
One-on-one mentorship from physicians helping you through the entire patient encounter. What
better way is there to prepare for the wards as an MS3, where this kind of individualized mentorship will
be rare? Becoming comfortable and competent in the clinic early on will very likely boost the
evaluations you receive as a clinical student and sharpen your resume when applying to residency.
•
Practice clinical skills on real patients, rather than on standardized patients (i.e. actors). Clinical
Foundations is an essential part of our curriculum, but taking the history, performing a physical exam,
and generating a differential diagnosis is much harder (and more interesting!) when you get the quirks
and curveballs that come with real patients.
•
To recharge and remember why you are in medical
school. There are a million reasons why medical school
can be stressful; the barrage of tests that first year
throws at you is a common one. It can be very easy to
become overly stressed by these tests and lose sight of
why we decided to become a doctor. Seeing patients in
the clinic is a great way to regain perspective on the big
picture of medical training and remember why most of
us decided to become doctors in the first place—to help
people.
Onaverage,MS1swho
volunteeratfreeclinics
commitabout5hours
permonth.
Interclinic Counsel
Although all four free clinics operate independently of each other, the Interclinic Council was established this
last year (2015) as a forum to better address common issues faced by all these clinics in serving the underserved
population in Orange County and Valle Redondo, Mexico. The main goal of this council is to increase
communication between clinics and better share resources (such as health education programs, social service
resources, and pamphlets) that all our patients can benefit from and strategies for problems commonly
encountered in clinic. One to two representatives from each clinic meet monthly in this council. Please contact
Priya Patel ([email protected]) for more information.
Website: http://interclinicuci.weebly.com/
Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP)
In February 2016, a group of UCI medical students
succeeded in opening not only the first needle
exchange in Orange County, but also the first in the
country to be run by medical students. It provides
clean needles, dirty needle disposal, HIV and Hep
C screening, referrals to health, housing, and
treatment services, and other harm reduction and
safer-sex supplies and information. This unique
volunteer experience at UCI immerses medical
students in harm reduction training, which includes
learning how to administer naloxone, and enables
volunteers to work alongside incredible community
members and organizations that directly save lives
on a daily basis.
In order to volunteer OCNEP, you will attend one of our training sessions on campus, and shadow us out in the
community. We are completely staffed by volunteers, and we are counting on medical student volunteers to
help us continue to thrive as an organization offering indispensible services to the community. We look forward
to meeting you!
Date/Hours: Every Saturday 12pm-3pm, Santa Ana Civic Center
Unique to this clinic:
ü We are the first needle exchange in Orange County and the first one in the country to be operated and
staffed by medical students.
ü We work alongside other established harm-reduction agencies in Orange County and volunteers who
live in the community.
ü We write and submit our own grants to various national organizations.
ü We have ongoing research opportunities pertaining to harm reduction and addiction.
Number of MS1s on Clinic Board: 5
Current board positions: Steering Committee, finance, volunteer coordinator, operations
Affiliation/funding/oversight: We are funded through grants and generous donors.
Current Medical Student Chair(s): Orli Florsheim ([email protected]), Dhruba Banerjee ([email protected]),
Nathan Birnbaum ([email protected]), Kelley Butler ([email protected]), Marissa Lovio ([email protected])
Medical Director: None!
Website: www.ocnep.org
Crescent Clinic
CrescentClinicfirstopeneditsdoorsinApril2014afteritsfounder,TipuKhan,MDandseveralUCI
medicalstudentsandundergraduatesspentseveralyearsconductingahealthneedsassessmentofthe
community.CrescentClinichadbeenpreviouslyfunctioningasamobilehealthclinicthattravelled
aroundOrangeCountyunderthenameofShifaClinic.SouthGardenGrovewasidentifiedasthemost
underservedpopulationintheareawithoutafreeclinic.Medicalstudentsandalargeundergraduate
basenowstaffthecliniceveryweek,whilesuppliesandadedicatedclinicspaceissponsoredbythe
IslamicCircleofNorthAmerica.ThemostuniqueaspectoftheCrescentclinicisthewideethnicpatient
diversity(SouthAsian,Hispanic,MiddleEastern,Filipino,African-American,Caucasian)Thiscanproveto
beaninvaluableexperienceasyougainexposuretoreligiouscustomsandculturalpreferencesthatyou
mayhaveneverexperiencedbefore.MostpatientsherespeakEnglish,butanoccasionalSpanish,Farsi,
andUrdutranslatorisnecessary.
Location: 2180 W. Crescent Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801
Date/Hours: Every Saturday 9am-2pm
Unique to this clinic:
ü The only free clinic at UCI that uses an electronic medical record (EMR); med students here have the
opportunity to write up an entire electronic SOAP note for each patient, with the assistance of an
undergraduate scribe.
ü Many preceptors and some of the clinical students here are medical graduates from foreign countries—a
unique opportunity to interact with and learn from those who received their medical training from other
countries.
Number of MS1s on Clinic Board: 8
Current board positions: Clinic Chair, EMR/Scribe coordinators, Clinic/Volunteers coordinator,
Undergraduate Mentorship/Community Outreach coordinator, Health Education/Social Services coordinator
Affiliation/funding/oversight: Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
Current Medical Student Chair(s): Ramin Rajaii ([email protected])
Medical Director: Tipu Khan, MD
Website: www.crescentclinicoc.org
Flying Samaritans
Flying Samaritans is an organization that works to provide medical care to underserved areas of Baja California,
Mexico. The UCI School of Medicine chapter runs a clinic in El Niño, just outside of Tijuana. Once a month,
our volunteer medical students, physicians, and undergraduates travel to Mexico to provide free consultations,
ultrasound, and pharmacy services to the people of El Niño. Our medical student volunteers take vitals and
patient histories, present to the volunteer physician, and fill prescriptions. We are also working to open a dental
clinic for our patients.
Location: 15 minutes southeast of Otay Mesa
Date/Hours: First Sat. of each month. Carpools leave UCI main campus at 6:15am, get back at 5pm-7pm.
Unique to this clinic:
ü The only free clinic at UCI that operates in a rural and international setting (all patients speak Spanish),
thus this is a great opportunity for those interested in international work or practicing medical Spanish.
ü Car rides getting to get to know your fellow medical students and volunteers
ü Need to bring your passport to volunteer
ü Delicious, hot churros on the way back.
ü Its annual fundraiser is the annual Kaiser Permanente So-Cal Half-Marathon and 5K race held in
Irvine—UCI SOM students have dominated this race in the past!
Number of MS1s on Clinic Board: 8
Current board positions: Presidents, trip coordinators, pharmacy coordinator, media director, treasurer,
physician coordinator, patient education/clinic coordinator, women’s health/ultrasound coordinator, research
coordinator
Affiliation/funding/oversight: Flying Samaritans
Current Medical Student Chair(s): Ramin Rajaii ([email protected]) and Kathryn Barron ([email protected])
Website: flyingsamsucisom.com
An Lành Free Clinic
An Lành Free Clinic first opened its doors at Methodist Church on 12741 Main Street in Garden Grove in
December 2014. Since then, we have served over 200 patients at our weekly Saturday clinic days. As a satellite
of Lestonnac Free Clinic, we strive to provide healthcare at a minimal to no cost to all uninsured individuals
within Orange County and Southern California, while expanding and building upon the resources available to
foster a healthy and sound communities. Currently, we provide primary care, preventive services, referrals, and
health education to uninsured adults.
"An lành" means peace or healing in Vietnamese. Our clinic is unique because it has been a collaborative effort
between UCI medical and undergraduate students since inception. Both medical and undergraduate students
hold positions on the executive board and play vital roles in the clinic’s operations. The majority of the patients
that we serve come from either Latino or Vietnamese backgrounds. We are always looking for physicians,
medical students, and other health professional students to volunteer and contribute to our clinic. We hope that
you will join in our efforts to provide quality healthcare to Orange County’s underserved populations.
Location: 12741 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Date/Hours: Every Saturday 8am-1pm, except long weekends.
Unique to this clinic:
ü The opportunity to see patients with osteopathic medical students from Western University, who also
volunteer at this clinic. (hint: they know a lot more physical exam and osteopathic manipulation than we
do!)
ü Opportunity to shape the direction of this new clinic
ü Many preceptors are Kaiser Permanente doctors
Current board positions: Medical student liason, community outreach, patient navigation/ health advocacy,
undergraduate professional development, patient education, physician recruitment, research and grant
opportunities
Possible upcoming plans: implementing a patient education program
Affiliation/funding/oversight: Lestonnac Free Clinic
Number of MS1s on Clinic Board: 7
Current Medical Student Chair(s): Allen Yu ([email protected]), Nam Thai ([email protected]), Rachel Sunico,
([email protected]), Mariana Gomez ([email protected]), Katrina Lee ([email protected]), Robert Bucayu
([email protected]), Tuan Ngo ([email protected])
Medical Directors: Baotran Vo, MD (UCI faculty member), Karina Melgar, MD (Kaiser Permanente
Community Medicine Fellow)
Website: clubs.uci.edu/freeclinic/
UCI Outreach Clinic
The UCI Outreach Clinic is the longest-standing free student clinic at UCI. We are committed to delivering high
quality medical care to individuals living in the community who have limited access to health care and
insurance. Not only do we provide primary care services to our patients, we also make low-cost referrals and
teach wellness classes on a regular basis.
As volunteers at UCIOC, first year medical students work with preceptors and older students to take patient
histories and present cases. Volunteering with us allows you to practice patient interviewing skills and learn
about treatment for chronic and acute illness while touching the lives of our community members whose
healthcare would otherwise fall through the cracks. In order to learn more about us, please attend the first Social
Medicine Elective after classes start and visit us at ucioutreachclinics.org. We see patients every Saturday
morning at the Lestonnac Free Clinic. We look forward to working with you!
Location: Lestonnac Free Clinic, 1215 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA. 92866
Date/Hours: Every Saturday, 8am-12:30pm, except major holidays and long weekends
Unique to this clinic:
ü The only clinic that is officially affiliated with UCI, so all preceptors and medical directors are UCI
family medicine faculty or residents.
ü MS1s and MS2s are paired with MS3s and MS4s throughout the patient visit.
ü The annual UCIOC Fall Benefit is a widely attended social event every year that raises funds for the
clinic through a silent auction for goodies that include Kaplan test-prep discounts, wine, and dinners
with professors.
Number of MS1s on Clinic Board: 10
Current board positions: Labs/dispensary, finance, patient education, diabetes class, community relations,
research, volunteer/elective coordinator, web/publicity
Affiliation/funding/oversight: UCI School of Medicine, Lestonnac Free Clinic
Current Medical Student Chair(s): Orli Florsheim, MS1 ([email protected]); Sunggoan Ji, MSTP
Medical directors: Emily Dow, MD (UCI faculty members)
Website: www.ucioutreachclinics.org
Student Involvement and Activities
Interest groups
The various medical interest groups below give students
exposure to the respective fields through lectures,
workshops, mentorship, and interactions with physicians.
Students have an opportunity to receive career advice and
learn more about the patient populations, procedures,
lifestyle, and hot topics in each field.
Interest Group
Academic Medicine
Interest Group
Anesthesiology
Interest Group
Dermatology
Interest Group
Emergency
Medicine Interest
Group
Family Medicine
Interest Group
On average, UCI MS1s spend
about 22.17 hours/month on
extracurricular activities!
Description
AMIG is a venue for medical students to learn more
about the field of academic medicine, to meet and
learn from physicians involved in research, and to
stay up-to-date with progress in the medical
research community. We hope to help students
develop an understanding of what it means to be an
academic physician and to facilitate their
involvement in research going on at UCI.
The Anesthesiology Interest Group (AIG) is a
medical student run organization which hosts
events, lectures and and activities with the goal
promote interest in the field of anesthesiology and
perioperative medicine.
Contact
Will Minteer
[email protected]
Winston Vuong
[email protected]
Derek Wu
[email protected]
Jeanette Chin
[email protected]
Dermatology Interest Group is an organization
composed of UC Irvine medical students who are
interested in pursuing careers in dermatology. Our
aim is to cultivate interest in the exciting field of
dermatology. Our goal is to provide a support group,
career advice and guidance, research opportunities
and conduct community outreach projects in areas
pertaining to dermatology.
Andrew Nguyen
[email protected]
The UCI Emergency Medicine Interest Group is one
of the largest interest groups at UCI SOM. Our
goals include generating interest in the field, holding
educational workshops and physician panels,
providing resources on residency programs in EM,
providing career advice and guidance and
conducting community outreach projects in injury
prevention, public safety, and first aid.
Lisa Remington
[email protected]
FMIG is committed to providing the student body
with various events that highlight the rewards of
practicing family medicine. It also aims to answer
questions and provide resources to those interested
in pursuing family medicine.
Jessica Membreno
[email protected]
Catherine Nguyen
[email protected]
Jessa Baker
[email protected]
IMIG is devoted to providing students with exposure
to the wide range of fields and career paths
encompassed within Internal Medicine, and
cultivating/developing our passion for
pathophysiology in all students regardless of fubture
career interest.
Internal Medicine
Interest Group
Shaun Disney
[email protected]
Michael Butler
[email protected]
Will Minteer
[email protected]
Funfact:Stethoscopes:InternalMedicine
InterestGroupcreatesabulkorderforyou
atthebeginningoftheyeartosavelotsof
moneyonthisessentialinstrument.You
canalsocustomizeyourstethoscopewith
styles,colors,andnameengraving!
Additionalbulkordersincludeclipboards,
penlights,etc.
Interventional
Radiology Interest
Group
Medicine and Public
Health Interest
Group
OBGYN Interest
Group
Raise awareness of the specialty of IR
Promote increased awareness of public health
issues, provide exposure to work being done in
public health by UC Irvine faculty and give students
the opportunity to learn by initiating, developing and
participating in their own public health projects.
Provide discussions and seminars dedicated to
increasing awareness of public health issues and,
inspire and motivate students from all health care
fields to become more aware of public health issues
and their complexities.
OB/GYN interest group (OGIG) organizes the
UTEACH elective in the fall and provides workshops
and events for medical students to learn more about
the field of OB/GYN and women's health.
Wilfred Manzani
[email protected]
Victor Cisneros
[email protected]
Jesse Gomez
[email protected]
Alyssa Lo
[email protected]
Brianna Williams
[email protected]
Soe Thein
[email protected]
Pathology Interest
Group
Pediatric Interest
Group
Educate students about the specialty of Pathology
The Pediatric Interest Group (PIG) holds activities
and talks from pediatricians for those who are
interested in pursuing pediatric medicine.
Follow PIG on twitter at @UCISOMPIG
Wilfred Manzano
[email protected]
[email protected]
Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
Interest Group
Provide information and activities to students
interested in the specialty of PM&R
Psychiatry Interest
Group
The psychiatry interest group holds activities to help
medical students learn about the field of psychiatry
and network with residents and attendings at UCI
and surrounding schools. We also provide a great
opportunity to get to know classmates in other years
who plan to pursue psychiatry.
Michelle Heare
[email protected]
Radiology Interest
Group
Radiology Interest Group exists to generate and
cultivate interest in the field of Radiology, while also
helping those applying to Radiology residencies.
Michael Nguyentat
[email protected]
The goal of SIMIG is to help students gain a better
understanding of how simulation can be used in
medical curriculum to enhance learning and
knowledge retention. Whether you are learning to
respond to a health emergency or treating an
infection, medical simulation can be integrated into
many aspects of medical education and is relevant
to a wide array of specialties, from Emergency
Medicine to Pediatrics and Surgery!
The Surgery Interest Group at the University of
California, Irvine was formed to provide a venue for
students interested in the field of surgery to be
exposed to both the career and lifestyle of the
surgical profession. The Surgery Interest Group is
open and supportive to students interested in all
surgical specialties and not just to those interested
in General Surgery.
Ultrasound Interest Group (USIG) encourages UCI
SOM students to develop and refine essential
ultrasound skills for their future medical careers.
USIG is involved in ultrasound education through
outreach activities, an additional ultrasound elective
course to supplement the formal curriculum, and a
large ultrasound conference (Ultrafest) that brings
medical students together from various medical
schools to learn ultrasound!
Beatrice Sun
[email protected]
Simulation Medicine
Interest Group
Surgery Interest
Group
Ultrasound Interest
Group
Wilderness
Medicine Interest
Group
Candace Borders
[email protected]
Garwin Chin
[email protected]
Jessica Gandy
[email protected]
Jamie Miller
[email protected]
Funfact:UCIisknownfarandwideforourinnovative
Ultrasoundcurriculum!Everyyear,USIGhostsUltrafest,aone
ofakindconferencewherestudentsfromalloverthestate
cometoourcampustolearnUltrasoundfromUCIstudents!
Our events teach students how to handle medical
cases when resources are limited in the wilderness.
The events focus on hands-on, simulation-based
training that explore a variety of potential wilderness
medical scenarios.
Sean Denny
[email protected]
Student Organizations
There are many student organizations that students can get involved in at UCI!
The great variety offers something for everyone, or you can event start your own student group!
Organization
Description
AAMC-OSR
Represent UCI to other medical schools across the Rashi Singh
country; learn about medical education models
[email protected]
across the nation; make sure all UCI students are
aware of the resources the AAMC has to offer to
medical students
American Medical
Association –
Medical Student
Section (AMAMSS)
Help advance issues of public wellness, community Axana Rodriguez-Torres
service, ethics, and health policy through writing
[email protected]
resolutions and representing UCI-SOM at national
meetings
William Minteer
[email protected]
American Medical
Women’s
Association
Advance women in medicine and improve women's Megan Bernstein
health by providing and developing leadership,
[email protected]
advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and
strategic alliances.
Alyssa Lo
[email protected]
Asian Pacific
American Medical
Student
Association
Chapter
(APAMSA)
Camp Cardiac
and Cap Neuro
Doctors 4
Diversity
Contact Information
Offer opportunities to attend local and national
conferences, work with UCI SOM's diversity
coalition, mentor the undergrad APAMSA chapter,
mentor in the community, and work with community
organizations/health fairs
Robi Bucayu
[email protected]
Our group sets up a week long summer camp for
high school students to stir interest in cardiology,
neurology, psychiatry, and medicine as a whole.
Jonathan Lee
([email protected])
Nam Thai
[email protected]
Kevin Roy
([email protected])
Teach the Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, and
Central Nervous Systems and promote higher
education to underserved youth in Kindergarten5th grade; use portable ultrasounds to show 4th
and 5th graders the internal anatomy of the organ
systems
Tara Zand
[email protected]
Pejman Majd
[email protected]
eQuality
Guide and teach the medical students of UCI
regarding the various issues regarding LGBTIQ
Health. This includes combating homophobia
within the medical profession and in society,
promoting quality healthcare for LGBTIQ patients,
and to further understand the challenges faced by
LGBTIQ patients and doctors.
Robi Bucayu
[email protected]
FAIM seeks to provide a support network for
Filipino-American residents, medical students, and
pre-meds who are underrepresented in medicine.
Each month, medical students mentor
undergraduates on the UC Irvine campus who are
interested in the health professions.
Rachel Sunico
[email protected]
Latino Medical
Student
Association
(LMSA)
Major Groove
Medical Students
for Choice
Robi Bucayu
[email protected]
Luke Yu
[email protected]
FilipinoAmericans in
Medicine
Labor and
Delivery
Shadowing
Jamie Yabuno
[email protected]
Interact with OBGYN attendings/residents and
observe procedures; streamlined sign up process
makes shadowing easily accessible to students
Isaure Hostetter
[email protected]
Mentor, support, and represent the Latino
community in health care through advocacy,
mentorship and outreach programs
Axana Rodriguez-Torres
[email protected]
Major Groove is a hip-hop dance performing group. Helen Nepomuceno
We traditionally have made appearances at the
[email protected]
statewide Med Games competition, Winter Formal,
and the Medapalooza Talent Show.
Jennifer Anderson
[email protected]
National program that works to improve medical
student education and exposure to contraception,
abortion, and reproductive health. Provides
workshops, internships and other opportunities
both at UCI and at hospitals across the country
Kathryn Barron
[email protected]
MEDleys
Acapella group that has various performances
throughout the year; provides music therapy for
patients by bringing them holiday cheer
Robert Bucayu
[email protected]
Kimberly Vu
[email protected]
PALS
Pairs first and second year medical students with
chronically-ill pediatric patients as pals that visit
each other regularly for activities and outings;
opportunity to be a child's mentor and friend and
learn about illnesses in pediatric population
Megan Bernstein
[email protected]
Alexa Love
[email protected]
Mackenzie Cater
[email protected]
Physicians for
Human Rights
(PHR)
UCI chapter of national PHR organization; work to Orli Florsheim
eliminate social inequality and injustice, particularly [email protected]
in the field of medicine; provide support to local
organizations striving to eliminate health disparities Navneet Kahlon
[email protected]
Physicians for
National Health
Program
Learn more about and advocate for a national
single payer health plan (universal healthcare)
through talks and participation in a lobby day
Sarah Cousins
[email protected]
Prepare the annual humanities journal, featuring
work by patients, physicians, medical students,
and other members of the medical community
Austin Momii
[email protected]
Plexus Journal of
Arts and
Humanities
Tiffany Pham
[email protected]
Podcasters @
UCI
We are a new organization of students who create
an audio podcast series to highlight fascinating
topics in medicine.
Students for
Integrative
Medicine
The organization is focused on fostering a
Faith Njoku
community of students interested in integrative
[email protected]
medicine and wellness and introducing education,
mentorship, and clinical and career opportunities in
the fields of IM. Students learn about the different
practices in integrative medicine from professionals
and patients involved in the field.
Dhruba Banerjee
[email protected]
Students National
Medical
Association
(SNMA)
Team KiPOW
Ultrasound
International
SNMA support current and future
underrepresented minority medical students,
address the needs of underserved communities,
and increase the number of clinically excellent,
culturally competent and socially conscious
physicians. SNMA programs serve the health
needs of underserved communities and
communities of color.
Kelley Butler
[email protected]
Team KiPOW volunteers in Orange County
elementary schools on a weekly basis to teach
students about healthy living and exercise.
Volunteers also eat lunch and exercise with these
elementary students so that they can mirror these
mentors. The idea is, proving that face time with
trusted mentors is an important aspect of making
health change and can be an important tool to
implement health policy.
Team KiPOW Board
([email protected])
Each year, UCISOM sends students across the
globe to participate in ultrasound education
projects. In 2016, we sent students to Indonesia,
Tanzania, Switzerland and Panama. Although the
main research project is Ultrasound Education,
groups have been successful in launching other
research initiatives as well as community outreach
efforts.
Indonesia: Jon Lee
[email protected]
Tanzania: Megan Bernstein
[email protected]
Switzerland: Connor Byrne
[email protected]
Panama: Ezequiel Andrade
[email protected]
UCI International
Initiative
The UCI International Initiative assists with student
research abroad, ultrasound or other, during the
summer between first and second year. We are
involved with helping students obtain MedEd
funding and making sure groups have
projects/IRBs/logistics in place prior to travel.
One day conference to expose undergraduates
interested in medicine and other health fields to a
day in the life of a medical student; provide hands
World of Medicine
on clinical workshops, exposure to different
specialties, mentoring, and admissions counseling
Jessa Baker
[email protected]
Amanda Purdy
[email protected]
Bima Hasjim
[email protected]
Tara Zand
[email protected]
Elective Classes
UCI SOM offers many elective classes open to students from all
years. There is no limit to how many electives can be taken.
Some electives provide more hands on activities, which are
usually capped to a certain number of students. Other electives
are presented in a lecture format, which are usually open to all
students and attendance is not limited. Elective credit is usually
received by attending 80% of the classes. Most electives, with a
few exceptions, are led by the medical students.
Generally, elective classes
are once a week for 8-10
weeks and are held during
lunch time (12-1pm)
Elective
Focus/Topics Covered
Examine the painting,
Examine the patient
Develop visual thinking by analyzing art and using this experience to enhance
observational skills with patients.
Global Health Elective
Learn about global health challenges and opportunities to advance health care
abroad through lectures and by interacting with residents involved in international
trips.
Health Policy Elective
Develop an understanding of access and disparities in healthcare, types of
healthcare systems, pharmaceutical companies, Affordable Care Act, insurance
policies, and opportunities and challenges in an evolving healthcare environment
Literature and Medicine
Importance of literature and other art forms in medicine; how to integrate art into
medicine
Medical Spanish
1st year Spanish speaking medical students teach classmates medical Spanish at
all levels
Nutrition Counseling
Elective
This elective was created in order to teach medical students about nutrition topics
that they will frequently encounter with their patients. Lectures focus on dietary
approaches to common medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes, and
hyperlipidemia. During each session, students apply what they have learned
through doctor-patient role play scenarios. You will learn not only what is
important for your MS1/2 Clinical Foundations exams, MS3 Clinical OSCEs, and
Step 2 CS exam, but you will also (and most importantly) develop skills that you
will use throughout your medical career...and be the best doctor you can be.
Social Medicine Elective Learn from speakers who will discuss social, cultural, and human rights issues as
they pertain to the delivery of and access to healthcare
UTeach Elective
Expand your experience and knowledge in Obstetrics thorough shadowing
midwives, mentorship with OBGYN residents, as well as a series of lectures
aimed to educate students on important topics such as innovations in
reproductive health, abortion, contraception, and access to care
Ultrasound Elective
Supplements ultrasound curriculum by exposing students to new skills and
techniques
There is a Student Events google calendar! Use it to know what events are going at UCI SOM outside
of the classroom. When you become more involved in organizing those events, add your events to
the calendar to avoid conflicts with events hosted by other student’s groups:
https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=5om3g0564o0gr6sgun8kpf81i8%40group.calendar.goo
gle.com&ctz=America%2FLos_Angeles
*Please DO NOT DELETE EVENTS, because they will delete the event from the entire calendar and
not just your personal calendar. *
Count your hours. Treat med school
like a job, and if you do quality work
between breakfast and dinner you
definitely can and should take the time
to relax and be a normal human again
every day.
Isaure Hostetter, Class of 2019
Don’t get involved too quickly - you
don't want to take on too many roles
and become overwhelmed at the
beginning of med school. It's better
to figure out how much time you need
for studying, then add on things that
you can manage.
- Alex Anshus,Classof2019
1.
For those who may be prone to
being over involved - hold off on
joining too many activities right
away because it can get
overwhelming.
Olivia Kaminsky, Class of 2019
Here's the best advice I have: If you
learn how to manage your time
properly, you have nothing to worry
about. You won't be stressed or
overwhelmed, and you'll have time to
enjoy what you're learning and enjoy
extra-curriculars.
- Kevin Roy, Class of 2019
Be efficient with your time. (i.e. don’t
waste it), study hard, eat well and
exercise often.
Kevin Labadie, Class of 2016
AMSG Co-President
Matched at University of Washington
General Surgery
Enjoy the experiences and talks
provided - don't worry too much about
grades! Really only have to pass.
Alyssa Lo, Class of 2019
Heads up, you’re going to feel like a kid in a
candy store! Being involved in so many
different things is a lot of fun. Since our
class of ~100 is relatively small, it is a fun
way to get to know your classmates and
become immersed in the Anteater
community. Being involved has also taught
me lessons that can’t be found inside the
classroom like leadership, communication,
and accountability.
Bima Hasjim, Class of 2019
UCI SOM Traditions & Activities
MS1/MS2 Powderpuff Game
Lace up your cleats ladies! The annual
MS1/MS2 powder-puff game puts both years
to the test. Coached by your very own male
classmates, complete with cheerleaders and
half-time show.
MS1/2 Basketball Game
This co-ed basketball game counts for all of the bragging rights. Participate in the game fun or
come by to cheer on your classmates as the two teams battle it out at the ARC basketball
courts.
Dodgeball Tournament
Prepare yourselves for the most epic costume
themed dodgeball tournament you’ll ever
participate in. You heard me right, costume
themed. So make create a co-ed team with
five of your closest new friends, or stack your
team with the best athletes the class has to
offer and pick your team theme. Prizes are
awarded to the tournament winners and team
with the most awesome costumes.
Med Games
Here’s where the real medical school rankings are
made. Join in on the sports competition to end all
sports competitions. All the Southern California
med schools compete against one another in the
sports competition to end all sports competitions.
Join your classmates on teams for soccer,
basketball, dodge ball, dance, and track. No guts,
no glory, this one’s for all the marbles.
Exam Night Fundays
Exams suck. Luckily, your 103 new friends are
here to help make it better. After every exam
the MS1 co-president’s plan a class wide
event for fun, laughs, and lots of memories.
Previous events have included lunches or
dinners, trips to the beach, surfing, bar crawls,
game nights, movie watches, and an epic
cross campus scavenger hunt.
“Sextiles”
These are the grown up versions of Monday
Fundays. Sextiles are the party that occurs
at the end of each eight-week rotation block
for the MS3 and 4s. Planned by the MS3 copresidents and usually hosted in Orange.
Come out for a good time and a great
chance to meet your awesome older
classmates. (Origin of name “sextile”:
nobody knows…)
Talent Show
Faculty and students show off their most
amazing talents and abilities at the UCI SOM
talent show! So warm up those vocal cords,
or just come by to cheer on your classmates
as they perform amazing feats.
UCI SOM Retreat
2015 welcomed the revival of the annual
UCI SOM retreat. It is a dynamic event,
focusing on wellness and resiliency. There
will be multi-disciplinary workshops, team
building exercises, a large scale group
competitive activity, social activity with DJ
and dancing, and plenty of free time to
relax. Faculty and medical students of all
years congregate at the beautiful UCLA
Lake Arrowhead Conference Center.
UCI Halloween Party
Start getting those costume ideas ready now,
you’ll need them for the UCI SOM annual
Halloween bash. Show of your creativity with
an epic solo costume or group theme, and
head on out for some fun and dancing with
your classmates.
Winter Formal
We clean up good. This classy event occurs
every year in January and is open to
students and dates. Featuring dancing,
drinks, photo booths, and lots of fun. Last
year, it was on a boat, man. So grab your
nautical themed pashmina afghan.
Willed Body Memorial Service
Anatomy is one of the most memorable and
impactful classes you will ever take. It is
unique in that not only is it a class that
requires the efforts of the teacher and
student, but also the gracious donations of
those that have passed before us. After the
final anatomy lab practical, it is tradition for
the class to come together to reflect on the
experience and pay respects to the donors. It
is a humbling experience and a time to give
thanks for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
World of Medicine
Established in 2013, World of Medicine is an
annual event that invites UCI undergrads to the
medical campus. The day is full of workshops
put on by various UCI SOM Interest Groups,
mentoring, and gives a chance for pre-medical
students to rub elbows with the admissions
committee. It is a day for campus staff, medical
students, faculty, and undergrad students to
celebrate medicine and the entire UCI
community!
Match Day
Arguably the most exciting day of the year,
Match Day is an annual activity that takes
place simultaneously at all U.S. medical
schools, involving about 28,000 graduating
students. After endless hours of intense
studying and clinical rotations, soon-tograduate UC Irvine medical students saw their
dreams come into focus on Match Day, March
18, when they learned where their careers as
doctors will start.
School of Medicine Socials
Turns out, there are other buildings on the
medical campus filled with awesome
researchers and graduate students. These
socials are a mixer for all us cool nerdy kids
to meet and talk science. They occur every
quarter on the Med Ed patio and provide
free food and drinks.
LGBTQIA Resources
Contributors: Soe Thein
eQuality
eQuality is a medical student-run organization, whose mission is to guide and teach UCI
medical students about the various issues concerning LGBTIQA health. This includes:
1) Combating homophobia within the medical profession and in society,
2) Promoting quality healthcare for LGBTIQA patients, and to further understand the
challenges faced by LGBTIQA patients and doctors, and
3) Providing a safe space for LGBTIQA medical students and support those who
have been challenged by discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation
and/or gender identity.
eQuality hosts social events during the year and helps coordinate lectures given to the
medical student body. These lectures are typically offered through the electives run by
medical students (Social Medicine, Physicians for Human Rights, etc.) or through the
Clinical Foundations course series.
The UCI LGBT Resource Center
The UCI LGBT resource center is also a valuable resource for medical students. It is
dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for UCI's diverse lesbian, gay
bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and ally communities. We raise
awareness, increase visibility, and engage in advocacy regarding LGBTQIA issues.
For more information, please visit www.lgbtrc.uci.edu
Social Activities and Nightlife for LGBTQIA Students
We are only a 45-min drive away from major cities, such as Los Angeles and San
Diego, providing ample opportunities for social activities and nightlife for LGBTQIA
community.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.lgbtrc.uci.edu/resourcelibrary/OCLocalResources
For more information on these programs feel free to email us at:
Matthew Gunther ([email protected]) or Soe Thein ([email protected])
Intramural Sports
Contributor: Michael Butler
Intramurals at UCI are very similar to most
college intramurals, and are tons of fun. There
are countless sports/leagues available to
choose from, each of which are usually offered
one quarter per year. The more popular sports
may be broken up into leagues of varying
levels of competition, and every league will
have a mix of undergraduates and graduate
students filling its rosters. Most sports have
about a 5 game season, followed by some sort
of playoff tournament for teams that qualify.
These teams are really what you make out of
them: if you are committed and want to put in
a lot of time your team can coordinate practices
among themselves, and if you're not into that
and just want to have some fun, you can just
show up once a week for your games. Any
team that wins the championship gets a
glorious IM championship t-shirt. UCISOM
has an impressive track record with IMs, with
representation in most leagues and even
some championships! So if you're interested
at all and want to play with other med
students, don't hesitate to ask around and
someone will point you in the right direction.
We're banking on you to continue our legacy!
For more information, please visit: http://www.campusrec.uci.edu/im/index.asp
Issue #, Date
Section 5: Curriculum
Lorem Ipsum Dolor
Dr. Julie Youm
Instructional
Technologies
Acknowledgements:
Jamie Miller, MS3
Lauren Shreve, MS3
Dr. Jeffrey Suchard
Dr. John Fox
Dr. W. Wiechmann
Associate Dean of Basic
Science Education
Assistant Dean of
Student Affairs
Associate Dean of
Educational Technology
Nandie Khahera
Ms2
Will Minteer
Ms2
Nadia Zuabi
Ms2
Pejman Majd
Ms2
Year One Overview
Jeffrey Suchard, M.D.
Associate Dean, Basic Science Education
Hello! My name is Jeff Suchard, and I am the Associate Dean for Basic Science
Education here at UC Irvine Health School of Medicine. Today I want to give you a
glimpse into your first year of medical school at UC Irvine. We are working hard to
ensure that the pre-clerkship curriculum is clinically relevant and prepares our students
well for their future careers.
Starting in the 2015-16 academic year, the UC Irvine Health School of Medicine will be
following our novel iTEACH curriculum. iTEACH is an acronym that stands
for: Integrated, Technology-Enhanced, Activity-Coordinated, and Humanistic, helping
the school to focus its educational vision. In addition, iTEACH is a declarative
statement (i.e., “I teach”) from the faculty regarding their role in the process. The
overarching goals of the iTEACH curriculum are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
To teach content in an integrated fashion within educational blocks which limit
the number of concurrent courses and standardizes examination systems.
To provide a technology-enhanced learning environment, capitalizing on UC
Irvine’s national expertise in digital-based education, ultrasound, and simulation.
To give students an activity-coordinated curriculum that emphasizes early
clinical training through the use of advanced instructional technologies and a
patient-centered pre-clinical clerkship.
To develop physicians with life-long humanistic values by emphasizing the art
of medicine, medical humanities, compassionate patient care, effective
communication, and diversity awareness.
In the 2015-16 year, orientation for first-year students will begin in early August. The
first block is “Normal Human Structure & Function,” which includes Anatomy &
Embryology, Histology, and Physiology. We believe it’s important to get students into
the Anatomy lab as soon as feasible, to start the training that is clearly and directly
clinically-oriented. The Anatomy component carries over into the “Mind & Brain” block,
since Anatomy of the Head and Neck regions correlate well with Neuroscience,
Behavioral Science and Medical Ethics. The final basic science block of the first year is
“Molecular Basis of Medicine,” which combines instruction in Biochemistry with Human
Genetics and introduces concepts key to understanding neoplasia (cancer biology),
preparing students for their introduction to Pathology at the beginning of the following
year.
Throughout the first year, students also take the Clinical Foundations I course, which
rounds out your medical education with instruction in obtaining a patient’s history,
performing physical examination, medical documentation, inter-professional teamwork,
and the fundamentals of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students also train frequently in
simulation, both with standardized patients and in our high-fidelity Simulation
Laboratory.
UC Irvine is also known for its longitudinal Clinical Ultrasound curriculum that occurs
throughout all four years of medical school. Our new Patient-Centered clinical clerkship
(PACE) begins toward the end of the MS1 year, and continues through the MS2 year. In
the PACE program, students get weekly, clinical instruction from their primary care
physician mentors, patients, and clinical practices. PACE provides an opportunity to see
real medicine in action and to hone clinical skills, during a time traditionally dedicated
only to classroom instruction. Over the summer, between the MS1 and MS2 years,
students have time off to pursue research or other dedicated extracurricular activities.
I hope this gives you a quick overview of your first year.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
[email protected].
Interactive Learning
Julie Youm, PhD
Division of Educational Technology
A large effort has been undertaken to improve the active learning experiences in the
medical school curriculum. Two ways in which this has been approached is through
greater flipped classroom and small-group learning experiences. To support the flipped
classroom, the School of Medicine opened a media studio in the Medical Education
Building where faculty and students can come to record high-quality video podcasts.
There have also been efforts for more faculty/student-generated content such as iBooks,
multi-touch, interactive digital textbooks. Reviewing didactic content ahead of time via
podcasts and iBooks allows in-person class time to be used for presentation of clinical
cases, simulations, interactive discussions, and small-group activities. Physiology,
Genetics, Biochemistry, Histology and Neuroscience are examples of courses that have
integrated flipped classroom and/or small-group active learning opportunities using
various modalities to improve student engagement.
“I have found the flipped classroom and small group sessions to be a particularly valuable
portion of the UCI Curriculum. It is quite refreshing to break the typical mold of didactic
lecture and have real discussions on cases and questions with my peers. I often find my
strengths and weaknesses during these sessions, which has proven invaluable while
studying for exams on a time budget. I’m incredibly grateful that we have people behind
the scenes organizing these efforts!”
-Adam Kalawi
MS2
Ultrasound in Medical Education
Chris Fox, MD
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs
Director of Instructional Ultrasound
With the advent of battery-powered, hand-held ultrasound machines, medical students
can peer through the skin at internal organs to see abnormalities without exposing
patients to radiation. Our mission is to provide medical students with bedside ultrasound
skills at the point of care by integrating these skills throughout their medical school
training. Ultrasound in Medical Education has the potential not only to enhance the
learning experience for students, but also to improve the quality of patient care provided.
The Clinical Foundations of Ultrasound is the first stage of a four-year integration of the
Ultrasound in Medical Education curriculum. By learning the physics and optimization of
ultrasound image acquisition, it serves as an introduction to live ultrasound anatomy and
physiology. This helps students connect what they learn in basic science courses,
anatomy laboratory, and basic clinical foundations and provides additional opportunities
to practice patient-physician communication and draping techniques. This is achieved
through participation in a series of hands-on sessions led by senior medical students,
residents, fellows, and faculty. Students are evaluated periodically throughout the year
including on the OSCE exam. There is a robust ultrasound elective during the preclinical
years for students who want to learn even more!
In the third year, clerkship-focused training prepares students at the patients' bedside
through the support of dedicated faculty in the respective departments. All educational
scans conducted by students are recorded as video-clips, and reviewed with the students.
By the time students are in their fourth year, there is a dedicated emergency ultrasound
four-week elective. Students perfect image acquisition and interpretation throughout
large range of applications in the emergency department. Fourth year students can sign
up for a month long ultrasound elective that is in the specialty of their choice. In this
clerkship, students focus on the various procedures and techniques specific to their
specialty. All educational scans conducted by students are recorded as live images, stored
in a central system, and reviewed with the students by Dr. J. Christian Fox, Director of
Instructional Ultrasound in Medical Education.
By the end of medical school, students have over 50 hours of hands-on
experience with ultrasound and demonstrate proficiency on over 10
applications of point-of-care ultrasound.
International Ultrasound Initiative
Allison Zha, Bradley Jacobsen, Anjali Hari
MS4’s
CongratsandwelcometoUCI!Duringthesummerbetweenfirstandsecondyear,youwillhave
timeoffasdedicatedvacationtime.Studentsengageinavarietyofactivitiesduringthistime,
fromresearchtovolunteeringtotravel.OneofthestrengthsofUCIisoursummerinternational
ultrasoundinitiative.Everysummer,about40%ofthefirstyearmedicalschoolclasstravelall
overtheworldtoteachultrasoundtomedicalstudentsandphysicians,participateinultrasoundrelatedresearch,andtolearnabouthealthcareandmedicineinothercountries.Wehavehad
teamstraveltoeverycontinent(exceptAntarctica),includingPanama,Brazil,Turkey,Tanzania,
Ethiopia,Vietnam,IndiaandAustralia.
Whilesomeofthesetripshavebeengoingonforseveralyears,wealsohavenewprojectsbeing
establishedeveryyear.Teamsof3-10studentsparticipateintheseprojects,whichlastfrom4-8
weeks.Theseprojectsarestudent-led,whichmeansyouwillhavetheflexibilitytodesignyour
owncurriculumandresearchproject.Butdon’tworry,UCIwillprovideyouwiththeresources
forasuccessfultrip,fromultrasoundtrainingsessionsthatstartyourfirstmonthofmedical
school,tolendingyouportableultrasoundmachinestotakeabroad.
Youwillbeabletohearmoreabouttheseprojectsattheclubfairduringthefirstcoupleweeksof
medicalschool,withmoreinfosessionsthroughouttheFall.MostteamsareformedbyJanuary,
afterwhichstudentsstartpreparingfortheirsummersbycreatingtheirultrasoundcurriculum
anddraftingtheirIRBsandresearchproposals.Additionally,studentsfundraisefortheirtrips
throughgrantsandonlinefundraisingplatforms,andspendthelastfewmonthspreparingto
leavethecountry(i.e.byapplyingforvisasandreceivingimmunizations).
Ifyoutalktoanyonewhohasgoneon
anultrasoundsummertrip,chances
aretheywillhavenothingbutpositive
thingstosayaboutit.Thesetripsallow
studentstoexploreuniqueresearch
projects,sharetheirultrasound
knowledge,andgaininvaluableinsight
intoculturesdifferentfromtheirown.
Getreadytohavethetimeofyourlife!
Panama
Tanzania
Australia
Brazil
Turkey
Vietnam
ResearchatUC-IrvineSchoolofMedicine
Research in medical school has become an incredibly important aspect of the education process and a
centerpiece in strong residency applications. The University of California, Irvine is among the top 50
institutions for NIH grant funding, and the UCI School of Medicine is ranked in the top 50 medical
schools for research in the nation. UCI offers many exciting opportunities for medical students to
participate in basic science and clinical research. The faculty and staff involved in clinical and basic
research are incredibly receptive to medical students participating in their research projects, and are
available via email. Below is a list of every department complete with faculty and staff research
interests and contacts: UCI SOM Departments
UCI MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program) and UCI AMIG (Academic Medicine Interest Group)
both host multiple Distinguished Faculty Research Lectures to help students gain insight to various
research topics here at UCI and other institutions. If you’re interested in a specific specialty (i.e.
Emergency Medicine or Orthopedics), the interests groups in each specialty host faculty speed dating,
faculty lectures, and research specific dinners which provide the opportunity to meet and learn about a
professor and their research projects (see the interest groups section).
SummerResearchFunding
The UCI School of Medicine Dean’s Office Summer Research Fellowship Program provides
competitive sources of stipends for students who wish to participate in research projects at UCI, with
special attention paid to opportunities which span two-months of full-time research. Lists of available
faculty sponsors and their research interests are provided to aid students in their search for a sponsor.
Students submit a brief (maximum two pages) research proposal to apply for Dean’s Office funding
which undergo faculty committees review. A list of external funding sources of support for student
research is also made available and staff assistance is provided to students interested in applying for
funding.
For more information regarding external summer research funding opportunities, research at UCI SOM,
and contact information for students who are currently participating in research/have participated in
research visit the UCI Academic Medicine Interest Group (AMIG) website.
ResearchPresentations
In addition to providing extensive research opportunities, the UCI SOM and UCI AMIG provide
constant updates with information pertaining to national and local research conferences. The UCI SOM
provides yearly funding for each student to attend or present research at national conferences. In
addition, UCI AMIG hosts a yearly Student Research Lecture Series, providing students with the
opportunity to present their research projects and experiences.
Contact Lauren Shreve ([email protected]) for more information.
Dual Degrees at Irvine (5-6 Year Programs)
Information
Irvine offers several great dual degree program
options. The MBA, MS-BATS, and MPH
programs are all one year in duration, and are
traditionally taken between the third and fourth
clinical years. Most programs generally offer 10
guaranteed spots for MD students, however, they
have accepted more in the past based on numbers
of interested and exceptional candidates. http://www.som.uci.edu/graduatestudies/education/dual-degree.asp
Applying The application for each of these programs typically occurs at the end of the second year of medical
school. However, some programs do allow for applications during the third year. Students considering
applying to any program must be in good standing and approved by the medical school. The application
consists of a CV, 2-3 letters of recommendation (either from pre-medical school or medical school),
personal statement, and an interview. No additional standardized testing (i.e. GRE), are required to
apply to these programs. Please see the website of the program below for specific and updated
application requirements. Master’s of Science in Biomedical and Translational Science (MD/MS-BATS)
MS-BATS is a clinical research training program offering a one-year accelerated interdisciplinary
clinical research education aimed at developing the skills to conduct, interpret, evaluate and apply
clinical research. The curriculum aims to develop a comprehensive training to turn basic and clinical
research into improved patient care. Courses include training in statistics, health policy and politics,
clinical epidemiology, instruction on health and healthcare, clinical trial analysis and design, grant
writing, and many others. The flexibility of the current curriculum design and faculty mentorship
encourages students with various clinical interests to enhance their training through electives and
specific research focused towards their future chosen specialty. Students will complete and defend a
master’s thesis at the end of the program. http://www.som.uci.edu/bats/
http://som.uci.edu/graduate-studies//Degree%20Programs/ms-bats-program.asp
Master’s of Business Administration (MD/MBA)
UCI’s MD/MBA program began in 1998, making it one of the oldest MD/MBA programs in the US.
This program is geared toward students who seek a career as physicians with major responsibility in
administration and management of healthcare organizations and institutions. Course requirements
include 11 core business classes such as finance, statistics, marketing, economics and accounting. About
half of the curriculum is student chosen elective courses, with multiple medically related subjects
available each term. The business school class size is 100 students per year, with an emphasis on team
building and group work by splitting the students into smaller sections for each class. The Paul Merage
School of Business in currently rated number 53 in the country, and did we mention Paul Merage is the
founder of the Hot Pocket? Nomz. http://www.meded.uci.edu/mdmba/
Master’s of Public Health (MD/MPH) UCI’s MD/MPH program was started in 2013 and
aims to train physicians on the changing public
health needs of the world. The five-year dual degree
program is aimed at high-achieving and motivated
students who are interested in improving the health
of individuals and addressing issues that affect the
public’s health. Curriculum includes courses in the
subjects of environmental health, epidemiology, as
well as sociocultural diversity and health. Students
will complete and defend a master’s thesis at the end
of the program.
http://www.meded.uci.edu/mdmph/
Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC)
A crucial mission of the UCI School of Medicine is to educate highly qualified physicians to serve the
diverse populations of California. This five-year dual-degree program responds to an increasing demand
for physician-leaders who are culturally sensitive and linguistically competent to address the specific
needs of California's Latinos. PRIME-LC students can elect to pursue any master’s degree they feel will
aid them in becoming a physician-leader for the Latino community. Students may choose to complete a
masters program at UCI or elsewhere, provided acceptance. Students typically pursue their master’s
degree between their 3rd and 4th years of medical school. PRIME-LC students come from diverse
backgrounds but all demonstrate a commitment to service and solid conversational Spanish. The
PRIME-LC supplemental application is part of the UCI School of Medicine secondary application and
applicants selected for interviews are required to complete a third interview in Spanish. http://www.meded.uci.edu/primelc/
Dual Degrees at Irvine (7+ Year Programs)
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) (MD/Ph.D.)
Applications and acceptance into the MSTP program occurs concurrently with MD application through
the AMCAS application system, except with special circumstances. Students admitted to the MSTP
program will take a minimum of seven years to complete the requirements for the two degrees. Medical
scientist students generally complete two years of the medical school curriculum, and then enter their
Ph.D. research years. Each Ph.D. curriculum is specifically designed for the individual student following
guidelines agreed upon by the participating academic units. All medical scientist students will receive
on-going curricular guidance from the Program Director. To return to the clinical years (years three and
four) a student must have completed all of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree, including preparation
and defense of the thesis. http://mstp.uci.edu/
Dual Degrees Away (5-6 Year Programs)
UCI Medical Students can enroll in dual graduate degrees outside of the UCI system. Application
deadlines and requirements vary based on the desired program and location. Typically, an additional
standardized test will be required, and all masters programs are typically two years in length. Contact Nadia Zuabi ([email protected]), Kevin Nee ([email protected]), William Minteer
([email protected]), and Nandie Khahera ([email protected]) for more information.
Academic Advice
Adjusting to a new city is even more difficult when you also have to adjust to a new curriculum,
pace, and load. Below is some advice to getting you off the ground academically!
How to approach anatomy - study
ahead!
Nathan Calixto,Classof2019
Balance academics by doing things
that you love continuously
throughout the school year
Olivia Kaminski,Classof2019
Use high yield resources outside of
the school's curriculum.
Adam Kalawi,Classof2018
Focus on learning the important
concepts and the big picture.
Borna Dabiri,Classof2016
Relax and don't take school too
seriously to the point that you drive
yourself insane. It is only first year!
Learn to have a balanced schedule!
Nam Thai,Classof2019
Even if you prefer to study alone make
time to do some group studying. You'll
do better on your tests and it's
therapeutic to socialize a little during
stressful test blocks.
Nadia Zuabi,Classof2019
Study to retain long term and forget
about individual test scores. Enjoy
first year and get out and meet
people.
Ashton Christian,Classof2017
Remember that life keeps going!
Don't get too bogged down in
studying.
Britanny Winckler,Classof2016
Always try your best.
Average in medical school is way above
average in the real world.
Reach out to loved ones when you have
a rough day.
Christine Panganiban,Classof2016
Don't sweat the academics so
much because you'll have more
relevant chances to shine in the
upcoming years.
Brianna Williams,Classof2019
Pass. Just pass. Pass, pass, and pass. Not
everyone in medical school is going to be a topof-the-class scorer, and that's perfectly fine. What
matters is you do well on your rotations, and that
you score well on your USMLE Step 1 exams.
Those are both entirely different skillsets from
passing your classes.
John Jiao ,Classof2019
Figure out how to study, the first few
months is all about learning how you
learn best!
Jon Lee,Classof2019
Section 6: Clinical Exposure
Dr. W. Wiechmann
Dr. J. Suchard
Associate Dean of
Clinical Sciences
Associate Dean of
Basic Sciences
Dr. C. Ricks
Director of Clinical
Simulation Center
Clinical Foundations
Clinical Foundations (CF) is a longitudinal clinical medicine course that spans all four years of
medical school. Through this course, medical students learn the fundamental clinical skills
necessary to communicate with patients, colleagues, and healthcare professionals. Clinical
faculty members at UCI School of Medicine serve as mentors throughout the entire process,
and consistently provide individual feedback to improve the learning experience.
Students are placed in small groups (approximately 3-4 students) led by a UCI physician, and
typically meet once every week or two in the Clinical Skills Center. Additionally, students can
expect to have periodic ultrasound training sessions, large group discussions on important
health topics, and realistic simulations through the inter-professional team critical incident
training (ITCI) program. ITCI encourages medical students and nursing students to learn how
to effectively work as a team through the use of simulation technology.
First Year
First year medical students can expect to learn how to conduct a comprehensive medical
interview, perform a physical examination, and document clinical encounters. Students are
evaluated on their ability to follow the course objectives through an Observed Structured
Clinical Exam (OSCE). During this exam, students demonstrate their ability to obtain a
complete medical history and perform organ-specific physical examinations.
At the beginning of the year, there is a 3day clinical immersion program where
students are assigned to shadow a team of
physicians and medical students in the
hospital. Specialties include Internal
Medicine, Surgery, OB/GYN, Oncology,
Neurology, and many more.
A pre-clinical clerkship called “PACE”
(PAtient CEntered) starts in the last 10
weeks of the school year. This program is
designed to give students a taste of the
clinical clerkships that begin in the third
year. Students will spend each Wednesday
with an assigned faculty mentor (ideally in
primary care) to gain clinical exposure and
to hone their clinical exam skills.
Furthermore, this program allows students
to spend quality time at a physician’s
practice and gain a deeper understanding
of that specialty.
For more information, visit this webpage.
Second Year
Second year medical students can expect to expand
on the skills gained in the previous year through
additional didactic lectures and small group
interactions. Students build upon their history-taking
skills and learn clinical reasoning to develop potential
diagnoses. Furthermore, students are expected to
have a deeper understanding of pathology and
pharmacology in their medical encounters. Students
will also continue
to evaluate their
progress through
periodical OSCEs.
PACE (PAtient CEntered) will continue as PACE II for the
first 20 weeks of the school year. Students will continue to
spend every Wednesday learning from their same mentor
from PACE I during this time.
For more information, visit this webpage
Third Year
Third year students will spend 2 weeks solidifying the skills learned in CF I and CF II before
embarking on the third year clerkships. Students will need to demonstrate the ability to perform
a full history and physical examination, draw differential diagnoses, perform a full write-up and
SOAP note, perform basic clinical skills (e.g. suturing), interpret radiologic and laboratory
results, and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. Throughout the year,
students will continue to evaluate their progress
through clerkship-specific OSCEs (surgery, OB/GYN,
Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Neuroscience).
Additionally, UCI will be incorporating “inter-sessions”
into the school year. These sessions will allow
students to meet back together as a class to learn hot
topics pertaining to the clinical clerkships and to
discuss the social aspects of medicine (e.g.
healthcare policy, business of medicine, cultural
issues, etc.).
For more information, visit this webpage
Fourth Year
Fourth year students can expect to prepare for life
as a physician by working with colleagues and
allied healthcare professionals in on-call
scenarios. At the beginning of the year, fourth year
medical students take a Clinical Practice Exam
(CPX) to assess their communication, history
taking skills, and physical examination skills.
Clinical Skills Center
The Clinical Skills Center (CSC) is the primary location of clinical education at UCI School of
Medicine. It is located on the second floor of the Medical Education (MedEd) Building, and
includes 17 patient rooms and three acute-care simulation rooms. This one-of-a-kind facility is
where students interact with clinical instructors and standardized patients to gain valuable
skills in a clinical setting.
Students complete the
objectives of the Clinical
Foundations course by
learning how to take a
medical history, perform
physical exams, and learn
bedside ultrasound
techniques. All clinical
encounters are recorded, and
students are able to evaluate
their performance with
faculty.
To learn more about the
Clinical Skills Center, please
visit this website
Simulation Center
Cameron Ricks, MD
Director, Medical Education Simulation Center
The UC Irvine Medical Education Simulation Center is a 3,000 square
foot high fidelity simulation center housed on the University of California
Irvine main campus and within the Medical Education Building at the UC
Irvine School of Medicine. The Medical Education Simulation Center
educates and facilitates medical school education for the medical
students enrolled at UC Irvine School of Medicine. The center offers a
full-scale operating room, emergency room trauma bay, clinical ward,
and intensive care unit. The floor plan allows for specific simulated
patient care areas or the ability to use as a general space for
lecture/small group activities/problem-based learning. Moreover, the
Medical Education Simulation Center also facilitates training for UC
Irvine Medical Center residency programs and the community.
Mission
To provide state-of-the-art health care education and research using medical simulation
technology to promote superior clinical care and patient safety by delivering quality immersive
education to healthcare professionals and the community.
Statistics
6800 total learners (523 learners/month avg)
10,790 total simulation education contact hours (all learners)
Services (in addition to medical student education)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology (MOCA)
Simulation Instructor Training
Course (SITC)
Simulation Operations Planning
and Management (SOPM)
Simulation Programming
Curriculum Development
Simulation Research
Simulation Fellowship
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
(ACLS)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
(PALS)
Clinical Clerkships
Orange County and its neighboring cities are quite diverse, despite what reality TV shows like
the “Real Housewives” and “The OC” might portray. As a third year medical student (which
may seem far off now, but will sneak up on you soon!), you’ll get to experience the diversity
Southern California has to offer while you apply your medical knowledge and clinical skills
through clinical clerkships. This is an excellent opportunity for medical students to explore
various medical specialties at some of the finest healthcare locations in California. At UCI
SOM, you will experience what it is like to work in various medical settings, from academic
institutions to private practices all throughout Orange County and Long Beach. Listed here are
a few of the major clinical training sites that you will rotate through as a UCI medical student.
UC Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC)
101 City Drive, Orange, CA 92868
Clinical Clerkship Rotations: Inpatient Medicine, Neurology, OB/GYN, Psychiatry &
Substance Abuse, Surgery
UC Irvine Medical Center (UCIMC) is the primary teaching location for UCI medical students. It
is ranked as the best hospital in Orange County, and has been rated one of the nation’s best
hospitals by US News and World Report for the past 14 years. Because UCIMC houses the
only Level I trauma center and a level II pediatric trauma center in Orange County, you can
expect to have a unique experience as you rotate through this hospital. Additionally, UCIMC is
the home of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (CFCCC), which is the only
National Cancer Institute (NCI)designated cancer center in
Orange County.
Places at the UCIMC that you
should know about:
• UC Irvine Douglas Hospital
• Level I Trauma Center
• Regional Burn Center
• Chao Family Comprehensive
Cancer Center
• UC Irvine Neuropsychiatric
Center
• Comprehensive Stroke &
Cerebrovascular Center
VA Long Beach
5901 E. 7th St., Long Beach, CA 90822
Clinical Clerkship Rotations: Inpatient medicine, Psychiatry & Substance Abuse, Surgery
The VA Long Beach Healthcare
System is one of the main teaching
locations for UCI SOM students
and provides a wide range of
services for more than 50,000
Veterans. The VA provides
exceptional healthcare to the
Veteran community, and prides
itself on focusing on prevention
and population health. By rotating
through this unique healthcare
setting, students are able to
enhance their clinical education
through hands-on learning.
Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
1201 W. La Veta, Orange, CA 92867
Clinical Clerkship Rotation:
Pediatrics, Neurology
The Children's Hospital of Orange
County (CHOC) is a premier Pediatric
healthcare institution located in the
heart of Orange, CA. CHOC has grown
into its role as the largest pediatric
healthcare provider in the county and
has been ranked one of the best
children’s hospitals by US News &
World Report. With nationally
distinguished programs in Oncology,
Pulmonology, Neonatology, and many
other pediatric subspecialties, CHOC
provides students with the opportunity
to see innovative healthcare at its
finest. Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital
2801 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90806
Clinical Clerkship Rotations: Pediatrics,
OB/GYN
The MemorialCare Health System is a primary
healthcare provider in Long Beach, CA and
includes the Long Beach Memorial Medical
Center and the adjacent Miller Children’s &
Women’s Hospital. These clinical training sites
provide a wide range of medical and surgical
services, and are well known for their various
MemorialCare Institutes and Centers. The Memorial Care Center for Women has
received recognition as one of the safest places
to have a baby in California. This center also
specializes in treating high-risk infants at its
level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU),
one of the largest in California.
Additional Clinical Training Sites:
Family Health Center- Anaheim and Santa Ana
Anaheim location:
300 Carl Karcher Way, Anaheim, CA 92801
Rotations: Family Medicine, Pediatrics
Santa Ana location:
800 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Rotations: Family Medicine, OB/GYN, Pediatrics
UC Irvine Health Gottschalk Medical
Plaza
1 Medical Plaza Drive, Irvine, CA 92697
Clinical Clerkship Rotation: Ambulatory Medicine
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, we wish to express our sincerest gratitude towards Dr. Ellena
Peterson, for her unwavering support of this student-initiated project. Thank you
for always advocating on our behalf and for regularly offering your assistance to
make this Welcome Guide a reality.
We would like to include a special thanks to Adam Kalawi, Jamie Miller, and
Lauren Shreve. Without their incredible foresight and commitment to writing and
designing a large portion of the original Welcome Guide, the second edition
would not be possible. We appreciate all the dedication you had towards creating
this wonderful resource for our UCI SOM community.
As this was a collaborative effort, we would also like to thank our classmates for
their contributions. None of this would have been possible without the efforts and
enthusiasm of our colleagues and classmates Orli Florsheim, Jess Lin, Nandie
Khahera, Nam Thai, Chelsea Lam, Alyssa Lo, Alex Anshus, John Jiao, Katrina
Lee, Luke Yu, Katy Lunny, Borna Dabiri, Olivia Kaminsky, Katrina Lee, Will
Minteer, Nadia Zuabi, Jon Lee, Briana Williams, Druba Banerjee, Ryan Gibney,
Elisa Zhang, Ruzan Orkusyan, Nare Torosyan, Mahta Baghoolizadeh, Chris Vo,
Lauren Rosario, Michael Butler, Nick Taylor, Michael Bernaba, Soe Thein, Matt
Gunther, Allison Zha, Brad Jacobsen, and Anjali Hari.
Finally, we would like to express appreciation to our faculty and administration for
their support and contributions. It is remarkable to to have faculty who not only
encourage student-initiated projects, but who also make an effort to assist in
these projects despite their relentless schedules.
Thank You All!