Department of Medicine at UCLA Health

We are thrilled to introduce you to the DoM's strategic plan brochure: bit.ly/46SxjdY. This brochure provides access to a high-level overview of how we plan to guide the growth of our core mission areas over the next years. We hope you are inspired to join us as LEADERS!

Congratulations to Julie Friedman, MPH! Director of the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Education & Research Center, she was honored with the 2026 City of West Hollywood Women in Leadership Award for her work advancing inclusive care for LGBTQ+ women: uclahs.fyi/42h870L

Check out Dr. Abel's Q&A with the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences!  He dives into his research on cardiac metabolism in heart failure, the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and the importance of rigor in the field: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

We're highlighting Dr. Débora Sobreira, vice chair of biological chemistry at UCLA, who won an excellence award at the BRIDGES Consortium for her work on genetic variants and obesity drug responses. Read how her work is advancing personalized treatments: uclahs.fyi/4nig8fx

This week, Dr. Abel highlights the DoM’s strong presence at key scientific and professional meetings. From faculty fellowship elections to trainee research and advocacy efforts, our department continues to lead and innovate.  Read the full newsletter: uclahs.fyi/4ubV3WY

Congrats to Dr. Kaitlyn Fruin who is expanding her work at Homeboy Industries with an AHA Career Development Award! She’ll develop the Homeboy Gym, a fitness facility advancing heart health and whole-person healing for formerly incarcerated individuals: uclahs.fyi/497S0X6

UCLA’s safety net partnerships are benefiting more than just patients. They’re good for faculty too! Drs. Saya Yusa and Daniel Kozman presented research showing how these partnerships foster meaningful, mission-driven work and reduce burnout. Learn more: uclahs.fyi/49d59y5

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate and honor the incredible mothers and mother figures across the UCLA Department of Medicine and beyond. Your dedication, strength and compassion inspire us every day. Thank you for all that you do!

How do ultra-processed foods impact heart health? UCLA Internal Medicine Residency alum Dr. Amier Haidar recently published a study that reveals a strong link between UPFs and cardiovascular disease, highlighting critical public health implications: uclahs.fyi/4cNphJv

"The best doctor I have ever had in my entire life." UCLA internal medicine resident Dr. Alaní Estrella received this heartfelt patient review for his compassionate, high-quality care at the Simms-Mann Health and Wellness Center. Read the full story: uclahs.fyi/3QEcwIJ

Congrats to Dr. Lloyd Harvey on receiving the ASCI E-Gen Award! A fellow in the UCLA STAR Program, he researches pulmonary arterial hypertension, aiming to uncover its genetic and molecular origins to advance precision treatments for this rare condition uclahs.fyi/4tVqpAu

Meet DGSOM students Juan Melesio and Samuel Margolis, recipients of the prestigious Sarnoff Fellowship for Cardiovascular Research! Juan will study cardiac fibrosis using stem cells, while Sam will use AI to uncover heart disease subtypes and treatments: uclahs.fyi/4cnxyUm

Interactions that have meaning! This week’s newsletter highlights inspiring stories of UCLA Department of Medicine trainees and faculty whose impactful work drives our mission to Lead in Innovation, Transform Care and Advance Health for All: uclahs.fyi/4w4rXKp

Congratulations to Dr. Aditya Bardia on his election to the American Society for Clinical Investigation! A leader in precision medicine, Dr. Bardia’s innovative work in antibody-drug conjugates and liquid biopsies is transforming cancer care. Learn more: uclahs.fyi/4vFWGgp

Proud to highlight Dr. Matthew Durstenfeld for receiving the ASCI Young Physician-Scientist Award! His work explores the intersection of infections and cardiovascular health, including Long COVID and HIV, to prevent post-infection heart complications: uclahs.fyi/4cJmIqE

Congratulations to Dr. Dennis Slamon on his election to the Association of American Physicians! His groundbreaking discoveries, including the development of Herceptin, have saved millions of lives and revolutionized cancer care. Read the full story here: uclahs.fyi/48apDal

Proud to highlight Dr. Shannon Wongvibulsin, a dermatology resident in the UCLA STAR Program, who has been honored with the ASCI E-Gen Award! Her research bridges AI and biomedical engineering to tackle gaps in inflammatory skin disease care. Read more: uclahs.fyi/4d3XgfN

Relive the excitement of Dr. Abel’s first pitch at Dodger Stadium! Watch this recap video to see his journey from the lab to the mound, with pitching lessons from an all-star lineup of UCLA coaches! And don't miss the DoM community cheering him on: uclahs.fyi/4d9LWja

Shining the spotlight on Dr. Gloria Yiu who has received the ASCI Young Physician-Scientist Award! A rheumatologist and UCLA STAR Program alum, her research on T cell development aims to advance therapies for autoimmunity and immunodeficiency. Read more: uclahs.fyi/41SrSeT

UCLA DoM clinicians are transforming pre-medical education at UCSB. From new courses to shadowing opportunities, their efforts are boosting medical school acceptance rates and forging paths for future physicians. Read the full story here: uclahs.fyi/4t7eaR8

Proud to announce Dr. Kassem Safa's appointment as the new medical director of the UCLA Kidney Transplant Program. A renowned transplant nephrologist, he brings exceptional expertise in patient care, research and living donor transplantation. Learn more uclahs.fyi/4vnum2x