Local Partnerships
Improving health across our city
We recognize the deep connections between lessons learned locally and globally and encourage students to explore local health care experiences in the greater Los Angeles community. Many DGSOM faculty and staff engaged in global health are also committed to caring for local individuals that are underserved through work in county hospitals, community clinics, and other community-based health care initiatives.
Global health is not just traveling to other countries - it is a philosophy of medical practice in which health equity is central. My work in global health includes not only teaching physicians in Central America but also researching ways to improve care for limited English proficiency patients in Los Angeles. As a health care provider, there are infinite ways to be involved in global health regardless of which country or on what side of a border you are located.
Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH, Emergency Medicine
Our program is proud to sponsor the annual Los Angeles Global Health Conference (LAGHC) in partnership with USC’s Institute on Inequalities in Global Health. LAGHC brings together leading health experts, students, and trainees from every level, faculty from within and outside UCLA, and the public to discuss the most pressing health concerns facing Los Angeles and the world today. Now more than ever, we are increasing our commitment to fostering new—and strengthening existing—partnerships with local organizations to help reduce health inequities right here in our backyard.
Students who join the Global Health Equity Pathway can engage longitudinally with local partners throughout their time at DGSOM, as they learn about and help address global health inequities here in Los Angeles. Students may participate in activities such as clinical observation, advocacy, client education, and/or capacity-strengthening.
Current local partners
Esperanza
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LA Human Rights Initiative
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