The California HEAL Social Medicine Fellowship is a one-year fellowship that connects, trains, and mentors early-career physicians to make meaningful improvements in the healthcare of underserved communities in Fresno, Los Angeles, and/or the Inland Empire. Social Medicine Fellows spend 30% protected time leading local community health projects and the remaining 70% of their time in direct clinical work at a federally qualified center. To equip physicians to sustainably make long-term improvements in the health of underserved Californians, fellows receive: one-on-one mentorship from local physicians with experience in caring for local underserved communities, structured leadership and advocacy training, and connections to a peer network of healthcare workers grounded in shared commitment and collaboration. We are accepting applicants for our cohort that runs July 2027- June 2028 with placement options in Fresno, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire, California.
Program Components
30% protected time for local community health projects 70% direct clinical workPlacement options in Los Angeles, Fresno, and the Inland EmpireMentorship from physicians experienced in underserved careLeadership, advocacy, and structural competency trainingPotential to stay on full-time at the FQHC after a 1-year programConnected to California HEAL Community Fellows who are healthcare workers (community health workers, health educators, social workers, etc.) already embedded in communities, developing a peer network grounded in shared commitment and collaborationHEAL is currently recruiting internal medicine, family medicine, and medicine - pediatric, and pediatric physicians who will have completed residency by July 2027 for our 2027-28 Social Medicine HEAL Fellows positions. The placement sites include the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and Fresno.
Visit their site for more information: https://healinitiative.org/fellowship-overview/california-heal-program/
UCSF does not use race, gender, sex, or other protected categories or proxies for protected categories in the selection process.
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Dr. Gabrielle Pina at Gapina@llu.edu
About the UCSF HEAL InitiativeThe UCSF HEAL Initiative is a global health organization partnering with healthcare institutions and local governments in resource-denied areas to connect, train, and support local healthcare professionals to strengthen near-term care delivery and lay the foundation for enduring, systemic improvements in healthcare worker resilience and patient outcomes. HEAL has local programs similar to the California Social Medicine Fellowship in Malawi, Navajo Nation, and Mexico.
Compensation & BenefitsThe compensation for starting base compensation ranges from $150,000 -$160,000. This amount does not include variable compensation or extra productivity and is subject to the department compensation plan. More information on compensation is discussed with the candidate during the recruitment process.
For candidates desiring a Master's degree in Public Health or similar degree, we are happy to provide guidance for an appropriate self-funded Master's degree.
Our benefits include:Generous retirement contributionComprehensive medical/dental coverageCompetitive vacation and sick daysCME days and fundsPaid malpractice insurancePaid life insuranceLoan repayment/state & federal (if eligible)For more information on loan forgiveness, please click on the link below: