The academic year 2008-2009 marks the initiation of the Harbor-UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine Colleges.  The purpose of the Colleges is to encourage projects to improve patient care, the educational program and research, to provide mentorship between faculty and residents, and to offer personalized career guidance.   The three Colleges are:

• Medical Education
• Chair:  Diane Birnbaumer, M.D.
• Practice Management and Health Administration
• Chairs:  Mike Peterson, M.D. and Madonna Fernandez, M.D.
• Research
• Chair:  Roger Lewis, M.D., PhD

                                                     
Each college is comprised of faculty who are experts in the areas of practice management and health administration, medical education and clinical and bench research.  Each College will determine projects on an ongoing basis to improve their area of department and foster interaction between faculty, fellows and residents.

At the beginning of the second year, all residents are required to select a College based on their current and future professional interests.  Working with members of their College, residents will work on projects that will increase their understanding and expertise in their area of interest.  If residents determine that a different College better suits their needs as they progress through the residency, they can change Colleges halfway through the academic year.