David Geffen School of Medicine

Envision yourself a fresh medical student in 1951. You’re standing before a brand new institution, the UCLA School of Medicine, a beacon of hope in the burgeoning field of medical research. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, as it’s known today, had humble beginnings. It was the second medical school in the University of California system, following in the footsteps of UCSF. The original class was small, just 28 students, eager to learn from the 15 faculty members. Classes were held not in gleaming lecture halls, but in the reception lounge of the old Religious Conference Building on Le Conte Avenue. Clinical training took place at Harbor General Hospital, now Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA quickly gained recognition for its innovative curriculum, integrating human biology with disease processes and clinical skills right from the start. This approach set a new standard for medical education. Fast forward to 2001. The school receives a transformative gift of $200 million from entertainment mogul David Geffen. This generous donation, one of the largest ever given to a medical school at the time, leads to the school being renamed in his honor. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA now stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy and the pursuit of medical excellence. Today, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA offers a variety of programs, including MD, MD/PhD, and dual-degree options like MD/MPH and MD/MBA. The school boasts a faculty of over 2,000 and a student body of 750, all contributing to groundbreaking research in areas such as neuroscience, oncology, cardiology, and genomics. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA continues its legacy of innovation and excellence, shaping the future of medicine.