Rankings & Awards

Excellence in practice

An historical aerial shot of the UCLA south campus, which includes the medical campus

A legacy of discovery and inspiration

Decades of transformation and growth.

1951

Since our doors first opened on September 20, 1951, the passion and collaboration of our students, staff, faculty, and trainees have made us a hub of progress, discovery, and inspiration. Our talented community has produced world leaders in health and science, advanced innovation in healthcare and health education, discovered life-changing treatments and diagnostic tests for devastating conditions, and transformed health for the benefit of all in countless other ways.

#1

UCLA, Nationally Ranked Public University, 2025

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#1

UCLA Health, in California and Los Angeles, 2026

$1 Billion

Research Awards Including $516M from the NIH, 2024

A history of distinguished deans

In just 75 years—within the lifetimes of many of its original architects—the David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA has joined the ranks of the nation's elite medical schools. Our leaders have set ambitious courses for the school throughout that time, shepherding the trailblazing spirit UCLA is known for.

  • Stafford L. Warren, MD, 1947 - 1962
  • Sherman Mellinkoff, MD, 1962 - 1986
  • Kenneth I. Shine, MD, 1986 - 1992
  • Gerald S. Levey, MD, 1994 - 2010
  • Eugene Washington, MD, MPH, 2010 - 2015
  • Kelsey Martin, MD, PhD, 2016 - 2021
  • Steven Dubinett, MD, 2021
Group of one of the first medical school classes at UCLA

Defining Moments

What started in a few spare rooms ascended to become one of the nation's premier medical research centers and educational institutions.

Our Timeline