Family Medicine Residency Program Overview Program Director Welcome Our Residents & Alumni Curriculum PRIME Residency Track Sports Medicine Residency Track How to Apply Meet Our Faculty Training Sites Living in Orange County FAQ PRIME Residency Track Home Research Research: Clinical Departments Family Medicine: Home Family Medicine: Education & Training Family Medicine: Education & Training > Family Medicine Residency Family Medicine: Education & Training > Family Medicine Residency > Curriculum Family Medicine: Education & Training > Family Medicine Residency > Curriculum > Prime-LC Residency Track Empowering Equity-Driven Leaders in Medicine The PRIME Family Medicine Residency Track at UC Irvine is a specialized pathway designed to develop physicians who are committed to advancing health equity, social justice and community-centered care. Through a structured curriculum focused on advocacy, community engagement and mentorship, PRIME equips residents with the tools and experiences needed to become impactful leaders in medicine. Mission & Goals The PRIME Family Medicine Residency Track emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the social determinants of health, particularly within Latine and underserved communities. Residents are encouraged to build meaningful relationships, engage in policy and systems-level change and mentor future healthcare professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. Mission PRIME’s mission is to empower Family Medicine residents to become equity-driven leaders, advocates and mentors. The program fosters a deep understanding of social justice, encourages strong community partnerships and promotes lasting contributions to health equity. Goals PRIME is guided by four core goals: Develop Equity-Minded Leaders — Residents learn to influence healthcare systems, policy and community initiatives through an equity lens. Strengthen Latine Community Partnerships — The program promotes cultural humility and collaboration to improve health outcomes and amplify marginalized voices. Prepare Residents as Mentors — PRIME supports residents in mentoring future leaders in medicine, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Encourage Careers in FQHCs, Leadership and Academia — Residents are inspired to pursue roles where they can continue advocating for health equity and mentoring others. "Greetings from Santa Ana" Santa Ana is central to the PRIME track because our residency clinic is located in the UC Irvine Santa Ana Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This federally supported clinic provides comprehensive primary care to underserved communities, giving residents first-hand experience addressing the social determinants of health in a real-world setting. Residents build meaningful, lasting connections with the communities they serve while gaining skills to advocate for health equity throughout their careers. Photo: “Greetings from Santa Ana” mural by artist Lalo Cota, celebrating the cultural identity and resilience of the local community. Credit: Eric Lindberg and Travel Santa Ana. Core Components Advocacy Residents receive training in equity-based advocacy through modules like STFM’s Leading Change and Academic Family Medicine Advocacy. They engage with professional organizations such as OC CAFP and participate in activities like writing op-eds, attending policy meetings and submitting resolutions. Key advocacy experiences include: OC CAFP quarterly meetings Legislative Advocacy Day in Sacramento All Member Advocacy Meeting (AMAM) By the end of residency, each participant will have written and submitted advocacy pieces and attended at least one major advocacy event. Community Engagement PRIME residents collaborate with local organizations to address health disparities and promote cultural connection. Service-Learning Projects (SLPs) are central to this effort, allowing residents to work alongside PRIME-LC medical students on community-based initiatives. Partner organizations include: GREEN-MPNA: Offers mentorship and health education opportunities. LGBTQ Center OC: Hosts workshops on health and wellness in the current political climate. Residents commit to at least 15 hours of community engagement annually, building sustained relationships and contributing to meaningful change Mentorship Mentorship is a cornerstone of PRIME. Residents are trained in mentorship principles and paired with PRIME-LC students and other aspiring healthcare professionals. They also connect with the UC Irvine Latino Physician Group and Family Medicine faculty mentors. Mentorship activities include: Guiding students through SLPs Participating in “PRIME to PRIME” initiatives Attending mixers and mentorship workshops The goal is to empower mentees to navigate educational pathways and become agents of change in healthcare. Program Elements Curriculum Structure PRIME integrates seamlessly into residency training through: Quarterly PRIME Meetings: For reflection, planning and collaboration. HSA Lecture Series: Focused on health systems, advocacy and cultural competency. Elective Time: Residents dedicate one full elective per year to PRIME activities. Language and Cultural Competency: Spanish proficiency is preferred, and residents are encouraged to attend cultural seminars. Integration and Collaboration PRIME thrives on collaboration across departments and community partners. Residents work closely with: PRIME-LC Medical Students: Joint projects and mentorship. GREEN-MPNA: Health education and youth mentorship. LGBTQ Center OC: Community workshops and outreach. UC Irvine Chicano Studies Program: Evening seminars on Latine health history and cultural practices. LMSA: Networking and mentorship opportunities. These partnerships enrich the resident experience and deepen their understanding of community needs. Participation and Expectations PRIME is open to second- and third-year Family Medicine residents, with opportunities for interns to engage in quarterly meetings. Participation may require a written statement of interest, and residents should be prepared to commit elective time to PRIME activities. Residents are expected to: Complete advocacy training and attend key events Engage in community projects and SLPs Mentor PRIME-LC students and others Participate in PRIME meetings and lectures Looking Ahead PRIME continues to grow, with future plans including: PRIME Academy Participation: Summer programs for pre-med students. Expanded Cultural Seminars: Through UC Irvine Chicano Studies. Stronger LMSA Collaboration: Including conference participation and mentorship. Faculty Development: To support mentorship and curriculum sustainability. Fostering a New Generation The PRIME Family Medicine Residency Track is a dynamic and impactful program that prepares residents to lead with empathy, advocate for systemic change and build lasting connections with the communities they serve. Through advocacy, engagement and mentorship, PRIME fosters a new generation of physicians who are not only skilled clinicians but also champions of health equity. Prime Leadership Betzy Salcedo, MD Co-Director John Billimek, PhD Scholarly Activities Community Engagement Katherine de Azambuja, MD Mentorship Shane Jones, MD Mentorship John Hann, MD Co-Director Anthony Nguyen, MD Community Engagement Susan Wang, MD Advocacy