Medical Education’s New Initiative Issues “ZOTbooks” to Third-Year Medical Students

Medical Education leaders Warren Wiechmann, MD, Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin, MD, MEd, Dean Michael J. Stamos, and Julie Youm, PhD, launch the ZOTbook Inititative, issuing MacBook Neos, branded as “ZOTbooks,” to third-year medical students.  

In a new initiative by the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s Medical Education program, approximately 115 third-year medical students received new MacBook Neos, branded as “ZOTbooks.”

"UC Irvine School of Medicine has launched the ZOTbook initiative to put MacBook Neos in the hands of third-year medical students to support patient care and clinical learning opportunities,” says Julie Youm, PhD, associate dean of education compliance and quality and director of educational technology at the School of Medicine.

The MacBook Neo, released in March 2026, is Apple’s all-new MacBook featuring a durable aluminum design, a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, Apple silicon-powered performance and all-day battery life. 

As third-year medical students enter the clinical phase of the curriculum, the MacBook Neo will provide them with access to the electronic medical record (EMR) — a digital version of a patient’s paper chart — and clinical resources during their rotations.

"The ZOTbook initiative ensures every third-year medical student has consistent, secure access to clinical information and educational resources,” says Warren Wiechmann, MD, senior associate dean of curricular affairs. “It's a practical solution to the challenges in today's clinical learning environment and another example of UC Irvine School of Medicine's commitment to using technology to enhance education and better prepare tomorrow's physicians."

As an Apple Distinguished School for six consecutive cycles between 2012–26, UC Irvine School of Medicine continues to prioritize innovation in learning, teaching and the education environment. Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to connect students to the world, fuel creativity, deepen collaboration and make learning personal.