Physician Residency Frequently Asked Questions

As a relatively small-sized residency, residents at UCI are afforded considerably more one-on-one attention than at other programs. This creates an environment of collegiality and camaraderie. Residents are thus treated as integral parts of the workplace and are respected for their ability to contribute to the academic culture. They are encouraged to take charge of their learning and to devise a customized approach to training. Our faculty are also enthusiastic about teaching and strive to foster a residency that limits non-educational activity while promoting intellectual inquiry.

UCI Radiation Oncology prides itself on collegiality, camaraderie and a culture of teamwork. While knowledge can be imparted and clinical skills taught, emotional intelligence represents a totally different set of attributes ranging from self-awareness to empathy and respect for others. Simply stated, we are looking for nice, well-balanced people who can positively contribute to making our residency a better place for everybody!

UCI Medical Center sits in the middle of Orange County, one of the most diverse regions in the entire nation. Patients from all backgrounds and walks of life visit the Department of Radiation Oncology daily. It is not uncommon to hear different languages in the waiting areas. Fortunately, the translational services at UCI are outstanding and make everybody feel welcome. As the main safety net healthcare provider for Orange County, UCI Medical Center also takes particular pride in serving the county's many diverse and often underserved populations, and opportunities for residents to engage in outreach and education are abundant. With the opening of the second hospital in Irvine-Newport, UCI Radiation Oncology looks to expand clinical services to an entirely new region of coastal Orange County.

The Department has undergone a radical change since 2018. Most faculty members are new and have completely “bought in” to making UCI Radiation Oncology a top program. The growth that has occurred over the last six years, with respect to faculty recruitment, staff hiring and patient volume, has been unprecedented. With continued expansion and increasing investment, the department is fully expected to grow further in the upcoming years. This will undoubtedly create more exciting opportunities for residents to learn and to develop their careers.

The new medical center, spanning nearly 800,00 square feet, will include a 144-bed acute care facility, ambulatory care center and cancer center. It is expected that fantastic new learning opportunities will be provided due to the increased volume of patients expected. In addition, the new hospital will feature “the latest and greatest” technologies, which will expose trainees to newer techniques of treatment. 

Further, the location of the site on the undergraduate campus will allow for more seamless interaction between residents who are interested in basic, translational and/or health services research with award-winning investigators currently residing at UCI. Lastly, the proximity to the UCI Research Park, home to a large number of leading businesses from startups to industry giants, will create more opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

The boards pass rate has been a perfect 100% for all graduates since 2019. We go to great lengths to ensure that residents are prepared and confident pursuing board certification.

Residents have entered a variety of different practice settings after training. Some have chosen careers in academic medicine, others have entered community-based or private practice. The program is supportive of residents regardless of career ambitions. Our faculty routinely place phone calls to potential employers to advocate for residents who are seeking specific jobs. Nearly all continue to stay in touch with UCI.

Residents are given a six to 12-month continuous block to pursue research projects under the direction of a faculty supervisor during the PGY-4 year. Additional time may be provided depending on the progress of the research and the resident’s career aspirations. It is expected that residents prepare at least one original manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Extremely. The program prides itself on fostering a welcoming, collegial environment. Each faculty member maintains an open-door policy. Faculty participation in educational activities is consistently high, and 100% attendance is maintained for conferences such as journal clubs, resident case presentations, chart rounds and quality improvement series. Additionally, opportunities for residents and faculty to socialize present themselves regularly throughout the year. Several of the faculty have hosted events at their homes.

Yes, there is an organized curriculum of formal didactics, led by faculty. Lectures are divided into approximately two-month clinical blocks (by disease site) that review the entirety of what is covered by the ABR board examinations. The clinical oncology lectures cycle through each of the main sites yearly, alternating between more introductory and more advanced topics, so residents cover each site completely twice during their 48 months of training. In addition, the first month of didactics covers general topics meant to help the transitioning resident hit the ground running.

A variety of teaching styles are implemented at UCI. Different faculty have different styles. If the Socratic Method is used, it is always good-natured and benign, with the intention of challenging residents to “think on their feet” and creating a more pro-active educational environment. The faculty are all friendly folks, but they are also serious about their educational responsibilities. They genuinely enjoy educating residents and strive to help residents become more confident in their knowledge base and their professional obligations. Teaching for the purpose of degrading or embarrassing residents is never tolerated.

An annual, full eight section mock oral boards simulation takes place over a half-day at UCI, during which residents are tested in a manner consistent with their year of training. Additionally, the American College of Radiology’s In-Training examinations and the standardized Raphex/Rabex tests are used to evaluate knowledge base from year to year. To assess clinical competency and professionalism, the program uses 360-degree evaluations to obtain feedback from staff to help residents improve. End of rotation evaluations are also conducted, and one-on-one feedback is regularly provided. At the conclusion of each two-month didactic block (disease-based), the faculty moderator will typically organize a mock oral boards session for all residents.

Yes, didactics in such topics as health care economics, finance and reform are integrated into our highly popular Chair’s Seminar. Included in this series are three lectures devoted exclusively to the Affordable Care Act. Residents are also provided instruction on contracts, negotiations and billing.

A robust physics and radiation biology curriculum is in place. Each are divided into continuous six-month blocks, with two hours each week (typically on Tuesday afternoons). Our UCI faculty physicists and radiation biologists organize and teach the courses. The syllabi are designed to ensure that all of the topics on the ABR board examinations are covered comprehensively.

Residents cover one typical attending on a rotation. There are rare instances when a resident may be assigned a double-covered service, but with only two research intensive faculty with part-time clinical services. Care is taken to ensure that scheduling conflicts are avoided. Elective rotations in dosimetry, radiology, pathology, medical oncology and surgical oncology are available.

Residents gain the bulk of their clinical experience at the primary training site, UCI Medical Center in Orange. They also rotate at the Long Beach VA Medical Center (approximately a 25-minute drive) as well as at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Temporary housing is arranged by the program for residents during their time at Rady's.

No, the program has a strict “no cross coverage” policy. When a resident is out for vacation or medical leave, other residents do not need to cover that service. All faculty are expected to function independently, and most in fact are not covered by a resident for the majority of the academic year.

When residents rotate at UCI, they take one week-long blocks of outpatient call from Monday to Sunday. Call is divided evenly among the residents working at UCI, limiting on-call periods to every four weeks or longer. 

The Radiation Oncology Program ascribes to the University of California vacation policy. Please visit the UCI School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residents & Fellows Salary, Benefits, Policies webpage for current information.

GME benefits & salaries WEBpage

The benefits and salary for the residency program are in accordance with University of California policies. Please visit the UCI School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residents & Fellows Salary, Benefits, Policies webpage for current information.

GME benefits & salaries WEBpage

We follow the University of California parental leave policy, in accordance with FMLA. Please visit the UCI School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residents & Fellows Salary, Benefits, Policies webpage for current information.

GME benefits & salaries WEBpage

Yes, many additional resources are available. Please visit the UCI School of Medicine Graduate Medical Education (GME) Residents & Fellows Salary, Benefits, Policies webpage for more information.

GME benefits & salaries WEBpage

Most residents live within an easy drive of the UCI Medical Center, which is located at the intersection of the cities of Orange, Anaheim and Irvine. For those not wanting to drive, a wide range of apartments and condominium complexes are situated within walking distance to the hospital. Some residents have chosen to live in these over the years.

By all accounts, the residents at UCI are a tight-knit group. They work hard, but also play hard — and lifelong friendships are formed as a result. Outside of work, they enjoy exploring the diverse array of restaurants in Orange County, hiking some of the best trails in Southern California and attending sporting events together.

Absolutely. We recognize that work-life balance starts with creating a culture where people are encouraged to be themselves and where individuals are respected for what makes them unique. Whether it’s spending time with family or nurturing personal interests, life outside of the workplace is to be celebrated.

While the work being done at UCI is exceptionally important, we also ascribe to the age-old adage that “you are your own most important patient.” As a result, an incredible amount of emphasis is placed on resident wellness. We also recognize that faculty need to lead by example. And fortunately, our physicians are not just brilliant clinicians and scientists, but more importantly, amazing people with very cool lives outside of work. Just to share a few tidbits: Dr. Simon is an amazing surfer, Dr. Harris makes a mean cocktail, Dr. Healy is a Disney theme park commando and Dr. Chen has a passion for animal (beagle) rescue!

Despite its well-earned reputation as one of the most family-friendly and safest communities in the nation, Orange County is a lively and fun place to live. There is something for everybody. Whether it’s dining out, spending time out in nature, enjoying the arts, listening to live music, exploring art galleries or taking in a sporting event, Orange County abounds with cultural, culinary and entertainment options. For those interested in day trips, such iconic sites as Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Big Bear Lake, Santa Barbara and the wine country of Temecula, are just a short drive away. In the winters, Orange County might be one of the few places on Earth where it is possible to ski and surf on the very same day!

With both located approximately three miles from UCI Medical Center in Orange, this is a perpetual source of debate among faculty and staff. Depending on who you ask, the answer might vary — but both, in our eyes, are worthy of the price of admission. Just don’t forget your Mickey Mouse ears!

We acknowledge it’s been a long time since the Angels won it all (2002), but Angel Stadium, a short walk away from UCI Medical Center, is consistently rated as one of the nicest places to see a baseball game. And if baseball isn’t your thing, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League never fail to sport a hard-hitting, scrappy team on the ice at the “Duck Pond” next door. By car, the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams and Chargers are all about an hour drive away. Of note, UCI was also the proud sponsor of the 2020 Super Bowl Champions, Los Angeles Rams. Each summer, the Rams hold their training camp on the UCI campus for the public to see.

While most of the faculty and residents are outdoorsy types who enjoy being out in nature, this is definitely not a prerequisite for joining the residency. For those water-sport enthusiasts, however, Orange County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Whether it’s surfing or just simply putting your toes in the sand, the beaches here create the "Endless Summer” vibe that helps make living here so exceptionally unique. Just ask us which ones are our favorites!

Given our location between Los Angeles and San Diego, the climate is warm and sunny year-round. Unfortunately, Southern California is amidst an unprecedented drought. While the rain might appear a few times a year, it is certainly hoped that it ramps up in volume and frequency.

UCI Medical Center is located in Orange, approximately 10 miles from the Orange County-John Wayne International Airport. Other airports in the vicinity include Los Angeles International (LAX), Long Beach International (LGB) and Ontario International (ONT) Airports. The Anaheim Train Station is also located a short distance away from UCI Medical Center and provides service up and down the west coast. A train ride to Los Angeles (45 minutes) or San Diego (2 hours) is a great way to enjoy the scenic Southern California coast.

Gosh, this is a tough one and totally depends on one’s interests. Disney aside, popular sights for tourists include Laguna Beach (bohemian and artsy), Newport Beach (bougee and upscale), San Clemente (laidback and sleepy) and Crystal Cove (amazing hikes and views of the Pacific Ocean). The Anaheim Packing District is a fun place to explore a variety of different food venues in a hip, converted old warehouse. Anaheim is also home to dozens of breweries of all types (Golden Road, Karl Strauss, Ballast Point, etc.). The Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Costa Mesa) is considered one of the most important performing arts venues on the West Coast. Lastly, for history lovers, Yorba Linda is home to the official Richard (“I am not a crook”) Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, which offers a fascinating portrayal of the 39th President of the United States.