Anchored by its flagship facility—the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles—UCLA Health is widely recognized as one of the most clinically comprehensive and technologically advanced academic health systems in the world.
Consistently ranked on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll and celebrated across dozens of sub-specialties, UCLA Health integrates world-class clinical research from the David Geffen School of Medicine with a dedicated focus on patient-centered care.
Among its diverse clinical capabilities, two distinct divisions define its global reputation: solid organ and tissue transplantation and precision oncology through the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
1. World-Renowned Organ Transplantation Programs
UCLA Health operates one of the oldest, largest, and most successful multi-organ transplant networks globally. Having performed tens of thousands of life-saving procedures, UCLA is an established referral center for complex adult and pediatric cases deemed inoperable elsewhere.
UCLA Organ Transplantation Programs
┌─────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────┐
│ Thoracic Transplants │ Abdominal Transplants │ Reconstructive & Rare │
├─────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────┤
│ • Heart transplantation │ • High-volume liver │ • Hand & face vascular │
│ • Heart-lung combined │ • Kidney & paired-chain │ composite allografts │
│ • Complex lung failure │ • Intestinal/pancreatic │ • Bone marrow & stem-cell│
└─────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┘
High-Volume Clinical Excellence and Innovation
- Heart Transplantation:The UCLA Adult and Pediatric Heart Transplant Programs consistently surpass national volume benchmarks while maintaining superior post-transplant survival rates. UCLA is a pioneer in mechanical circulatory support (LVADs) and artificial heart technologies used as bridges to transplant.
- Liver & Multivisceral Care: The Dumont-UCLA Liver Transplant Center is one of the most experienced liver centers in the Western United States. UCLA was a pioneer in split-liver procedures, living-donor transplants, and pediatric intestinal transplants.
- Kidney & Paired-Exchange Chains:UCLA’s Kidney Transplant Program delivers elite graft survival metrics and specializes in highly sensitized recipients through advanced desensitization and paired kidney exchange programs.
- Vascular Composite Allografts (VCA):UCLA surgeons performed some of the earliest hand and face transplants in the western United States, pushing the boundaries of reconstructive microvascular surgery.
2. Advanced Oncology at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) is an international powerhouse in translational oncology.
Translational Oncology Engine
┌──────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────┐
│ Genetic Sequencing & │ ── Target Discovery>│ Early-Phase Clinical │
│ Molecular Diagnostics│ │ Trial Networks │
└──────────────────────┘ └──────────────────────┘
│
Targeted Therapy
│
▼
┌──────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────┐
│ Improved Long-Term │ <── Bedside Care ── │ Next-Generation │
│ Patient Survival │ │ Immunotherapies │
└──────────────────────┘ └──────────────────────┘
Targeted Therapies and Landmark Discoveries
Researchers at UCLA have led development and clinical trials for several transformative cancer therapies used globally today:
- Herceptin (Trastuzumab): UCLA oncologist Dr. Dennis Slamon discovered that targeting the HER2 gene alteration could effectively halt aggressive breast cancers, establishing modern targeted molecular oncology.
- Keytruda (Pembrolizumab): UCLA investigators led critical early clinical trials demonstrating the power of PD-1 checkpoint inhibition, revolutionizing the treatment of melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and other solid tumors.
- Cellular Immunotherapy (CAR T): Developing next-generation multi-antigen-targeted CAR T-cell therapies for hematologic malignancies and solid brain tumors like glioblastoma.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinics
Oncology care at UCLA is structured into specialized Disease Site Groups. A patient diagnosed with cancer is evaluated by a unified team of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and genetic counselors who formulate a tailored treatment plan.
3. The Patient Experience: Designed for Healing and Comfort
UCLA Health emphasizes a care model where medical technology is balanced with human comfort and compassionate communication.
┌────────────────────────┐ ┌────────────────────────┐ ┌────────────────────────┐
│ Evidence-Based Healing │ ───> │ Dedicated Patient │ ───> │ Specialized Integrative│
│ Architecture (Pei) │ │ Advocacy & PFAC Panels │ │ Support Programs │
└────────────────────────┘ └────────────────────────┘ └────────────────────────┘
Purpose-Built Healing Architecture
Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center was built around the concept of evidence-based architectural design:
- Abundant Natural Light: Floor-to-ceiling windows in every patient room maximize natural sunlight, which clinical studies link to faster recovery and reduced delirium.
- Private Rooms with Family Space: All 520 inpatient rooms are 100% private, featuring dedicated daybeds and workspaces for family members to stay bedside 24/7.
- Acoustic Dampening: High-performance soundproofing materials reduce hallway noise and clinical alarms to facilitate undisturbed rest.
Comprehensive Patient Support Services
- People-Animal Connection (PAC): A renowned animal-assisted therapy program where certified therapy dogs visit hospitalized patients to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology: Provides cancer patients and families with free psychological counseling, nutritional guidance, mindfulness workshops, and psychiatric support.
- Dedicated Patient Advocates: Full-time liaisons available around the clock to facilitate communication, resolve care concerns, and support families during complex hospitalizations.
4. Specialty Performance Snapshot
| Clinical Division | Core Specialization | Benchmark Distinction |
| Transplant Services | Heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, intestine, and multi-organ transplants. | High-volume surgical center with survival rates consistently exceeding national benchmarks. |
| Cancer Care (JCCC) | CAR T-cell therapies, molecular targeted drugs, advanced robotic oncologic resections. | NCI-designated Comprehensive Center; pioneer of Herceptin and Keytruda. |
| Neurology & Neurosurgery | Awake craniotomies, stroke thrombectomy, laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT). | Consistently ranked among the top 10 neuroscience programs nationwide. |
| Pediatrics (Mattel) | Congenital heart repairs, pediatric oncology, neonatal intensive care. | UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital is a designated regional quaternary referral hub. |
5. Global Patient Access & International Services
For patients traveling from outside Southern California or from abroad, the UCLA Health International Services department acts as a dedicated concierge bridge:
- Remote Second Opinions: International patients can submit diagnostic scans and pathology records online for review by UCLA sub-specialists.
- End-to-End Care Coordination: Multilingual coordinators assist with medical appointment scheduling, expedited visa letters, airport transfers, and local hotel accommodations.
- Culturally Sensitive Services: Dedicated dietary options, prayer spaces, and medical interpreters in dozens of languages ensure smooth, culturally respectful care.
Summary
UCLA Health Medical Center distinguishes itself through an integrated approach to high-stakes medicine:
- Pioneering Transplantation: One of the nation’s highest-volume transplant centers for thoracic and abdominal organs with elite graft survival metrics.
- Translational Oncology: An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center responsible for major targeted cancer drug breakthroughs.
- Human-Centered Facility Design:Private patient rooms with natural light, integrated family accommodations, and specialized support programs.
By uniting world-class research with compassionate care, UCLA Health remains a leading destination for complex medical solutions and specialized therapies.