As a resident, you'll have a chance to serve the unique healthcare needs of the medically underserved in our community.

Loma Linda University Health commits resources to understanding and addressing health disparity issues facing our patients today. The people we serve make up a diverse population with varied needs, so challenges and opportunities abound.

Your work will help reduce the prevalence of health disparities both locally and nationwide.

Quick Facts

26%
Families in poverty in San Bernardino
44%
Single mothers with children in poverty
22%
County residents born outside the U.S.

See the City You Serve Tour

Residents Boarding Tour Bus for See The City You Serve

The "See the City You Serve" tour offers a glimpse of the social determinants that influence health disparities in our area. Your first day of residency orientation takes you on this guided tour of San Bernardino County. You'll get to experience the community firsthand and gain a better understanding of the people you'll serve.

Health Disparities Research Concentration

Residents have the opportunity to participate in the Health Disparities Research Concentration, which is crafted to fit your specific department and residency program. In the concentration, residents will:

  • Gain a better understanding of where and how their patients live.
  • Learn research approaches that take into account causes of health disparities.
  • Use strategies that improve physical and mental health outcomes.
  • Collaborate with faculty on a health disparity research project.

Residents are immersed in an intercultural curriculum, including case-based learning in four key areas.

  • Cultural diversity: acknowledge diversity in race/ethnicity and religion and develop intercultural and empathic communication.
  • Health literacy: read, understand and act on health care information using the teach back method.
  • Social determinants of health: understand the economic and social conditions of the population you serve.
  • Unconscious bias: become aware of your biases in providing healthcare.
"I want to be involved in giving back to an underserved community, like San Bernardino. My goal is to serve as both a teacher and mentor within the community."

Resident Research Completed

Culture and Cervical Cancer Screening among Latina and Anglo American Women in Southern California

Culture and Cervical Cancer Screening among Latina and Anglo American Women in Southern California

Resident: Dr. Melissa Arbar
Program: Preventive Medicine
Completed: June 2020
Type 2 Diabetes and Food Insecurity in San Bernardino County

Type 2 Diabetes and Food Insecurity in San Bernardino County

Resident: Dr. Jeremy Clay
Program: Family Medicine - Preventive Medicine
Completed: June 2020
Food security status in children with diabetic ketoacidosis in the pediatric intensive care unit

Food security status in children with diabetic ketoacidosis in the pediatric intensive care unit

Resident: Dr. Francesca Farinacci
Program: Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Completed: June 2020
Breaking Through Unconscious Bias in Healthcare: The Long-term Impact of Employing Evidence-Based Bias Reduction Strategies

Breaking Through Unconscious Bias in Healthcare: The Long-term Impact of Employing Evidence-Based Bias Reduction Strategies

Resident: Dr. Grant Hayes
Program: Preventive Medicine
Completed: May 2019
Addressing Unconscious Bias among Medical Students: A Qualitative Analysis of Employing Bias Reduction Strategies

Addressing Unconscious Bias among Medical Students: A Qualitative Analysis of Employing Bias Reduction Strategies

Resident: Dr. Leah Humann
Program: Preventive Medicine
Completed: May 2019
Social Determinants of Health as Predictors of Asthma Related ED Visits and Hospitalization

Social Determinants of Health as Predictors of Asthma Related ED Visits and Hospitalization

Residents: Dr. Sandeep Nayak and Dr. Dan Pham
Program: Internal Medicine
Completed: January 2019