Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

    The Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is a county hospital complex in Torrance, which has been affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine since the 1960's. It serves a population of two million people that includes the broadest possible mix of ethnic and socio-economic groups. The total breadth of gastrointestinal diseases are diagnosed and treated at Harbor. The Pathology Department provides a major contribution to the clinical and research training of the fellows. Harbor has developed a strong Professional Staff Association which oversees an extensive research facility and a growing group practice among its faculty. Investigation into the mechanism of gastrointestinal disease is a major part of the Harbor program. The strengths at Harbor are the study of therapeutic biliary-pancreatic endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal motility disorders. Harbor-UCLA is a well-known referral center for therapeutic biliary and pancreatic endoscopy. Endoscopic ultrasound is extensively used to detect and stage small GI tumors, and to perform interventional procedures (e.g. pancreatic pseudocyst drainage). The GI Service at Harbor is also closely associated with Pediatric Gastroenterology which allows first-hand experience in a diagnosis and treatment of pediatric patients with GI disease. These ingredients make Harbor a highly unusual county hospital.