Reza Hessabi, M.D.

 All the typical EM things: hiking, watching sports (futbol & football), losing in my fantasy football league. Outside of EM I try my best to educate myself about all the humanities subjects my medical education didn't (but should) cover: structural racism, LGBTQ health, colonialism, gentrification etc. I'm also a big console gamer, a recovering League of Legends player and a lover of shonen anime. My favorite hobby though is feeding the film nut inside me by listening to Scriptnotes or watching Lessons from the Screenplay.

Why did you choose UCLA for Residency?

It was clear from the beginning of my sub-I that UCLA was invested in creating a well-rounded EM physician. Practice sites in a variety of settings (academic at Reagan, county at Olive View, community at Antelope Valley) made it clear UCLA wanted to prepare its residents for anything. I also loved that there was so much elective time throughout the four years. There's always a debate about 3 vs 4 years, and the curriculum at UCLA made me feel like the fourth year will really help prepare me for filling my EM niche.

What is your favorite place to visit/thing(s) to do in/memory from living in LA? If you have never lived here before, what are you most excited about?

Too many good memories to count, but they range from outdoor movies in the summer to discovering hidden waterfalls on Malibu hikes. Having been away for four years in a place with seasons, I'm looking forward to the permanently sunny weather again.

What are your areas of interest within EM or future career plans?

Admin, Global health, public policy/community health