PHYSICIAN EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH (PEPH)
Previously called Public Health Education for Physicians (PHEP)
Overview
The LA County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) Physician Experience in Public Health (PEPH) program facilitates public health rotations exclusively for physicians-in-training (residents and fellows, PGY-1 or higher).
PEPH rotations can be arranged within various LAC DPH programs and are tailored to meet the needs of the physician-in-training. While the standard rotation duration is typically one month, shorter or longer durations may be considered. Rotation opportunities are contingent upon preceptor availability.
Important: The PEPH is an elective rotation and does not provide academic credit. LAC DPH has no physician residency programs. For information on graduate medical education residency programs in LAC Department of Health services (DHS), see websites for
LAC+USC;
Olive View-UCLA;
Harbor-UCLA;
and
Rancho Los Amigos.
Interested in a PEPH Rotation?
If you are a current physician in training (PGY-1 or higher), please submit a
PEPH Interest Application.
For further information, please email
PEPH@ph.lacounty.gov.
Interested in Public Health but Not Eligible for PEPH?
We welcome your interest in public health! While PEPH is reserved for current physicians in training (PGY-1 or higher), there are other ways to engage with public health.
- Gain hands-on experience. Visit the
DPH Internship & Volunteer page to learn about:
- Volunteer opportunities (open to physicians, students, and community members interested in serving LA County)
- Academic internships (available to students currently enrolled in a university or medical school).
- Explore physician jobs opportunities. If you are a physician interested in a career in public health, visit the DPH
Physician Employment page.
- Learn about public health. If you are a medical student, we may be able to organize a one-hour overview for your class or a group of students from your school. Email us at
PEPH@ph.lacounty.gov.
Public Health vs. Personal Health
-- What's the Difference?
Personal health (also called healthcare services) focuses on diagnosing and treating individual patients while public health focuses on protecting and promoting the health of entire populations.
LAC DPH works to protect and improve the health and well-being of all 10 million county residents through a variety of programs, community partnerships, and services. While functionally independent, as one of LAC's three separate health departments, DPH works also with the
Department of Health services and the
Department of Mental Health to streamline access for those who need services from more than one department or specialty area, and through coordinated efforts to address the County's most pressing health issues.
