UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations

Welcome to UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations. The UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations team can help to identify the best sources for your stories about UCLA patient care, research and education. We also can help you find expert comment for breaking medical, science and health policy stories. The team has access to pager numbers, cell phones and assistants to help you reach the right people when you are on tight deadlines. Media relations officers also can provide complete logistical support for broadcast and photography shoots, and serve as field producers for video or radio interviews, and for video B-roll and photographs.

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Important Information for Journalists

News Releases and Advisories Media relations officers use e-mail and fax to distribute news releases, advisories and tip sheets about published research, new clinical programs, procedures and technology, and unique patient stories. Contact the office to add your name or news organization to our distribution list, or sign up online. Facts and Links to basic information about UCLA Health Systems facilities and links to detailed information about UCLA Health Sciences patient care, education and research programs. Patient condition reports The media relations staff provides general patient condition information within the limitations imposed by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A patient name is required. Release of detailed information or information about minors requires written consent of the parent, guardian or legal representative.  Patient Consent Any patient who will be interviewed, videotaped or photographed within a UCLA medical facility must first sign a UCLA-approved, HIPAA-compliant consent form. Media relations officers are authorized to obtain consent. Patient Privacy Patient privacy is a priority at UCLA's hospitals and clinics. All journalists must be escorted by a media relations officer when reporting inside any UCLA hospital, clinic or patient care facility. Media Escorts In order to protect patient confidentiality within federal HIPAA guidelines, members of the news media must be escorted by a member of the media relations staff while visiting UCLA hospitals and clinics, including UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, the Linda and Stewart Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA, and the UCLA Medical Plaza facilities. Directions and Parking The media relations team can provide specific directions and secure free campus parking for journalists. Maps and directions to UCLA hospitals and clinics in Westwood and to Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital are available online.