Spotlights
Dr. Evelyn Curls, born and raised in Los Angeles, attended Harvard-Westlake, a private school in North Hollywood. Despite financial hurdles posed by the school’s tuition, a generous act from one of her father's clients made her attendance possible. This foundational experience in education propelled her to pursue a degree in Biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued her medical education and residency at UCLA, where she later stayed on to join the faculty. Dr. Curls worked as a full - time clinician for her first 5 years then transitioned into sharing her time between patient care and administration, culminating in her current position as Vice Chair of Ambulatory Medicine and Clinical Chief of GIM/HSR. Dr. Curls' desire to become a physician stemmed from childhood aspiration fueled by representation on television and her experiences as a teenage mother. She was inspired to see a person on TV who was an amazing, funny, and caring doctor, who also happened to look like her. She wanted to be that kind of physician who improved the lives of their patients and made a positive impact on their greater community, just like the character did. Dr. Curls' journey was not without challenges, encountering prejudice and substandard care from healthcare professionals due to her circumstance as a single teenage mother. These experiences solidified her commitment to providing compassionate and empathetic care, empowering patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey.
As a physician of color, her personal experiences navigating both educational and professional paths have deeply influenced her commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Leveraging her understanding of hurdles faced by underrepresented minority (URM) faculty members, she has successfully recruited the highest number of URM faculty across various regions within the Department of Medicine. In collaboration with the Office of Patient Experience, she has advocated for policy modifications to ensure immediate dismissal of patients exhibiting verbal abuse or discriminatory remarks based on race, sex, gender orientation, and disability. Her efforts to enhance inclusivity in patient care have led to significant improvements in how patients are accommodated with limited English proficiency. Through her role in the DOM Operations and in partnership with the Office of Language and Hospitality Services, they have identified and addressed operational barriers, enabling more effective communication and care delivery in patients’ preferred languages.
Dr. Curls finds fulfillment in delivering compassionate care to a diverse patient population, ensuring they feel valued, heard, and respected. She cherishes the privilege of sharing intimate moments with patients, and supporting them through life's highs and lows. In her administrative role, she drives systemic changes to improve healthcare delivery, ensuring patients, physicians, and staff feel valued, heard, and respected. Through her dedication to medicine and advocacy for EDI, Dr. Curls embodies the transformative impact a committed physician can have on both individual lives and broader healthcare systems.
