Derjung Mimi Tarn

Dr. Derjung Mimi Tarn, MD, PhD is Professor of Family Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a practicing family physician at the Santa Monica Family Health Center. Board-certified in Family Medicine since 2002, she completed her residency at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, followed by NRSA Primary Care Research and UCLA STAR fellowships in 2005-2006. She is bilingual in English and Mandarin.

Education

• BS & MS in Biological Sciences, Stanford University
• MD, New York Medical College, 1999
• PhD in Health Services, UCLA, 2006
• UCLA STAR Fellowship & NRSA Primary Care Research Fellowship, 2005-2006
• Residency, Family Practice, Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, 2002
• Internship, Family Practice, Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, 2000

Research Focus

Dr. Tarn’s scholarship centers on improving primary-care delivery through rigorous mixed-methods research. She investigates physician-patient communication around prescription medications, determinants of medication adherence, and the role of preventive care in chronic disease management. Her recent work leverages telemedicine, digital health tools, and community-engaged research to reduce disparities among older adults and under-resourced populations.

Across 70+ peer-reviewed publications, common themes emerge: pragmatic clinical trials testing scalable interventions (e.g., tailored Medicare Annual Wellness Visits), systematic reviews on telehealth effectiveness for diabetes and hypertension, and qualitative exploration of patient perspectives on opioids, statins, and anticoagulants. Studies frequently integrate patient-reported outcomes and stakeholder engagement to ensure real-world applicability.

Honors & Awards

• Super Doctors Southern California – 2020, 2024, 2025
• PhRMA Foundation Value Assessment Challenge Award – 2015
• Distinguished Paper Award, STFM Spring Meeting – 2015
• Fellow, American Academy of Family Practice – 2013
• California Academy of Family Physicians Researcher of the Year – 2010
• NIH OBSSR Summer Institute Fellow – 2009
• STFM Best Paper Award Honorable Mention – 2008

Clinical & Hospital Affiliations

• Family Health Center, 1920 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA
• UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Dr. Tarn’s multidisciplinary expertise bridges clinical practice and health-services research, making her a leading voice in advancing equitable, patient-centered primary care.