University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
San Diego, CA, United States
Melanie Chuong is a third-year medical student at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and a member of the Students and Trainees Advocating for Resource Stewardship (STARs) program. She is deeply committed to value-based medicine and is passionate about advancing a healthcare system that prioritizes patient-centered, equitable, and cost-conscious care. Her interest in value-based care was shaped by years of community work and patient-facing roles, where she recognized how systemic inefficiencies and resource gaps directly affect patient outcomes.
She completed her B.S. in Biochemistry at UCLA, graduating magna cum laude with departmental honors. Her professional experience spans clinical research, patient advocacy, and medical education. As a STARs scholar and active member of the Health Value Lab, she has helped lead case-based discussions and curriculum sessions using realistic, fictional cases designed to teach core principles of high-value care to preclinical students. She also serves as a leader in the Human Rights Clinic and participates in harm reduction and cardiovascular outreach initiatives.
Her research interests include anesthesiology, hemodynamics, and medical education. Through the UCSD OPTIMUS/SPARK program, she served as both curriculum and research lead, helping to design and evaluate a near-peer mentorship model aimed at supporting high school students interested in health careers. Her current projects focus on integrating value-based medicine principles into early medical education to enhance students’ clinical reasoning and awareness of resource stewardship. Her work reflects a broader commitment to building systems that empower future clinicians and improve access to meaningful, high-quality care.
As a STARs scholar, she continues to explore ways to embed value into medical education and clinical care. She aims to build a career grounded in thoughtful, systems-based practice that not only treats disease but also addresses the broader structures influencing health.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2025
3:55 PM - 4:05 PM US Pacific Time