Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH

Eric Esrailian, MD, MPH

Eric Esrailian is a physician, Emmy-nominated film producer, entrepreneur, and he is actively involved in philanthropic efforts connecting health, human rights, education, and the arts. 

He is the Chief of the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. In addition to disease areas within gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Esrailian has a particular interest in the development of biomedical innovations, value in health care, medical education, initiatives towards patient-centered care, and connections between health and human rights.

He produced The Promise by Terry George, starring Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale.  He also produced the educational companion documentary Intent to Destroy with Joe Berlinger — which was nominated for an Outstanding Historical Documentary Emmy. These films, and the accompanying social impact campaigns, drew unprecedented attention to the Armenian Genocide, contributed to U.S. government recognition of the historical facts, and led to the creation of The Promise Institute for Human Rights and The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA. In 2019, Esrailian and his partners at Forgotten Man Films launched Somm TV — a new streaming service with original series, films, and master classes dedicated to wine and food. 

He is actively involved in the leadership of several philanthropic organizations including, but not limited to, the Board of Directors of the Hammer Museum, the Board of Governors of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the Board of Trustees of The Center for Early Education, the Executive Board of the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, and the Board of Directors for XPRIZE.

In 2012, the School of Medicine awarded him the Lincy Foundation Chair in Clinical Gastroenterology. He is closely involved in strategic planning efforts for the UCLA Health, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and for the entire university. He also works to facilitate community engagement with a number of other schools and departments within the UCLA campus and its Los Angeles community partners, and he was on the UCLA campus steering committee for the Centennial Campaign. In 2017, the university designated Esrailian as a UCLA Optimist -- among its notable alumni and faculty dedicated to solving the world’s problems.