Celine Payne, MD
University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.
Celine grew up in Ben Lomond, CA, a small mountain town in the Santa Cruz foothills, and went on to study Molecular Environmental Biology at UC Berkeley. It was during her gap years after college that her path to medicine took shape. Through volunteer work supporting unhoused mothers during pregnancy and scribing in the ER, she discovered a passion for health equity and clinical medicine.
Celine grew up in Ben Lomond, CA, a small mountain town in the Santa Cruz foothills, and went on to study Molecular Environmental Biology at UC Berkeley. It was during her gap years after college that her path to medicine took shape. Through volunteer work supporting unhoused mothers during pregnancy and scribing in the ER, she discovered a passion for health equity and clinical medicine.
During medical school, Celine carried that commitment forward through her leadership with an organization called KiPOW!, where she brought health and nutrition education to 5th graders and their families in under-resourced schools. Her love of teaching extended into tutoring anatomy, leading POCUS electives, and serving as a peer mentor. These experiences drew her to primary care, where longitudinal patient relationships and the broad scope of family medicine offered a meaningful path toward more equitable community health. She is excited to deepen her training in abortion care, addiction medicine, chronic disease management, and medical education during residency.
Outside of the hospital, Celine can be found mountain biking, foraging mushrooms, or crafting, usually with her partner and dog Scooby close by.
Outside of the hospital, Celine can be found mountain biking, foraging mushrooms, or crafting, usually with her partner and dog Scooby close by.