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Representatives from the California Medicine Scholars Program at the California Health Professions Consortium conference in late October.
The academic year is off to a busy start across all four of the California Medicine Scholars Program Regional Hubs of Healthcare Opportunity. Recently, 38 California Medicine Scholars began the next leg of their academic journeys to medical school at four-year universities including CSU San Bernardino, CSU San Marcos, Fresno State, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego.
In addition to ongoing programming for the first cohort of California Medicine Scholars, regional hubs are also currently recruiting students for the second cohort. With approximately two more months left to go in the recruitment cycle, over 200 student applications have been completed or are in progress.
In late October, regional hub leads and staff, along with program administrators, had the opportunity to connect at the 2023 California Health Professions Consortium conference held in Sacramento. Dr. Ramón A. Hernandez from UC San Diego School of Medicine and Stephanie Huerta Alvarez, MPH from UCSF Fresno represented the California Medicine Scholars Program during a panel discussion focused on health career pathways. The closing keynote speaker for the conference was Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, MD, a staunch advocate of healthcare access in California and a champion of student pathway programs across the state including the California Medicine Scholars Program.
For more information and to stay updated, follow the California Medicine Scholars Program on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
The Region X team from UC San Diego School of Medicine presented Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula with a card featuring images and handwritten notes from the Region X California Medicine Scholars.
Recent Highlights from Each Regional Hub
Region X Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
On Saturday, October 14, UC San Diego School of Medicine hosted the 2nd Annual Community College Premedical Conference in partnership with the Region X California Medicine Scholars Program. Over 100 community college and transfer students attended the event, which included panels from current medical students and physicians, application workshops, and presentations on the path to medical school.
The Region X program team, California Medicine Scholars, and other attendees at the Community College Premedical Conference that took place at the UC San Diego School of Medicine in October.
SJV-MedBridge, San Joaquin Valley Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
In October, SJV-MedBridge, led by UCSF Fresno, received approval from Fresno State to provide California Medicine Scholars who transfer to the institution with access to early registration and priority enrollment until Spring 2026. Given the challenges that students can face in enrolling into impacted-courses, this agreement is crucial in promoting the success of SJV-MedBridge enrollees at the four-year institution.
On October 5, California Medicine Scholars at the SJV-MedBridge regional hub visited the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine to tour the campus, practice various medical activities at the CHSU-COM Simulation Center, and learn more about preparing for and applying to medical school.
Avenue M, Greater Northern California Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
Avenue M students had the opportunity to participate in the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference on Saturday, October 14, where they were able to engage in interactive workshops, learn from current professionals in the medical field, and network with admissions representatives and current medical students.
As part of recruitment for the second cohort of California Medicine Scholars, the Avenue M team from UC Davis School of Medicine spoke to students interested in a career in medicine at the UC Davis Pre-Health Conference.
Inland Empire Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity:
In September, the Inland Empire Regional Hub of Health Opportunity hosted an event at the UC Riverside School of Medicine to recognize the California Medicine Scholars at the regional hub who successfully transferred to a four-year institution. During the event, student keynote speakers presented on the volunteer and internship opportunities they engaged in during Academic Year 2022-23.
California Medicine Scholars at the Inland Empire regional hub receiving their certificates for completing the Future Physician Leaders Mentorship Program at an event hosted at the UC Riverside School of Medicine.
California Medicine Scholar Profile
Jessica de Laguna is a California Medicine Scholar in the AvenueM, Greater Northern California Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity. She is an ambitious student who embarked on her academic journey at American River College (ARC) and Sacramento City College (SCC), earning
her A.A. in Biology from ARC and a Certificate in Chemical Technology from SCC. She recently transferred to UC Davis, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science with an emphasis in Neuroscience. Dr. Dao, her chemistry professor at SCC, ignited her passion for medicine by introducing her to the world of medical research and guiding her to success. Dr. Dao's mentorship has enabled Jessica to become a lead researcher in a group dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease, setting her on a path to pursue an MD/Ph.D. program.
Jessica's journey has been strengthened by her counselor, Maristella Bacod, who ensured she stayed on course to achieve her academic goals. Maristella introduced her to MESA, which provided the invaluable resources and supportive community of tutoring, financial incentives, MCAT preparation, and assistance in finding scholarships and internships. Jessica's determination also led her to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Diversity in Medicine Club, where she met Dr. Diaz from the UC Davis School of Medicine. Dr. Diaz's encouragement solidified her aspirations of becoming a psychiatrist and physician-scientist, proving that unique and challenging medical career goals are attainable with the right support. Jessica is an inspiration for future medical professionals, showcasing the impact of dedicated mentors and support programs on a student's path to success in the medical field.
Regional Hub Staff Profile
Amanda De Lima Croft is the Program Coordinator and Advising Counselor of the San Joaquin Valley - MedBridge Program. She supports all community college to university pathway scholars. Prior to this position, Amanda served as a Wellness Specialist at UCSF Fresno and supported the campus in its various well-being efforts.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno and a Master of Arts in School Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services credential from Fresno Pacific University. As an immigrant, bi-lingual, first-generation college student, she knows first-hand the challenges students face when pursuing higher education. She hopes to support and empower students on their journey as they pursue their dreams.
CMSP Events and Workshops for Students
In this section, we provide a summary of recent CMSP events and workshops, as well as upcoming events and workshops.
Recent Events and Workshops
A Path to Practice: Medical Student Speaker Series featuring Mario Eusebio September 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Students spent an inspiring evening with our featured speaker, Mario Eusebio. Born in the Philippines and now a medical student at UCLA DGSOM's PRIME program, Mario's journey exemplifies resilience and determination. From community college to university to medical school, Mario's story is a testament to his hard work. During his community college years, he embraced the challenges, working multiple jobs while excelling in rigorous science courses. When Mario transferred to UC Berkeley, he engaged in various opportunities, including internships, peer advising, and program coordination, leaving a mark on the Biology Scholars Program and TransferMD at UC Berkeley.
A Path to Practice: Medical Student Speaker Series featuring Jonathan Ogbogu | October 5 at 1 p.m.
Jonathan, a dedicated first-year medical student at UC Riverside School of Medicine shared the lessons and experiences that have defined his journey to medical school, leaving students inspired and ready to embark on their path to success. Having earned his bachelor's degree in Biology from UC Riverside (UCR), Jonathan's dedication extended beyond his own academic pursuits. He served as a peer mentor for ten undergraduate students in UCR's Medical Scholars Program, guiding and inspiring the next generation of aspiring medical professionals.
Building a Strong Resume and Cover Letter | October 11 at 2 p.m.
This workshop was designed for community college students seeking employment and/or internship opportunities. Participants learned the essentials of resume and cover letter writing, including what employers look for, tailoring materials for specific job postings, and common mistakes to avoid. Participants left with the skills and knowledge to create compelling and effective job application materials. This workshop was a valuable opportunity for community college students to gain a competitive edge in the job market.
November 13, 2023, 1 - 2:00 p.m.
Navigating the Interview: A Community College Guide
This workshop teaches students how to prepare for job and internship interviews. Participants will learn about the interview process, making a strong first impression, answering common interview questions, and avoiding common mistakes. By the end of the workshop, students will have a clear understanding of what to expect in an interview, how to present themselves, and how to communicate their qualifications and experiences effectively. This workshop is a valuable opportunity for community college students to gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the job and internship search process.
Other Resources to Share with Students
CMSP has curated a collection of valuable resources that can support students on their journey to medical school. We encourage you to share these resources with students.
Health Career Connections (HCC) is a comprehensive program that empowers undergraduate students and recent graduates to choose and successfully pursue health careers, provides real-world exposure and experience through paid internships, and builds the next generation of diverse health leaders and professionals. The 2024 Summer Program Application is now open and students can apply here! This is an opportunity for students to explore health careers and advance health equity in their communities! The deadline
to apply is December 11, 2023.
PremedCC is a free online resource that provides information and support to pre-medical students. Their mission is to help pre-medical students succeed in their academic and professional endeavors by offering a variety of resources, including articles, videos, and podcasts, on topics such as the medical school application process, MCAT preparation, and career planning.
Research and Data
Research, data, and evaluation are important to the California Medicine Scholars Program to ensure that we are not only capturing the successes of this program but also continuing to improve based on current information.
Research Spotlight
In this article, the authors consider holistic admission practices, specifically in light of recent changes in the legal landscape. They highlight prior research that demonstrates the promise of holistic admission practices, including increases in diversity among medical school matriculants, as well as increases in student retention. The authors also advocate for additional strategies that can promote diversity in the health workforce, and as a result, help patients improve their
health.
Assessing the Impact of a 6-Year Health Sciences Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Minority Youth on Healthcare Workforce Diversity, Career Path, and Public Health
The authors of this qualitative study interviewed students who participated in a high school health sciences mentoring and enrichment program in New York for underrepresented minority youth to understand the impact of the program on their academic and career paths. The article presents a myriad of themes that arose from the interviews, including developing a sense of self, perception changes, and development of professional and interpersonal skills, among many others.
In the News
In case you missed them, here are a few recent links highlighting our work
Capitol Weekly: Training high school and community college students to be nurses and other health workers
California Health Care Foundation: Sowing the Seeds of a Diverse Health Care Workforce
California Health Sciences University: SJV-MedBridge Partnership with Local Medical Schools Answers Call to Raise Doctors for Valley Patients
This publication is written and developed by Jessica Garcia and Sos Nazaryan, with support from the Foundation for California Community Colleges Communications team. To learn more about the California Medicine Scholars Program, please visit our website. For more information contact us at: info@california-medicine.org.