No images? Click here
Happy New Year! As we usher into 2024, we are thrilled to share some exciting updates from the California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP). This edition features various key highlights from the central office as well as other important and impactful updates from our very own regional hubs of healthcare opportunity that reflect the continuous growth of this program.
Second Cohort of California Community College Students Accepted into the California Medicine Scholars Program
UC Riverside CMSP scholars, inaugural cohort during their orientation in January 2023.
January 2024 marks another great milestone as we welcome the second cohort of California Medicine Scholars, a group of California community college students from across the state, who will begin their journey from community college to medical school. These students will be attending orientations at their respective programs to learn more about CMSP at their campus and the tools and resources they have available to succeed. As we expand and welcome new scholars to the CMSP community, we look forward to witnessing their achievements toward their goal of becoming doctors one day.
Meet Our Newest CMSP Team Members
Behind this program is a team committed and dedicated to the success of our CMSP scholars. We are proud to introduce two new additions to our group:
Liza Chu, Healthcare Workforce Education Policy Consultant
Liza is a Vietnamese-American personal development junkie, world citizen, and daughter. Born and raised in Stockton, CA, the migratory hub of many Southeast Asian families, she has developed a passion for addressing the major social justice issues of our time: access to educational and economic opportunities and building healthy pipelines for underserved communities.
Liza runs LNC Consulting, a civil rights policy and strategy firm. She also provides one-on-one coaching for individuals to live in alignment and joy with their values and goals.
Prior to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Liza worked in several industries, including startup management, the California legislature, and as a lobbyist for Asian Americans Advancing Justice – California, a non-profit partnership. Her lived experiences as a first-generation college graduate and small business owner have emphasized her love for living creatively and in service to others.
LisaMarie Turk, PhD, RN, CSSGB, Senior Research Consultant
Dr. LisaMarie Turk serves as the Senior Researcher and Research Design Architect Consultant for the California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP). As the founder and principal consultant of Nurveau LLC, Dr. Turk integrates healthcare, technology, and life sciences to enhance professional roles and organizational capabilities. Beginning her educational journey in the community college
system, she progressed from a practical nursing certificate to an associate degree in nursing, ultimately earning a doctorate with a focus on nursing, health services research, and health policy.
Dr. Turk's expertise, highlighted by her prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nursing and Health Policy Fellowship, centers on health policy, equity, and leadership. In her comprehensive role at CMSP, Dr. Turk specializes in large-scale data collection, storage, and analysis within education and healthcare settings. Her proficiency in advanced data analysis techniques such as multilevel modeling, social network analysis, machine learning, and AI tools, combined with a deep understanding of healthcare, health equity, and educational pathways, equips her to contribute significantly to the program's research strategy and design architecture. Her expertise is vital for both state and national-level initiatives, positioning Dr. Turk as a key contributor to the program's data analysis and research objectives.
Launch of Our Redesigned Website
Explore the fresh new look of our website! We have worked hard to make it user-friendly and packed with useful information about the California Medicine Scholars Program. Navigate through program details, application information, and stay updated on the latest news and events. We encourage you to check out the revamped site and enjoy a more engaging experience with our CMSP community.
Recent Highlights from Each Regional Hub
Avenue M, Greater Northern California Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
Cohort 1 students are about to begin an exciting mentorship journey, each matched with a mentor aligned with their professional interests, experiences, and specialty. Students and mentors are gathering together on January 10 for an evening of dinner, relationship building, and professional networking. Additionally, Avenue M is on the lookout for more mentors for Cohort 2 students! If you're eager to guide students in their healthcare journeys, please reach out to them at AvenueM@ucdavis.edu.
Inland Empire Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
The Inland Empire RHHO team at UC Riverside was busy actively recruiting for Cohort 2 this past Fall 2023. Their team successfully recruited over 60 students by leveraging multiple recruitment strategies. UCR CMSP staff engaged with students at Crafton Hills College during a transfer fair, and also participated in an informative undergraduate and masters pre-medicine student panel at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC). This provided SBVC students with the opportunity to ask questions and gain more insights into the California Medicine Scholars Program.
Johanna Navarrete and Lysdie Espinoza represented CMSP at a Chaffey College resource fair, connecting with students and sharing valuable information about the program.
Region X Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
Region X is expanding their community by recruiting passionate medical students to mentor their upcoming cohort of scholars. A heartfelt thank you from Region X to their current Medical Student Mentors, whose unwavering commitment and hard work have been pivotal in the success of their scholars. Their dedication has enriched learning experiences and significantly contributed to program growth. Their role in strengthening recruiting efforts, and showcasing the impact of medical student mentorship, attracted many community college students to apply to CMSP. Despite juggling medical school and other responsibilities, their ongoing efforts have made a positive impact on scholars' lives and careers. Region X is immensely grateful for their contributions and looks forward to positive developments in this next chapter of the program!
San Joaquin Valley Regional Hub of Healthcare Opportunity
The fall semester brought significant changes and hands-on experiences for SJV-MedBridge students, now part of the "College Pathways" division under the Office of Health Career Pathways at UCSF Fresno. This move has facilitated community college students' access to part-time jobs with the Doctors Academy program. The team also welcomed two new additions: Stephanie Huerta Alvarez, MPH, as Program Manager, and Paula Peterson, MA, PPS, as Coordinator/Advisor. Cohort 1 students received ongoing advising and engaged in diverse activities, including a tour of California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine, a "Medical Student for a Day" event, CPR certification training, and priority access to Health Career Connection internships. The virtual meet and greet on December 19, 2023, marked the welcome of SJV-Medbridge’s 2nd cohort, and they eagerly
anticipate hosting more enriching events in the upcoming spring, continuing their collaboration with valuable partners.
SJV-MedBridge student, Malik Evans, practicing CPR in an emergency room simulation setting at one of the program's partner sites, California Health Sciences University.
California Medicine Scholar Profile
Malik Evans is part of the SJV-MedBridge program and a Fresno native, born and raised in the Central Valley where he attends Fresno City College with a major in Biology. Since a young age, Evans has always wanted to become a doctor. Growing up, he realized helping people brought him the most happiness, so he knew he needed a career where
he could best serve people. As an underrepresented minority in medicine, Evans wants to help heal the Central Valley by striving to provide care for all who need it and also wants to become the first doctor in his family.
As someone who works at their local hospital, Community Medical Center, he has noticed first-hand how frustrating it can be to drive hours away from your home to receive treatment or for your insurance to be denied. Evans hopes to become a leader in reforming healthcare to give patients the care they need while helping his community. He aspires to become a neurosurgeon and plans to work diligently in research to gain the knowledge to help create cures for patients. This program has taught Evans avenues and perspectives about how he can provide medical assistance to the Central Valley and believes it will help create the next generation of future doctors in the region.
Regional Hub Staff Profile
Ana Guillen Lopez is the California Medicine Scholars Program Coordinator at UC Riverside, School of Medicine. In this role, Ana supports students from community college to four-year universities. Born and raised in the Inland Empire, Ana has a strong commitment to giving back to her community. As a first-generation college student, she strives to operate from a student-
focused and equity-minded perspective.
Ana holds an associate degree in liberal arts social and behavioral sciences from San Bernardino Valley College, a B.A. in Communicative Disorders with a minor in Race and Ethnics Studies from the University of Redlands, and an M.A. in Student Affairs and Educational Justice from Claremont Graduate University. In her free time, Ana enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local coffee shops, and checking out new and old art exhibits at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside, CA.
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
Navigating the Interview: A Community College Guide
November 13 at 1 p.m.
This workshop taught students how to prepare for job and internship interviews. Participants learned about the interview process, making a strong first impression, answering common interview questions, and avoiding common mistakes. By the end of the workshop, students had a clear understanding of what to expect in an interview, how to present themselves, and how to communicate their qualifications and experiences effectively.
A Path to Practice: Medical Student Speaker Series featuring Liliana Perez December 15 at 12 p.m.
Students were able to learn about Liliana Perez, a first-year medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine who was born and raised in low-income LA County. Liliana overcame numerous challenges to pursue higher education. Her journey from Los Angeles Harbor College to UCLA, where she earned her Bachelor's in Science, is a remarkable testament to grit and determination. Liliana's experience as an Emergency Medical Technician solidified her goal to become a physician who serves underserved communities.
A Path to Practice: Medical Student Speaker Series featuring Rajinder Dhesi
February 28, 2024, 12 - 1:00 p.m.
Join us for an inspiring workshop featuring Rajinder Dhesi, a trailblazing 4th-year medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Born and raised in Fresno, California, Rajinder is a first-generation Punjabi-American and college student. Having navigated her educational journey from Clovis Community College to earning her Bachelor's Degree at California State University, Fullerton, Rajinder is committed to bringing medical education and quality healthcare to underserved communities. As she pursues a career in primary care, Rajinder is eager to share her experiences and provide guidance to those on their own path to medicine.
California Medicine Scholars from the Region X Regional Hub attending a workshop on how to write personal statements.
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.
Community College League of California Scholarship 2024: In 2024, the Community College League of California will give 10 California community college students $1,000 scholarships in an inaugural distribution of awards. The scholarships are funded by the proceeds of the book "College for All Californians: A History of the California Community Colleges."
View the Scholarship Application and Criteria >
Aspiring Black Physicians Conference 2024: Pre-health students are invited to the second annual Aspiring Black Physicians Conference at the UC Davis School of Medicine, hosted by Imani Clinic in collaboration with UCD’s Health Professions Advising (HPA) and Kaiser Permanente. The conference, to be held on February 24, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the UC Davis Medical School campus, has the goal of supporting black pre-medical students on their paths towards healthcare careers! The theme of this year’s conference is “Building Bridges and Navigating Barriers.” Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
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
As part of this recently published article, the authors explored institutions’ practices aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by analyzing applications for an award that focuses on celebrating DEI in graduate medical education. Five broad themes were developed to encompass the various approaches that institutions leveraged to advance DEI: (1) organizational commitment to DEI, (2) data infrastructure for continuous program improvement,
(3) community connection, (4) diverse team engagement, and (5) systematic strategies for DEI support throughout the educational pathway. The authors caution that no one strategy is effective on its own, and in addition, note that sustained effort and action that go beyond DEI statements are essential to improvement.
For this 2023 article, the authors examined pathway programs in medical schools across the US to understand the status and association of these programs, as well as common characteristics of programs focused specifically on underrepresented in medicine (URiM) students. In total, the authors identified 658 pathway programs dedicated to K-12, undergraduate students, and/or recent graduates/post-baccalaureate students. Of this total, approximately 48 percent of programs focused specifically on URiM students. The authors found that programs that focused on URiM students were more likely to offer research opportunities, mentoring, and MCAT preparation.
In the News
In case you missed them, the following links highlight our work:
India Education Diary: UC San Diego: California Medicine Scholars Program Encourages Community College Students To Pursue Medicine
Foundation for California Community Colleges: California Invests in Medical Scholars Program to Help Address Growing Shortages in Healthcare
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.