Recent Highlights from Each Regional Hub

CMSP AvenueM: On Tuesday, January 28, the CMSP AvenueM team welcomed their third cohort of students at orientation! After a successful recruitment season, 50 of 142 applicants were selected for admission to the program. During orientation, the CMSP AvenueM students introduced themselves to each other and the team by connecting over shared interests and schools. The CMSP AvenueM team is excited to welcome their new students, and are especially excited to meet them in-person during the CMSP AvenueM Summer Immersion programming starting in May!

On Wednesday, January 22, CMSP AvenueM held the Second Annual Mentorship Dinner at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine campus. The team welcomed their Cohort 2 students and their assigned mentor for a night of networking and dinner. Attendees were joined by Mentor California, a Sacramento-based partner who shared relationship building best practices with our mentors and mentees. At the conclusion of the event, the mentors and mentees participated in a Pinning Ceremony to commence the new mentor-mentee relationship. In the coming months, Mentor California will host regular virtual workshops for both mentors and mentees to leverage their relationships effectively!

CMSP Inland Empire team had the wonderful opportunity to bring in a panel of Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 CMSP scholars who shared more about their personal experience. It was a great event, and the team is excited to kick off the year providing valuable resources for scholars.

Sawaya took the stage to lead an engaging workshop on mentorship. Through their session, they guided students in identifying strategies to find and cultivate meaningful mentor relationships and identify their core values—an essential component of a successful journey in medicine.

The CMSP Region X team and students were inspired to see their scholars stepping into leadership roles, sharing their knowledge, and uplifting others on the path to medical school. The team looks forward to witnessing their continued growth as they contribute to the future of healthcare!

On Saturday, February 22, CMSP Region X proudly welcomed their newest cohort of 53 CMSP scholars at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. These outstanding students represent all nine community colleges across San Diego and Imperial Counties, marking another step forward in our mission to diversify and strengthen the healthcare workforce.  

CMSP Region X’s orientation is designed not only for their scholars but also for their families. They understand the vital role that loved ones play in a student’s journey, so we hosted a special program tailored to them. With over 160 RSVPs, the morning was filled with inspiration, community-building, and valuable resources to support our scholars.

CMSP Region X team is honored to have medical students from University of California, San Diego joining us to share their experiences and insights, along with Ashley Cooper from the University of California Office of the President. Additionally, they are excited to share that Senator Weber Pierson, MD’s office will be recognizing CMSP Region X, further underscoring the impact and importance of our work.

Stay tuned for more updates as they continue to support their scholars on their path to medical school and beyond!  

CMSP SJV-MedBridge: Welcome back, everyone! The CMSP San Joaquin Valley - MedBridge (CMSP SJV-MedBridge) team is excited to share some exciting updates with you. 

The CMSP SJV-MedBridge team is thrilled to welcome Margarita Gonzalez and Melissa Kent to the CMSP SJV-MedBridge program within the Office of Health Career Pathways (OHCP)! 

Margarita Gonzalez joins as a Program Development Coordinator, where she will play a key role in shaping and expanding program initiatives. Her work will focus on enhancing curriculum offerings, strengthening data collection processes, and refining existing program structures. Additionally, she will contribute to several key projects, including SJV Mentoring to Medicine, helping to create new opportunities for students.

Melissa Kent steps into the role of Program Coordinator and Advising Counselor, providing essential support and guidance to students. While her primary focus will be one-on-one advising and student engagement, she will also help advance our curriculum and training offerings as the program continues to grow.

Their expertise, passion, and dedication will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our program. Please join us in giving Margarita and Melissa a warm welcome and get to know them by checking out their staff highlights below!

In addition to expanding their team, the CMSP SJV-MedBridge team is excited to welcome their third cohort, which includes 56 students from across the valley. Last month, students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of volunteer experiences and engage in a medical student panel as part of a collaborative session with our Program in Medical Education (PRIME) Time group. Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for two major events: the annual Reaching Out to Aspiring Doctors (ROAD) Conference and our summer program, SJV Mentoring to Medicine. We can’t wait to share more details soon!

Stay tuned for more updates and, as always, thank you for being part of the CMSP SJV-MedBridge community!

California Medicine Scholar Profile

and career-changer students, they connected with Sophia, who introduced them to the CMSP AvenueM program. After learning more, they were excited to apply and felt fortunate to be accepted into Cohort 2.

Being part of CMSP AvenueM has been a game-changer for David. They have gained invaluable insight into the medical school application process, access to academic resources for prerequisite classes, and a supportive community dedicated to their success. The summer immersion was a turning point for David which allowed them to network with doctors at University of California, Davis and the medical school staff was incredibly motivating and helped solidify their decision to pursue a career in medicine.

Regional Hub Staff Profile 

Valley region as they navigate the academic complexities of higher education within the healthcare pathway. Her unwavering commitment to provide equitable counseling services and support for disproportionately impacted students is what fuels her purpose in education. Melissa has over 20 years of experience with counseling students in K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Prior to her work in education, she was a journalist at a local news station.

A Fresno native and former first-generation college student, Melissa’s roots run deep in the Central Valley—she graduated from schools all within the city of Fresno (Hoover High School, Fresno City College, Fresno State, and Fresno Pacific University), and most recently spent the past 11 years counseling at her alma mater, Fresno City College (Go Rams!). Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in her daughter’s school, watching documentaries and sporting events with her husband, trips to the beach, and cheering on her beloved Los Angeles Dodgers (2024 World Series Champions!).

Knights Landing, where she helped cultivate meaningful practices in student mentorship initiatives.

Outside of work, Margarita enjoys trying new recipes, going on walks, and reading. She is looking forward to getting to know and work with everyone on the team!

Central Office Staff Highlight

graphics, and presentations while connecting with local partners to provide development opportunities for youth. She also has experience with facilitated workshops and online programming. Previously, at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, they served as a Program Coordinator for the Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (DHSI) Education: Promotoras Critical Scholars, where she built student activities, coordinated professional development, and maintained organizational systems. In earlier roles, she worked as a College Access Advisor with Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR Up) Humboldt, where she developed college-related workshops and events, and as an Academic Success Specialist, focusing on retention rates and creating academic resources. She is an advocate of brave spaces in education and has been working in student support roles for the majority of her professional career.

Michelle is assisting in coordination of three programs at the Foundation for California Community Colleges: CMSP (50%), California Law (25%), and Health Care Access and Information Wellness Coaches (25%). Her role in CMSP includes administrative tasks, event planning, organization, invoices, and collaboration with others.

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.

National Rainbow College Fund: The National Rainbow College Fund (NRCF) offers scholarships to support LGBTQ+ students pursuing higher education, whether they are publicly "out" or not. For the 2025–2026 academic year, NRCF will award up to $500,000 in scholarships, with each recipient receiving $2,500. These funds can be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and other educational expenses. The application period closes on March 5, 2025. Eligible applicants must identify as LGBTQ+, have lived in California for at least one year, demonstrate financial need, and plan to enroll in at least 6 units at an accredited public or nonprofit community college, four-year university, or trade/vocational school in the United States.

The "Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan": Brought to you by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), this plan is a comprehensive toolkit designed to help families, especially those with undocumented or mixed immigration status, prepare for emergencies. It offers guidance on creating childcare plans, exploring immigration options, understanding legal rights, and organizing essential documents. The toolkit emphasizes the importance of proactive planning to reduce stress during unexpected situations. For more information and to access the toolkit, visit the ILRC website.

California Food Assistance Program: The California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provides food benefits to low-income non-citizens who do not qualify for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known as CalFresh in California. Starting June 1, 2025, CFAP will expand to include all income-eligible non-citizens, regardless of immigration status. This change aims to increase food security for California residents who face barriers to federal nutrition assistance.

Data and Evaluation 

Research Spotlight

Student Experience Report – 2024 Academic Year
The recently released report from the California Cradle-to-Career System, California Education Lab at University of California, Davis, and California Student Aid Commission presents results from a survey completed by over 11,000 graduating high schools in California. The report highlights key insights around college preparation, post-secondary plans, college expectations, and the financial aid process. One of the primary themes was the significance of high school counselors, teachers, and staff as invaluable resources for post-secondary enrollment, particularly for students from first-generation backgrounds. 

2024 FACTS: Applicants and Matriculants Data
Last month, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) released the 2024 edition of the FACTS data on U.S. medical school applicants and matriculants. In total, 6,700 students from California applied to enter medical school in 2024, representing 12.9 percent of all applicants across the United States. Of all California applicants, a total of 2,825 matriculated to medical school–representing approximately 42.2 percent of all applicants from the state. 

This publication is written and developed by Kiana Devereaux and Michelle Grace, 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.