The UCSF Fresno Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy will celebrate its seventh graduating class tonight, Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
The Doctors Academy (DA) class of 2009 is comprised of many amazing individuals who have much to be proud of, including completing multiple honors and Advanced Placement courses, participating in three DA summer programs and involvement in a variety of extra-curricular and leadership activities.
“This year’s graduating class includes four Dell Scholars,” said Katherine A. Flores, MD, director of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, which oversees the Doctors Academy. “I am very proud of these students. Their dedication and hard- work is a reflection of their intent to be successful health care professionals. I look forward to their return to the Valley to provide needed health care services in a culturally competent fashion.”
The majority of the Doctors Academy graduates will attend college in the fall. Eleven of the 33 graduating students will attend California State University, Fresno. Twelve will attend University of California campuses. Seven will attend a private college or university including four who will attend Brown University and one who will enter Harvard University. Two students will attend a community college.
Five graduates will be awarded the UCSF School of Medicine Merit Award for their academic achievement, commitment in the program, and continued interest in a career in medicine.
The 2009 recipients of the following scholarships will be announced at this evening’s event: Nursing Care in Schools, Clark Jones Latino Health Scholars Program, UCSF School of Medicine Merit Scholar Award, and the Pre-Med Scholarship from the Anesthesia Consultants of Fresno.
Event Details:
When: Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Where: Sunnyside High School
1019 S. Peach Avenue (corner of Peach & Kings Canyon) Performing Arts Theater
Time: 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm
Who: 450 people – Family members, friends, and graduates along with guests from partner institutions, Fresno Unified School District, Fresno County Office of Education, UC San Francisco Medical Education Program and California State University, Fresno
Background:
The UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, in partnership with Fresno Unified School District and Fresno County Office of Education started the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy in 1999 as a pilot program to encourage disadvantaged students to focus on careers in health and medicine. A Junior Doctors Academy Program was established in 2000 to encourage and support students earlier in their academic career as middle school students. The Doctors Academy program has grown in popularity and scope in the past ten years. In 2007, the Doctors Academy program was implemented at Caruthers High School and Selma High
School. The Sunnyside Doctors Academy Program currently has 160 students enrolled. The UCSF Fresno Latino Center continues to support and work closely with Fresno Unified School District to sustain this program at Sunnyside High School and provide health career opportunities for qualifying students. For more information about the Doctors Academy Program or the graduation event, please contact Bertha Dominguez, Education Director at 559-241-7670.
