UCSF Fresno was established in 1975 in recognition of the ongoing need to address the physician shortages and pressing health concerns in the San Joaquin Valley. As a regional campus of the UCSF School of Medicine, UCSF Fresno recruits and trains future physicians to address the unique health needs of the region’s diverse and underserved populations. Given the socio-economic challenges in the region, intentional programs are vital to help prepare Valley students for careers in medicine.
To help ensure there are enough highly qualified students available from the region, the UCSF Fresno Office of Health Career Pathways (OHCP) coordinates a variety of programs to help students from middle school through college prepare for careers as physicians and other health care roles. Established in 2022, and directed by Emy Lopez Phillips, EdD, the OHCP partners with local K-12 school districts, community colleges and four-year universities to offer programs that inspire and prepare Valley students for educational success and exploration of research and health careers. Student participants benefit from support systems that include enhanced curriculum, tailored advising, mentoring and other resources critical to their success.
“The young people in our Valley are full of hope and resilience. Many have a strong desire to give back to their communities,” said Dr. Lopez Phillips. “This is an exciting time as we at UCSF Fresno along with our partners have an opportunity to help lift and mentor the next generation.”
The following health career pathway programs are coordinated through the OHCP. While these programs are separate and distinct, they provide a seamless pathway for academic preparation and enrichment, preparing Valley students for entry into careers in medicine.
- San Joaquin Valley (SJV) – MedBridge supports community college students interested in becoming physicians.
- Doctors Academy serves middle school and high school students to help them prepare for college while learning about careers in health and medicine.
- Mini Med School gives high school and college students — as well as community members — the opportunity to learn about local trends in medicine and health sciences from faculty, residents, fellows and medical students at UCSF Fresno.
- Reaching Out to Aspiring Doctors (ROAD) Conference serves both pre-health students and educators from regional high schools, community colleges and four-year universities by providing resources for pursuing careers in health and medicine.
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Training equips college students and community members with knowledge and skills to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in adolescents.
- Raices (Roots) in the San Joaquin Valley, a grant-funded initiative by the Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative Project, enhances educational and technical support in health pathways to improve the student experience and create new opportunities for their success.
- SJV Mentoring to Medicine enhances the development of aspiring health professionals with roots in the San Joaquin Valley through mentorship and community engagement during the summer.
In addition to OHCP-managed programs, UCSF Fresno also offers the following pathways:
- Summer Biomedical Internship Program (SBI) matches high school students with faculty members to engage in research projects that enhance their understanding of biomedical sciences.
- Pre-Medical Surgical Internship Program helps prepare undergraduate pre-medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds to successfully enter medical school.
UCSF Fresno relies on grant funding and private donations to coordinate and maintain these impactful pathway programs. Additional support is needed to ensure their growth and sustainability. We invite you to join us in investing in the future of health care for the San Joaquin Valley. With a gift to the UCSF Fresno Office of Health Career Pathways, you become an essential partner in cultivating the next generation of health care leaders from diverse backgrounds who have the skills and passion to care for our region’s underserved communities.
For more information on how you can influence the future of medical education and health care in the San Joaquin Valley, please contact Kathleen Smith, UCSF Fresno associate director of development, at 559-499-6426 or [email protected].
