In a recent ceremony for the third annual Outstanding Leadership Awards in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Assemblymember Sarah Reyes honored Adriana Padilla, MD, director of undergraduate medical education for the University of California, San Francisco, Fresno Medical Education Program (UCSF Fresno) for her work in the field of medical education.
Padilla’s program, called Model Fresno, offers medical students clinical clerkships in the Central Valley. UCSF Fresno trains approximately 100 third year and 200 fourth year medical students annually. The program offers medical students opportunities to experience rural health programs firsthand—programs not readily found in larger, urban medical centers. To prepare for rural health issues, students are immersed in practical yet vital issues like learning the Spanish language and in traveling to rural medical clinics. “Under Dr. Padilla’s leadership, Model Fresno has become a top choice for medical students seeking clerkships,” said Deborah Stewart, MD, associate dean for UCSF School of Medicine at UCSF Fresno. “We are thrilled that she has received this special award.”
The Hispanic Heritage Awards are given each year to leaders in a number of professional fields including non-profit organizations, law enforcement, small business owners, legal and justice departments, and community volunteers. The awards’ conference also recognizes and pays special tribute to outstanding members of the community. This year’s special tribute award was given to Nancy Marquez, former executive director of Arte Americas.
Photos of Adriana Padilla, MD available upon request. Interviews with Dr. Padilla can be arranged by calling Cara Peracchi Douglas at 559.243.3606.
