UCSF Fresno’s Latino Center’s Doctors Academy Program at Sunnyside High School encourages students to pursue careers in health care while becoming aware of the cultural climate involved with carrying out a successful career as a future health care professional. This summer, Kaiser Permanente Fresno joins forces with UCSF Fresno by providing funding for Doctors Academy students to take part in a six-week Spanish medical terminology course.
“This is critical,” said Katherine A. Flores, MD, director of UCSF Fresno’s Latino Center. “According to the 2000 US Census, approximately 32 percent of Fresno County residents speak Spanish at home.” The course is designed to foster culturally competent health care providers by teaching them to communicate medical terms in Spanish.
The mission of UCSF Fresno’s Latino Center is to increase the diversity of the health workforce in the Central Valley through educational pipeline programs such as the Doctor’s Academy. “Our success depends on the commitment of the community, and we are grateful to Kaiser Permanente for recognizing the importance of ‘growing’ our own future health care professionals,” said Flores.
The grant for the Spanish medical terminology course was awarded through the Kaiser Permanente Central California Community Benefits Program, which seeks to improve community health by addressing local priority needs. Kaiser also is covering the cost of lab coats and stethoscopes to be utilized by students during their summer internship programs and community service events.
“It is rewarding for Kaiser Permanente to be able to assist the work local organizations are doing to improve the health and safety of children and families,” said David DeButts, Kaiser Permanente Public Affairs Director.
For more information, please call Bertha Dominguez at (559) 241-7670.
