FRESNO - The UCSF Fresno Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy (DA) will celebrate its 10th graduating class on Wednesday, May 23 from 5:45 to 7:30 pm in the Performing Arts Theater at Sunnyside High School (1019 S. Peach Ave.) in Fresno. More than 450 people are expected to attend.
All of the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy graduates will attend college in the fall. Nine (29 percent) of the 31 graduating students will attend California State University, Fresno. Twenty-one students (68 percent) will attend University of California campuses. One student is expected to enlist in the United States Air Force.
"I am incredibly proud of our Doctors Academy graduating class. These students have demonstrated on a regular basis the quest for excellence in and outside of the classroom. They also have given hundreds of hours in community service and are caring, compassionate young adults" said Sheryl Weaver, principal of Sunnyside High School. "I am particularly pleased to say that nine DA students are among our 20 valedictorians."
Several of the 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.
“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,” said Katherine A. Flores, MD, director of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and founder of the Doctors Academy.
In addition to the UCSF School of Medicine’s recognition, two Doctors Academy students will be granted similar awards from the UCSF School of Pharmacy. The “UCSF School of Pharmacy Early Conditional Acceptance Program Award” provides students with special consideration for an interview with the UCSF School of Pharmacy based on completion of successful undergraduate course work and admissions requirements.
Mitra Assemi, PharmD, director of the UCSF Fresno Pharmacy Education Program said, “The Doctors Academy and the UCSF School of Pharmacy are perfect partners. One passes the torch to the other. The Academy prepares Valley students for the potential of a career in health care. From there, our program opens the door to a career specifically in pharmacy.”
The Clark Jones Latino Health Scholars Program also will award a scholarship to a student who has excelled in academic achievement during their participation in the Doctors Academy.
