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The"Doctor Is In" 12.11.06  Photo: Diana Cantu On November 4, 2006 the University of California, San Francisco - Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research (LaCMER) hosted the second "Doctor Is In" mentoring event, which provided a unique "pipeline" opportunity for premedical students from the California State University, Fresno Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) and the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy (DA) to interact with medical students and physicians completing their residency at UCSF-Fresno. The LaCMER is a unit of the UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program which addresses the serious shortage of Latino physicians and other health care professionals in the area by preparing disadvantaged students to become health care providers who will ultimately return to the San Joaquin Valley to provide culturally competent health care services to the medically underserved. Over 50 students attended the "Doctor Is In" held at University Medical Center in Fresno, California. Students represented the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy, Fresno State Health Careers Opportunity Program and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. Eleven physician residents and practicing providers representing various specialties and disciplines took time out of their busy schedules to participate as mentors including Melissa Aguirre (pediatrics) MD, Christopher Bencomo (ob/gyn) MD, MPP, Julius Chang (pharmacy) PharmD, Jeffrey Chiu (pharmacy) PharmD, Gurdaver Dhaliwal (family practice) MD, Katie Goldsich (pediatrics) DO, Lynn Happel (surgery) MD, Yvonne Robles Love (psychology) PysD, Victor McCray (surgery) MD, Yessenia Rivera (medical student), and Ana Uranga (emergency medicine) MD. In addition, 10 medical students from the UCSF School of Medicine pilot program, PRIME – US were also able to join the event with their director, Elisabeth Wilson, MD, MPH. The students included Jaime Antuna (Fresno State alumni!), Mel Hayes, Ben Camacho, Bianca Watson, Meg Renik, Mary Montgomery, Jen Cameron, Ann Griego, Monica Hahn, and Dharushana Muthulingam. The UCSF PRIME – US program, a special new track providing a medical education experience concentrating on the care of urban underserved populations was visiting Fresno to explore our unique culture and learn about safety net access points in the medically underserved areas of Fresno County. The morning started with the providers introducing themselves and sharing a "show and tell" item important to their practice, which ranged from stethoscopes and prescription pads to more personal items such as an inspirational book used during challenging trials in medical school. After introductions, providers rotated through small roundtable groups talking to students, answering their questions and sharing experiences. The event ended with each provider sharing a piece of advice and encouragement for the premedical students. To ensure students wouldn't forget these words of wisdom, they all received prescription bottles (filled with candy!) with a personal "prescription for success" from a provider. Students gained an insight to the medical field and were able to learn from the experiences of medical professionals practicing in the Central Valley. Students were also given the providers' emails and were encouraged to contact them as needed.  |
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