High school students in Central Valley are introduced to medical professions via Doctor's Academy program.
In the heart of California, Fresno plays host to an inspiring initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of medical practitioners. One such student is Juana Gomez, an incoming senior at Sunnyside High School, who is part of the Doctors Academy program.
The Doctors Academy is a four-year commitment for high school students, with a structured five-week summer component each year. This comprehensive program, a collaboration between Kaiser Permanente Fresno and UCSF Fresno, exposes students to all parts of the medical field.
Juana's passion for helping others was sparked by her family's work in the medical field. With a dream to attend medical school and become a primary care physician, she is making the most of this unique opportunity.
The program offers career guidance, allowing students to clarify their career goals within the medical field. Juana, who initially expressed an interest in oncology, has decided to pursue primary care after gaining more experience.
The Doctors Academy provides students with opportunities to learn from experienced healthcare professionals, such as Dr. Vivian Torio, who serves as a Physician Mentor for the program. This year, eight students from the program were given the opportunity to learn from doctors at Kaiser Permanente Fresno.
By the end of the program, students are empowered to make informed decisions about their future educational and professional paths. This includes preparing them for college and medical school. This year, 65 students from the Doctors Academy were placed in different Central California hospitals.
Juana's dedication is evident as she connects with patients and helps them during tough times. Her goal is to give back to her community, ensuring that future doctors are from the local community, thereby enhancing healthcare delivery and cultural understanding.
Dr. Torio emphasises the need to provide pathways for future medical practitioners, and the Doctors Academy is a significant step in achieving this goal. The program's ultimate aim is to create a network of healthcare professionals who are deeply rooted in the community they serve, fostering a culture of compassionate and effective healthcare delivery in Fresno, California.
Through the Doctors Academy program in Fresno, Juana Gomez, a high school student, is taking a significant step towards her personal growth and education-and-self-development, pursuing a career in medicine with the goal of becoming a primary care physician. The program, a collaboration between Kaiser Permanente Fresno and UCSF Fresno, allows her to learn from experienced healthcare professionals like Dr. Vivian Torio, and offers career guidance that helps her clarify her career goals. By the end of the program, she will be better prepared for her future educational and professional paths, leading to her fulfilment of her dream of giving back to her community and enhancing healthcare delivery and cultural understanding within it.
