UCSF Fresno Latino Center Holds Leadership Conference for Future Health Care Professionals

FRESNO – The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research (LaCMER) will host its fall 2015 Health Education and Leadership (HEaL) Conference on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, from 8 am to 2 pm at the California State University, Fresno Satellite Student Union. More than 650 people are expected to attend, including students, parents, community and health professionals, medical residents and practicing physicians.

The HEaL Conference is for all parents and students participating in UCSF- LaCMER health professions pipeline programs, including the Junior Doctors Academy (JDA), high school Doctors Academy (DA) programs and Health Career Opportunities Program (HCOP) at Fresno State. The biannual event is made possible by support from UCSF School of Medicine, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, Fresno State, Kaiser Permanente Fresno, and Caruthers, Fresno and Selma unified school districts.

The primary aim of the UCSF-LaCMER pipeline programs is to prepare youth from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to enroll in health professions schools and to become healthcare providers for the medically underserved communities in the San Joaquin Valley. The conference complements the rigorous academic programs in place for JDA, DA and HCOP students.

The conference will feature a welcome from LaCMER Director Katherine A. Flores, MD, and Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro, PhD. Dr. Castro is a Valley native and has received numerous accolades for his service and dedication to education, policy, research and diversity issues. His passion and knowledge about the needs of the Valley’s diverse population will allow parents and students to learn how his role at Fresno State will provide a positive impact for students.

HEaL conference workshops offer attendees opportunities to learn about numerous health professions from representatives from various organizations and health professionals, including M. Alejandra Jaimes, MD; John Djabrayan, MD; Diana Oviedo-Cavazos, MD, and Michael Klug, MD, from Clinica Sierra Vista Residency Program; Shauna Miller, MSN, Fresno State HCOP and School of Nursing Program;

Teresa Burt, RN, and Marilee Vosper, RN, from American Ambulance; Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and others.

Agenda:

8:15 a.m.      Opening Address

Katherine Flores, MD, Director, UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research

Welcome Address

Joseph I. Castro, President, California State University, Fresno 9:00 a.m.                       

Dismissal to workshops

9:15 am – 12:15 p.m.     JDA and DA Parent/Student Workshops and HCOP Seminars

  • Mini-First Aid Course
  • CPR - Key Elements to Heart and CPR Demonstrations
  • To Save a Life: Blood Pressure Check
  • Inside Out: Discovering Our True Colors
  • Seamless Skill of Suturing
  • Preparing for a Career in Medicine
  • Allied Health Careers: Solutions to Serving the Community

For more information, please contact Dr. Flores at [email protected] or

Bertha A. Dominguez, MS, LaCMER Director of Education at [email protected] or (559) 241-7670.