“The Doctor Academy class of 2010 is comprised of many amazing individuals who have much
to be proud of, including completing multiple Honors and Advanced Placement courses,
participation in three DA summer programs and involvement in a variety of extra‐curricular and
leadership activities.” said Katherine A. Flores, MD, director of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center
for Medical Education and Research and founder of the Doctors Academy.
All of the Doctors Academy graduates will attend college in the fall. Nine of the 32 graduating
students will attend California State University, Fresno; 19 will attend University of California; 3
will attend a college or university outside of California, including Clark Atlanta University, Bates
College, and The University of North Florida; and 1 graduate will attend California State
University, San Francisco.
Four 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,” stated Dr.
Flores.
In addition to the UCSF School of Medicine’s recognition, five Doctor Academy students will be
granted similar awards from UCSF’s Schools of Pharmacy and Dentistry. Three students will be
awarded the UCSF School of Pharmacy Early Conditional Acceptance Program (ECAP) Award
which grants special consideration for admission into the school based upon the successful
completion of its admission requirements.
Mitra Assemi, PharmD, Program Director of the UCSF Fresno Pharmacy Education Program
(PEP) said, “The Doctor's 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 UCSF School of Dentistry Pre‐Dental Scholars Award will be bestowed to two Doctor
Academy graduates. The program offers Academy students special consideration to be granted
an interview for the UCSF School of Dentistry upon completion of undergraduate course work
and admission requirements.
"The UCSF School of Dentistry looks forward to our partnership with the Fresno Doctor's
Academy, and to the opportunity to introduce its California Central Valley students to the world
of dentistry and the oral and craniofacial sciences. We welcome them to the health professions
in the hope that many will someday return to meet the tremendous need for care among the
Valley's critically underserved populations," said James C. Betbeze, Director of Admissions for the UCSF School of Dentistry.
Community sponsors will also award scholarships, including the Nursing Care in Schools, Pre‐ Med Scholarship from the Anesthesia Consultants of Fresno, and the Clark Jones Latino Health Scholars Program. Doctors Academy Awards Night Event Details:
When: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Where: Sunnyside High School,1019 S. Peach Avenue (corner of Peach & Kings Canyon) Performing Arts Theater
Time: 5:45 pm – 7:30 pm
Who: 450 people – Family members, friends, and graduates along with guests from partner institutions, Fresno Unified School District, Fresno County Office of Education, UC San Francisco Medical Education Program and California State University, Fresno Background:
The UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, in partnership with Fresno Unified School District and Fresno County Office of Education started the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy in 1999 as a pilot program to encourage disadvantaged students to focus on careers in health and medicine. A Junior Doctors Academy Program was established in 2000 to encourage and support students earlier in their academic career as middle school students. The Doctors Academy program has grown in popularity and scope in the past ten years. In 2007, the Doctors Academy program was implemented at Caruthers High School and Selma High School. The Sunnyside Doctors Academy Program currently has 152 students enrolled. The UCSF Fresno Latino Center continues to support and work closely with Fresno Unified School District to sustain this program at Sunnyside High School and provide health career opportunities for those qualifying students. In 2009, the Latino Center partnered with California State University, Fresno by re‐establishing the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) with the College of Science and Mathematics. Currently, over 100 students are enrolled in the program. For more information about the Doctors Academy or the other health profession programs of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, please contact Bertha Dominguez, Education Director at 559‐241‐7670 or email at [email protected]
