HUNDREDS VIE TO BECOME VALLEY’S NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

FRESNO – The UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research will host its sixth annual Medical Mania event on Saturday, August 25 from 8 am to noon at the Satellite Student Union (2485 E. San Ramon) on the California State University, Fresno campus. This year's theme is "Medical Idol: The Search for the Valley's Doctors,” which is a spin on the popular television show “American Idol.”

Medical Mania, an event for students in the educational pipeline programs sponsored by the UCSF Fresno Latino Center, provides a forum for young people to explore careers in health and medicine. Hundreds of students, their parents, health professionals, and medical students and residents are expected to participate.

The event will kick off with a “Medical Idol” skit led by Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy alumni, which will feature mock contestants competing for medical school admission. Three new pipeline programs also will be announced. The rest of the morning will feature workshops, guest speakers, hands-on activities and interactive presentations on health careers, college preparation and medical school admissions.

Sessions include:

  • “Public Health 93720,” facilitated by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health
  • “Disease Detectives,” a medical investigation for middle school students led by pediatrician Cesar Vazquez
  • “Any Given Sunday,” a workshop on sports medicine careers by an NFL sideline physician
  • “Aspiring Docs,” featuring online resources for medical school-bound students provided by the American Association of Medical Colleges

Visual opportunities: “Medical Idol” skit; Reserve Officers’ Training Corps nurse instructing students in nursing skills; panel of local physicians; parent and student workshops; Doctors Academy alumni in pink scrubs

Event Details:

8:00 AM                       Registration, Satellite Student Union

8:30 AM                       “Medical Idol: The Search for the Valley’s Doctors
                                     Magnus Chann, Doctors Academy alumnus and Master of Ceremonies

9:00 AM                       Welcome and Introduction of New Pipeline Programs
                                     Katherine A. Flores, MD, Director, UCSF Fresno Latino Center

9:15 AM                       Conclusion of “Medical Idol” skit

9:30 AM                       Break

9:45 – 10:30 AM          Workshops, Science 2 building

10:45 – 11:30 AM         Workshops, Science 2 building

For more information, please contact Cassandra Gomez at (559) 241-7673.