UCSF Fresno Doctors Academy Programs Celebrate Graduating Classes of 2025
The UCSF School of Medicine regional campus in Fresno (UCSF Fresno) is proud to announce the upcoming graduation of 52 students from its esteemed Doctors Academy programs, at Caruthers and Sunnyside high schools. Twenty-seven students will receive diplomas from the Caruthers High School program and 25 students will graduate from the Sunnyside High School program.
End-of-the-year events on May 20 at Sunnyside High School and May 22 at Caruthers High School will celebrate the achievements of both graduating classes and continuing students.
Fifty-two students – 100% of the graduating DA graduates - will continue their education at post-secondary institutions (92.31%) or will be enlisting in military service (7.69%) in the fall of 2025. Nearly 41% of the graduates will enter a University of California campus.
Recipients of the following awards will be recognized or announced:
UC Merced SJV PRIME+ (BS to MD) Acceptance
Four students secured acceptance into the SJV PRIME+ BS to MD pathway, a partnership among UC Merced, UCSF School of Medicine, and UCSF Fresno. Among hundreds of applicants, these four students will join the 15-student SJV PRIME+ cohort. Over 25% of the entering cohort are from UCSF Fresno Doctors Academy Programs.
President’s Volunteer Service Award: Recognizing exceptional volunteerism and its community impact, this award is open to seventh- to 12th-grade students who submit their annual community service hours. Learn more at: https://presidentialserviceawards.gov/
UCSF School of Medicine Merit Award: Recipients gain interview invitations with the UCSF School of Medicine Committee on Admissions, provided they maintain eligibility prerequisites, complete a college degree, and submit a full application.
UCSF School of Dentistry Merit Award: Similar to the School of Medicine award, recipients are invited for interviews with the UCSF School of Dentistry Committee on Admissions upon meeting specific criteria.
Bonnie Her, MD, a local Family Medicine physician at Community Health Partners, will present these awards at Sunnyside High School's event, while Veronica Ramirez, MD, a local Pediatric physician at Community Health Partners, will present at Caruthers High School.
Health Careers Connection (HCC) Merit: Recipients of the HCC merit will secure a paid health-focused internship locally during one summer of their college or postbaccalaureate years, enhancing their competitiveness for professional schools. Learn more at: https://www.healthcareers.org/
Representatives from Health Career Connection will present these awards at events held at Sunnyside and Caruthers high schools.
Westly Foundation Scholarship: In support of enriching opportunities for students, the Westly Foundation is generously funding a total of $12,000 in scholarships for Doctors Academy seniors. Twenty-four scholarships of $500 via a one-time donation for Doctors Academy students will be awarded, with 12 scholarships allocated per program site intended to cover college transition expenses. Learn more at: https://westly.org/
BACKGROUND:
The UCSF Fresno Office of Health Career Pathways (OHCP), formerly the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research (LaCMER), was restructured to include CMSP SJV-MedBridge, an outreach program focused on community college students. In 1999, in collaboration with Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) and Fresno County Office of Education, LaCMER initiated the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy to encourage educationally disadvantaged students to pursue careers in health and medicine.
OHCP aims to address the shortage of health care professionals in the San Joaquin Valley by developing individuals who will return to the region to provide care for the community. The Doctors Academy and Junior Doctors Academy programs prepare students for careers in health care, significantly boosting college readiness with a 100% college acceptance rate among graduates.
Currently, the Sunnyside High School Doctors Academy has 147 students enrolled while the Junior Doctors Academy serves 152 students at Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Terronez middle schools in FUSD. In 2007, the Doctors Academy program expanded to Caruthers High School with 124 students currently enrolled and, in 2014, to Caruthers Elementary School with 61 students enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year. OHCP remains committed to sustaining these programs and collaborating with Caruthers and FUSD to provide health career opportunities for admitted students. UCSF Fresno OHCP programming is currently funded 100% by contracts with local school districts and outside grants that support its mission to provide health pathway programs to San Joaquin Valley students.
For more information on health pathway programs offered through OHCP, please contact Stephanie Huerta Alvarez, OHCP Manager, at [email protected]
