At just 20 years old, Joslyn Conchas is already on a clear path toward becoming a physician.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Human Biology from University of California, Merced next year, she will continue her training through the San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education+ (SJV PRIME+) and complete the full UCSF School of Medicine curriculum in the San Joaquin Valley.
“I don’t see myself in any other field other than medicine and being a physician; I know I was meant for this,” said Conchas. “It’s freeing to know I have people who want me to succeed and will help me.”
The path to becoming a physician is often long and demanding, but Conchas feels confident knowing she has support every step of the way as an SJV PRIME+ student.
After earning a bachelor of science, she will complete the first year and a half of the UCSF School of Medicine coursework at UC Merced, followed by two and a half years of clinical rotations at the UCSF School of Medicine Regional Campus at Fresno (UCSF Fresno). She will then apply for medical residency.
SJV PRIME+ is the first BS-to-MD program in the San Joaquin Valley. Developed through a partnership between UC Merced, the UCSF School of Medicine, and UCSF Fresno, the program recruits high school graduates from across the region and trains them entirely within the Valley. The goal is to prepare a new generation of physicians who come from the communities they serve and understand the region’s unique health challenges.
Conchas is one of six children in her family and the first to pursue a career in medicine. A Fresno native, she attended Sunnyside High School where she participated in the Doctors Academy.
“My grandpa was really sick and was in and out of the hospital. I want to help people going through the same challenges I did. I want to be a part of the change and improve health care,” said Conchas.
In 2023,15 students, including Conchas, were accepted into the inaugural SJV PRIME+ cohort. Since then, the program has admitted 15 students each year. When fully scaled, SJV PRIME+ will enroll up to 60 baccalaureate students across cohorts.
“Together, UCSF, UCSF Fresno, and UC Merced are uniquely positioned to transform medical education in the San Joaquin Valley, uniting top-tier biomedical research, a mission-driven approach to health care, and deep regional ties to train the next generation of doctors and health leaders who reflect and serve their communities," said Margo Vener, MD, MPH, Chair and Assistant Dean of Medical Education at UC Merced and Professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine at UCSF.
The San Joaquin Valley faces one of the most severe physician shortages in the nation and has among the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in the country. Many Valley communities experience significant health disparities, with life expectancy in some areas up to 20 years shorter than in other parts of California.
Vener emphasized that strong internal support from UC Merced leadership, faculty, and staff – through teaching, mentorship, outreach, and advocacy – is essential to the program’s success and to improving health outcomes across the Valley.
“Research shows that physicians are most likely to practice where they complete their training ‒making it essential to educate and train future doctors here. By cultivating a locally rooted medical workforce, SJV PRIME+ directly addresses this critical shortage and improves access to care for Valley residents,” said Vener.
Since 1975, UCSF – one of the country’s top-ranked medical schools – has played a central role in expanding medical education in the San Joaquin Valley through UCSF Fresno, now the largest physician training program between Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Building on this legacy, UCSF partnered with UC Merced, a university nationally recognized for innovation, inclusive excellence, and strong support for first-generation college students.
Once Conchas completes her education under the SJV PRIME+ program, she will be an SJV PRIME medical student with medical rotations at UCSF Fresno.
“The existence and excellence of this program is a testament to the vision of the educational leaders at UCSF, UCSF Fresno, and UC Merced and to the vision and dedication of the students who have chosen this path to serve their communities in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Loren Alving, MD, SJV PRIME director. “We are excited to welcome them to our campus and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with our other campuses as we work toward expansion of the program in the future.”
For Conchas, the program makes a long-held dream feel within reach. She says SJV PRIME+ makes the journey to becoming a doctor more attainable through consistent faculty guidance and the close support of her cohort.
“I can’t even describe it in words. Sometimes I can’t believe I actually have conditional acceptance into medical school,” said Conchas. “It’s nice to know I’m doing what I want to do.”
She hopes to begin residency within five years and become a practicing physician before the age of 30 – serving patients in the San Joaquin Valley.
San Joaquin Valley-based high school students, who are interested in the opportunity to begin their pursuit of an MD degree at UC Merced can apply to the SJV PRIME+ program starting October 1, by selecting UC Merced and a qualifying major on their University of California application.
Applicants will also need to submit a supplemental application by the first Friday of December. SJV PRIME+ BS/MD is designed for high school students who are committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the unique needs of the San Joaquin Valley.
