Doctors Academy introduces youth to health care
The Doctors Academy is growing with students from across the Valley, including its recent expansion to include Selma and Caruthers high schools and even some middle schools.
The program, which is run by UCSF Fresno, provides disadvantaged youth with guidance and new opportunities that will help them get into medical school, or other health-related professions. Dr. Kathy Flores is the director at UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, and is very proud of the service the program provides.
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| Dr. Kathy Flores |
One aspect of the Doctors Academy program is students get to shadow medical professionals like Mary Ghaffari, a pharmacist at Community Regional.
“I'm here to help students to gain insights to all the different areas of health care professions,” Ghaffari said. “A lot of students don't know exactly what they want to do. If the student has an interest in pharmacy, or other professions, I can try to collaborate with another professional so they get exposed to the other professions.”
Dr. Flores believes in the importance of placing these students with mentors who love their jobs. “So that [Doctors Academy students] can say, ‘I want to do what they do, and I want to give back to my community…to make a difference in somebody’s life.’”
Once the students complete the Doctors Academy, and at the end of their medical education, the hope is that these students will return to the Valley as health care professionals.
This story was reported special by Clare Frederick. She can be reached at MedWatchToday@communitymedical.org.