Diversity Hub

The Health Careers Opportunity Program is a partnership between the University of California, San Francisco Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research and California State University Fresno (Fresno State) to provide support to disadvantaged Fresno State students committed to becoming competitive applicants to health professional schools. Selected students engage in a structured program of academic enrichment and social support, preparing them for admission into health professional school. The ultimate goal is for these individuals to become healthcare professionals that will practice in the Central Valley, providing care to the medically underserved.

SNMA is committed to increasing the pipeline of students of color that consider and prepare for medical & scientific careers. Its community mentoring programs provide science appreciation and education, mentoring, and academic enrichment to students interested in pursuing health-related careers. At UCSF, SNMA provides academic preparation, recruitment and retention programming in order to assure the pipeline to medicine is supported.

Twenty high school students come to UCSF each summer to conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a scientist mentor. Program received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2011. This program is currently funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and the Baskin Family Foundation.

PROF-PATH (Promoting Research Opportunities Fully-Prospective Academics Transforming Health) is a research and academic career development program for health professions students funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. We train UCSF students from underrepresented in medicine (UIM) backgrounds regardless of research area focus, and students interested in health disparities research regardless of background. PROF-PATH provides funding, classes, mentorship, community, and opportunities for training for students from all four UCSF professional schools. Our goal is to help students make the most of the rich research and academic career development opportunities available at UCSF.

SACNAS (the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans in Science) at UCSF is a chapter of the National SACNAS Organization, whose mission is to promote the recruitment, retention and career development of underrepresented minorities in the sciences. SACNAS at UCSF is committed to preparing and empowering underrepresented minorities to become leaders that will have a positive impact in our society. To accomplish this, SACNAS at UCSF organizes academic, professional, community service and social activities, creating an enriched environment and support network that serves all of its members and the UCSF community.

The purpose of the Minority Training Program in Cancer Control Research (MTPCCR) is to increase ethnic diversity in the field of cancer control research by encouraging minority students in master's level health programs as well as master's trained health professionals to pursue a doctoral degree and a career in research. The program has been designed to enhance participants'; (1) Understanding of the power of research to effect change; (2) Awareness of the strengths and limitations of research methods, theory, and interventions in eliminating health disparities; (3) Interest in cancer control research, from surveillance to epidemiology, individual behavior change, health services, and policy research; and (4) Research, networking, information seeking skills, and motivation and ability to successfully apply to a doctoral program.

This year-long, structured program is designed for first time applicants who believe they need additional preparation in order to be competitive applicants and for previously unsuccessful applicants to dental school. The program are especially interested in individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, underserved communities and/or from groups traditionally underrepresented in the profession. The comprehensive program is designed to help participants become more competitive dental school applicants in a future admission cycle, and consists of the following key elements; (1) Mentoring and academic advising; (2) A full year of upper division science course work through the University of California, Berkeley Extension; (3) Assistance with the dental school application process; (4) Academic and learning skills development; (5) Intensive DAT review course; (6) Faculty mentoring; and (7) Interprofessional collaboration with the Medical and Pharmacy post-baccalaureate programs.

The HSHPS (Hispanic Serving Health Professions School) Graduate Fellowship Training Program provides paid and unpaid training opportunities for graduate and doctoral students and recent graduates interested in working on Hispanic health research. Fellows are placed throughout the United States and Latin America within government agencies and academic institutions. All HSHPS fellows work alongside (1) a mentor; (2) an experienced researcher; (3) or senior staff member and assist with a research project as it relates to minority health issues and participate in a series of professional development seminars.

The Summer Research Program provides research opportunities in the biomedical and biological sciences. Students selected for summer research at UC San Francisco spend up to ten weeks working with UCSF faculty members on research projects. Participants in the program take part in seminars, lectures, and social events, creating a cohesive and supportive community. At the end of the program, students give presentations of their research and get valuable feedback from students, postdocs, and faculty at UCSF. Students are supported in these programs by funds from the AMGEN Scholars Program, the National Science Foundation, Genentech, the University of California Office of the President, and UCSF Graduate Division.

Mentoring in Medicine & Science is a 501(c) 3 organization whose mission is to increase the number of underrepresented health professionals through mentorship, leadership development and career exposure. The purpose of the summer internship is to expose Pre-med/Pre-health high school, college and post-baccalaureate students to hands-on clinical experience in a variety of health settings. MIMS participants are immersed in direct patient observation, shadow mentors, interact with health professionals and attend daily leadership development seminars.