Summer Health Career Mentorship

Doctors Academy (DA) is a challenging, 4-year school-within-a-school program designed for students interested in health professions. DA students receive rigorous accelerated classes that emphasize math, science, and writing, personal and professional development workshops, academic counseling and support services, parent empowerment workshops, lectures from medical or health practitioners, observership placements in medical or health settings), and summer school enrichment programs.

We aim to provide students with opportunities to explore health careers, strengthen critical thinking skills, and develop a college-bound mindset so they can become competitive applicants to health professional schools. Throughout the program, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the San Joaquin Valley's rich cultural diversity, as well as the importance of culturally and linguistically competent health care.   

With a focus on addressing the increasing health professional shortage, UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research (LaCMER) developed the DA program in 1999. School District contracts, grants, and the UCSF Fresno Associate Dean's office all contribute to the funding. The mission of LaCMER is to develop individuals to become health care professionals who will return to the San Joaquin Valley and to provide culturally competent health care services to the medically underserved

Mentors are requested to: 

• Encourage students in their journey to become health care providers by offering personal and professional wisdom 
• Allow students to view patient interactions, procedures, team meetings, etc. as permitted 
• Assist in the development of meaningful networks 
• Encourage the development of soft skills  

When a health provider completes the sign-up form, they may indicate any student attributes that are preferred. Additionally, students are asked to list their top three areas of interest and transportation limitations.  DA staff reviews and matches mentors to mentees for optimal success.

We invite health providers from all specialties to mentor Doctors Academy students. Doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, technicians, etc are encourage to sign-up to be matched with a high school student. 

The total hours of the program is 50 hours. The preferred mentorship would be a minimum of 10 hours per week for a total of 50 hours of in-person shadowing over five weeks at the time most convenient to the provider.  (i.e.: one shift of 10 hours, two shifts of 5 hours each, etc.) 

Yes, the time commitment to a student may be shared with colleagues or other support staff, if your availability is limited due to vacation, scheduled shifts, etc.  When the sign-up form is completed, indicate the name(s) of fellow colleagues that will be mentoring the student

Yes, if your schedule, work environment, or support staff can provide a positive experience, two students may shadow at the same time or have staggered schedules.  Please indicate your willingness for more than one student on the sign-up form. 

Professional Development  

• Achievements or lessons learned from working, volunteering, or in school
• Important health issues in the community you have recognized and how they couldld possibly be addressed to solve
• Ability to positively impact others at school or in other settings
• Conflict resolution, including the outcome
• Processes and conduct that had improved your effectiveness as an individual or in working with others
• Navigating tough decisions when working with others or in reaching your professional goal
• Types of decisions - Easier vs. challenging

Education/Career Guidance 

• Decision to join the Doctors Academy, a club, participate in a volunteer program, or get a job
• Skills necessary or desirable to develop in your schooling or career
• Next steps in your education/career going from this point including barriers (doubt, finances, etc)
• How your career is envisioned for the future
• Educational goals

Personal Development 

• Current strengths and areas for development
• Ideas on how to improve
• Influential people, books or other resources  
• Work/Life balance or school/life balance 
• What are you passionate about?

Our hope is that mentors have a rewarding experience as well as provide an invaluable learning experience for the student. If there is a question or concern, please contact Angela Allison at 559-930-8783 immediately to address.

A survey will be provided to you at the end of the summer experience to share your experiences with your mentee and support from Doctors Academy.

After the summer experience, mentors and mentees are encouraged to stay in touch. However the students are no longer cleared to shadow in facilitied, hospitals or clinics once the program is over. 

This summer experience is for students between their junior and senior year of high school that are in the Doctors Academy. The observership is the culmination of their Doctors Academy experience. Students are from contracting districts.

Students shadow professionals in the health field in order to gain insight into the career paths available. The shadowing experience should include viewing procedures, team meetings and patient interactions. Students are not trained so should not be allowed to practice any hands-on medical skills. 

Mentors have the unique opportunity to influence critical decisions and encourage Doctors Academy students as they enter their senior year in high school where they are preparing to apply to colleges, scholarships, look for opportunities to become a more competitive college applicants, and make other life decisions.