In additon to the health career mentorship, students also participated in skills building, health topics, simulation and discussions to prepare for their educational journeys by exploring personal development topics such as perseverance, humility, imposter syndrome, and mentoring.
Week 1: Kickoff & Connections
Our Doctors Academy summer experience began with an exciting kickoff event, bringing together seniors from Sunnyside and Caruthers High Schools for networking and new friendships. Students engaged in professional development sessions to build essential skills for their healthcare journeys and wrapped up the day with mindfulness activities, setting a solid foundation for the weeks ahead. Now ready to begin their hospital and clinic observerships, they’ll benefit from mentorship by dedicated health professionals!
Week 2: Hands-On Nursing Skills & Veteran Care
This week, students explored nursing at Fresno City College, where they practiced auscultation, administered medications, learned to place NG tubes, and identified patient safety concerns in simulated settings. Thank you, FCC Nursing, for this invaluable hands-on experience!
The day continued at the VA hospital, where students met Chief of Surgery Dr. Brownell, who shared inspiring stories of serving our nation’s veterans. They learned about volunteer opportunities and gained insight into the unique aspects of veteran care. Thank you to the VA for your warm welcome and impactful stories!
Week 3: Exploring Emergency Medicine & Naloxone Training
Week 3 provided an in-depth look at emergency medicine at UCSF Fresno. Through interactive stations, students experienced the thrill of running a code, performing ultrasound, inserting IVs, and practicing intubation.
In the afternoon, they received training on the critical use of naloxone, equipping them with life-saving knowledge to respond to opioid overdoses. This was a powerful day of skill-building and learning about healthcare’s role in emergency response.
Week 4: Family Medicine & Thinking Like a Doctor
In Week 4, our students delved into family medicine at UCSF Fresno. They participate in the birthing process using high-fidelity mannequins, caring for a newborn, learned vital sign assessment, and the importance of screenings like the Pap smear.
Dr. Milanes delivered an inspiring session on "How to Think Like a Doctor," guiding students in developing a diagnostic mindset. It was an engaging day that deepened their understanding of primary care and patient-centered practice.
Week 5: Suturing Skills & Mentorship with ASPIRE
Our students wrapped up their final week by learning suturing techniques from Dr. Trinh, advisor to the ASPIRE program at SVJ PRIME. With guidance from medical students, they practiced suturing skills and gained insights into medical school life. This hands-on session was both skill-building and motivating, underscoring the importance of mentorship in medicine.
Thank you to all the hospitals and clinics that allowed Doctors Academy students to shadow and observe:
- UCSF Fresno Faculty
- Adventist Health (Caruthers East, Fowler, Hanford, Selma, and Selma Central)
- Clovis Pediatric Group
- Community Pediatric Specialists
- Community Regional Medical Center
- Costanzo Orthodontics
- Fresno Dental Surgery Center
- Fresno Economic Opportunity Commission
- Inspire Health Medical Group
- Kaiser Permanente (Fresno, Clovis, and Selma)
- Minarets Medical Group
- Robert Pauline Physical Therapy
- South County Animal Hospital
- Toribio Psychological Services
- Valley Children's Hospital
Mentor Feedback
"Think back to when you were their age and how much it would have meant to you to be able to participate in a program like this." Brian Chinnock MD
"Making real impact at the grass-root level on a generation of students who are motivated was one of the most satisfying experiences." Dr. Sathi, Valley Children's Hospital
"Unique opportunity to impact students at a critical time in decision making . Makes what they are learning tangible." Ellen Middleton NP PhD
"Hosting students from the Doctor's Academy program has been immensely rewarding as it gives us healthcare professionals the opportunity to broaden their horizons, demonstrate the first-hand impact clinicians can make in improving our patient's health, and providing focus and motivation to high-performing students who may be uncertain about their professional career path." Harlan Husted, Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist, Community Regional Medical Center
"I love serving as a mentor to these kids. I believe teaching and giving some insight help these kids to get into the right path of being positive contributors and potentially be mentors in the future." Dr. Ayson, Fresno Dental Surgery Center
"Overall, I’ve really enjoyed being a mentor. I hope that I can show students what I love about my job." Dr. Stephanie Hatayama, South County Veterinary Hospital
"I think this is a great way to get students to think about a career in healthcare. I'm so thankful to be part of this program."
"I was introduced to the program through my colleague and last year I interacted with the student at our facility. It was truly enjoyable event to attend the Research Symposium and see all these promising teens. So this year we had 2 students at our facility, and it has been a joy working with them."
Student Feedback
"It was such a life altering experience and really opened my eyes to the possibilities of medicine. Meeting my doctor has truly inspired me to continue a profession in medicine." Sunnyside Student (Placement: UCSF Fresno Faculty, Family Medicine)
"It was a privilege to shadow a doctor and definitely makes me want to pursue my future in healthcare and stay in the valley." Caruthers Student (Placement: Private Office, Orthodontics)
"The shadowing/mentoring experience was my favorite part of this entire summer experience. It was really an eye-opening experience on meeting the patients, meeting the other doctors and nurses, observing various procedures, being educated on health disparities, and all of the above. Not only do you get to know the behind the scenes of what your mentor does as a healthcare professional, but you can get to know them on a personal level. My mentor was always willing to answer any of my questions about a patients' case or even their journey on becoming who they are today. All of the advice given to me from doctors, nurses, and even patients will always play a role for my future education. I remember one of the doctors that I shadowed told me “This is your temporary home.” It made me feel very comfortable and I will never forget this experience. I am really grateful for this opportunity and I would have loved to shadow even longer." Sunnyside Student (Placement: UCSF Fresno Faculty, Family Medicine)
"This shadowing experience is something that I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life. I loved the experience, and I learned so much about medicine. Talking to the residents about their journey was super interesting and I got to see so many different operations." Caruthers Student (Placement: Community Regional Medical Center, UCSF Fresno Faculty Emergency Medicine)
"The shadowing/mentoring experience meant so much to me, because I got to interact with such a talented and passionate doctor and she was so kind and was willing to answer all of my questions truthfully and also wanted me to learn everyday that I was with her which I am so grateful for." Sunnyside Student (Placement: Kaiser Permanente, Ob/Gyn)
"This shadowing experience has been very eye opening and amazing. I got to learn more about myself and about hardships that patients and providers both face in a healthcare setting. This experience has further motivated me to keep pushing to pursue a career in the medical field as I one day want to make a difference in healthcare. It was also a very full circle moment for me because I was placed at a clinic which I went to my whole childhood and I never once imagined myself shadowing a provider there so this experience really proved that your capable of anything if your willing to put in the work." Caruther Student (Placement: Adventist Health, Primary Care)
"The shadowing experience has opened my eyes on what it is like in the medical field. Being able to have this experience has helped me want to continue to pursue on becoming a pediatrician." Sunnyside Student (Placement: Community Regional Medical Center, UCSF Fresno Faculty Pediatrics)
"I am very grateful for the shadowing/mentoring experience and how it’s opened my eyes around healthcare. I was able to look more in depth in the work put in by all the roles in healthcare for a patients health. I was able to have a glimpse of what kind of work someone in healthcare would do on a day to day basis, helping me shape what I want my career in healthcare to look like." Caruthers Student (Placement: Adventist Health, Primary Care)