FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 8, 2003

DOCTOR’S ACADEMY AT SUNNYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL SENDS ONE-THIRD OF ITS STUDENTS TO UC

FRESNO – The Doctor’s Academy at Sunnyside High School, sponsored by UCSF Fresno, the Latino Center for Medical Education and Research as well as other community partners, will graduate its first class of 32 students later this month (May). All students will be continuing their education at a college or university in the fall. Many of them are the first in their family to go to college.

More than one-third of the students have been admitted to UC campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.

Students who will be attending UC campuses are Linda Chey, Janet Corona, Sokontia Kem, Anushka Mahal, Davier Mayes, Vanessa Ortiz, Hokseng Peng, Natalie Rojas, Chanphaneth San, Sarath Suon, Jacqueline Tak and Tia Vang.

The Doctor’s Academy seeks to increase the number of disadvantaged and underrepresented students who go on to become competitive applicants to graduate health profession schools.

“These students demonstrate the effectiveness of the Doctor’s Academy Program at helping underrepresented youth go on to pursue careers in health and medicine,” said Katherine Flores, MD, director of the UCSF Fresno Latino Center. “We are extremely proud of our first class of graduates and particularly excited to have so many of the students go on to UC campuses.”

Now in its fourth year, the Doctor’s Academy enrolls about 40 students annually. Students participate in accelerated classes with an emphasis on math, science and writing, enrichment programs, visits to graduate health professions schools, and receive other support services.

In 2001, the Doctor’s Academy received a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. The prestigious award program honors exemplary K-12 programs throughout the state.

For more information about the Doctor’s Academy, please call Bertha Dominguez at (559) 241-7670.

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