MEDIA AVISORY
September 15, 2003

Corinna Kaarlela, News Director
Source: Cara Peracchi Douglas, Director, Public Affairs and Communications
Phone: (559) 243-3606
E-mail: carapd@ucsfresno.edu
Web: www.ucsfresno.edu

UCSF-Fresno Presents Media Panel Seminar On Cross-Cultural Health Issues Affecting San Joaquin Valley

The UCSF Fresno Medical Education Program of the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, is hosting a panel discussion featuring some of the Valley's most familiar Latino voices titled Cross-Cultural Health Issues in the San Joaquin Valley. The discussion will be lead by Valley media representatives who will offer their personal insights and experience to help medical students become effective health advocates for the Valley’s culturally diverse population.

Panel Participants Include:

Maria Erana
Managing Partner, Radio Bilingüe

John Esparza
Editor, Vida en el Valle

Sayra Vasquez
News Reporter, Univision, KFTV Channel 21

Estella Romo
PSA/News Director, Radio La Mexicana

Background

UCSF Fresno provides training to approximately 200 third- and fourth-year medical students annually. UCSF Fresno educates its students to be culturally sensitive physicians. The goal of the seminar is for medical students to learn about cultural barriers present within the Latino population that affect a patient’s ability to access health care. Additionally, medical students will learn about community-based options available for overcoming these barriers.

For more information about UCSF Fresno’s seminar, contact Adriana Padilla, MD, program director for UCSF Fresno’s Undergraduate Medical Education Program at 559.459.6105.

# # #