Vanessa Mora Molina, a native of Fowler, California, is set to graduate with her M.D. from one of UC’s six medical schools this June. Growing up in a small farming town in the San Joaquin Valley, access to basic medical care was often limited and appointments sometimes took weeks to secure. Despite these challenges, Mora persevered and will be joining over 700 other medical students who are also graduating this year.
The majority of these new doctors, 73%, are expected to remain in California for their residency training. One such program that has prepared these future physicians is the UC PRIME program, which offers specialized classwork and training to equip doctors with the skills needed to serve underserved communities in the state. Through this program, doctors are trained to address the lack of healthcare access in regions known as “health care deserts,” where language and cultural barriers often hinder effective care delivery.
Dr. Katherine Flores, a family medicine physician who mentored Mora at a clinic in Fresno, emphasized the importance of having doctors who not only practice in a community but also understand its unique needs and challenges. She highlighted the significance of recruiting medical students from the Valley who can relate to the culture and circumstances of the residents they serve. By doing so, these doctors can provide more effective and compassionate care to those who need it most.
To learn more about Mora’s journey and the impact of UC’s medical programs on underserved communities, read the full article on the UC Newsroom website.
