Vanessa Mora Molina, a native of Fowler, a small farming town in California’s San Joaquin Valley, endured long wait times for basic medical care as a child. Despite these challenges, she will soon earn her M.D. from one of UC’s six medical schools, alongside over 700 other medical students.
As part of their training, many of these physicians have completed specialized programs through the UC PRIME program. This initiative equips students to provide care to underserved populations throughout California and aims to address the issue of “health care deserts,” which are areas that lack access to appropriate medical care and often suffer from a lack of culturally competent doctors who can effectively communicate with patients.
Dr. Katherine Flores, a family medicine physician who supervised Mora in a Fresno clinic, stresses the importance of having doctors who understand the communities they serve. According to her, simply having more doctors is not enough; it is crucial for physicians to comprehend the culture, challenges, and norms of the community in order to provide effective care.
The UC PRIME program and the commitment of these new doctors to serving underserved populations indicate a positive shift in healthcare in California. By training medical professionals who are culturally aware and dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities, UC is making strides towards ensuring that all individuals have access to quality care.
