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Through a program called AvenueM, Mendocino College and the University of California at Davis are collaborating to create a pathway into medical school for local students. To support this effort, MCHC Health Centers has offered to host clinical rotations, and once students finish their program, potential job opportunities.
AvenueM partners with community colleges to increase the number of physicians, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to serve underserved communities in Northern California.
MCHC CEO Rod Grainger said, “Locally and nationally, the shortage of medical providers means people are often not getting the care they need in a timely manner. MCHC wants to encourage more local students to consider a career in medicine, including bilingual, bicultural students who are interested in improving the health and wellness of our whole community.
Many people shy away from a career in medicine because of the cost. However there are many opportunities for financial support, including loan repayment programs.
MCHC recruiter Laura Curtis said, “Don’t let large student loans be a deterrent from following your passion! After graduating, if you work at a federally qualified health center like MCHC, not only are you improving the health and wellbeing of our community, you are eligible to apply for loan repayment programs such as CalHealthCares, NHSC, SLRP, or CMSP among others. These programs provide significant financial support to help cover loans from licensed medical, dental, and behavioral health providers.”
The AvenueM program is recruiting mission-focused students who come from economically, socially, and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds; who speak English as a second language; and/or are first-generation Americans. It is also interested in military veterans and those with ties to Northern California, either because they grew up here or live here now. These criteria are considered as part of the selection process.
Program eligibility requires students to be enrolled at a participating California Community Colleges, which includes Mendocino College, have an overall GPA of 3.0, and have completed at least 12 units of transferable coursework. Students must also have completed a Student Education Plan outlining their plan for transfer and be a first-time bachelor degree seeking student.
For those making a career change and working toward pre-med requirements, additional programming options can be found through the UC Davis School of Medicine via https://health.ucdavis.edu/diversity/
If you are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare but are not ready to commit to medical school, the Mendocino County Office of Education (mcoe.us) offers entry programs into the medical and dental fields, and Mendocino College (mendocino.edu) has a well-regarded nursing program.
MCHC Health Centers includes Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport. It is a community-based and patient-directed organization that provides comprehensive primary healthcare services as well as supportive services such as education and translation that promote access to healthcare.