wss3-12-26

WESTSIDESTORY NEWSPAPER

To Tackle Doctor Shortage in Inland Empire, J.W. Vines Medical Foundation Expands Mentorship Program

RIVERSIDE, CA - There will be a short- age of 5,000 physicians in the Inland Empire (IE) over the next 10 years, according to Dr. G. Richard Olds, the founding Dean of the medical school at the University of California, Riverside. The J.W. Vines Medical Founda- tion anticipated the problem 23 years ago and, in response, created The Elma Vines Summer Health Academy to recruit new Black doctors to the region.

The summer Academy mentors pre-med uni- versity students, providing a pathway to medi- cal school and a future career in the health care industry. Its ultimate goal is to address the physician shortage by increasing Black physi- cian representation throughout the region. According to UCR's research, the IE cur- rently has 42 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents, well below the recommended range of 60 to 80 per 100,000. The area is consid- ered one of the most underserved regions in the country due, in large part, to high poverty rates combined with rapid population growth.

This five-week paid program provides stu- dents with one-on-one mentoring from sur- geons, general practitioners, pediatricians, and dentists, as well as experience working with medical office staff.

Students are tutored in etiquette and medical professionalism, as well as the importance of confidentiality when handling sensitive infor- mation.

Students also receive instruction in creating and delivering medical presentations and de- veloping public speaking skills. Each student is required to prepare and present a weekly re- port regarding their encounters, observations, and knowledge gain.

To continue, visit www.westsidestorynewspaper.com.