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Medical School Student Outreach Programs
UC Irvine School of Medicine students have several community outreach programs to choose from.
Medical students who have a desire to improve healthcare for California's largest ethnic group may want to consider the Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC).
Ultrasound in Medical Education gives medical students the opportunity to learn more about how ultrasound is used as a diagnostic tool.
Medical students can also mentor the next generation of healthcare providers as part of free The Center for Future Health Professionals program.
The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) works with UC Irvine basic scientists, clinical investigators and community partners to improve medical care and train future clinical researchers.
The Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) at UC Irvine's School of Medicine is a combined medical degree/master’s program geared toward medical school students with a desire to improve healthcare for the nation’s largest ethnic group.
PRIME-LC’s mission is to provide specialized training for future physicians of any background who are committed to a career in public service. Graduates of the program are expected to work toward closing the healthcare services gap in the Latino community through improved healthcare delivery, research and policy development in these underserved communities.
Students in the program take all required medical school courses as well as a specialized Chicano/Latino studies curriculum, which begins with a summer immersion experience and continues with targeted graduate courses in the second and third years. Although medical students can choose any master’s program supporting the PRIME-LC mission, many have chosen to pursue master’s degrees in public health, public policy or business administration.
To be admitted to the program, applicants must satisfy all UC Irvine School of Medicine entry requirements in addition to the PRIME-LC requirements:
- Demonstrating a commitment to community service, particularly in the Latino community
- A basic proficiency in Spanish
UC Irvine School of Medicine’s Ultrasound in Medical Education program allows Orange County middle school, high school and undergraduate students to see how advanced ultrasound technology is used in healthcare and to learn about career opportunities in medicine.
Upon request, UC Irvine ultrasound specialists visit area schools or host students at UC Irvine Medical Center and demonstrate how ultrasound works and the numerous ways the technology is used to diagnose and treat patients.
Each student participant performs an ultrasound scan on a person. Students also hear medical and undergraduate student volunteers share their experiences as well as the challenges and rewards of pursuing a healthcare career.
Learn more about Ultrasound in Medical Education and how to volunteer»
The goal of the Center for Future Health Professionals is to expose youth to healthcare career options, inspire them to pursue a medical career and guide them in preparing for college and professional school. The programs offered at the center are free.
Medical students can participate in civic engagement projects or career workshops which are usually held at underserved high schools. Medical student mentors make a difference in these young people's lives by sharing knowledge, providing constructive feedback and offering guidance to achieve career goals. Mentors who participate in these programs also gain insight into the healthcare challenges in underserved communities.
The Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) ensures that new and existing resources in clinical and translational science are effectively and rapidly matched with the creative energy of University of California, Irvine basic scientists, clinical investigators and community partners to improve medical care and public health and to train the next generation of clinical researchers.
The ICTS will facilitate the goals of the faculty and of the institution, and pull together all the components of translational research. There are currently two programs through which students can participate in community projects, facilitate partnerships and conduct research.
Community Action Planning Group
The CAPG consists of the leaders of local community based organizations, practicing physicians, health care organizations, governmental representatives, community groups and UCI researchers. It aims to:
- Create a bi-directional mechanism for input and education about challenges to community well-being and research at UCI
- Build mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships to bridge the gap between UCI and the community
- Collaboratively redirect research to respond to community health needs.
- The goal of CAPG is to have community partners and UCI working together to develop, implement and disseminate clinical discoveries that result in improved health status for all the diverse communities of Orange County.
Campus-Community Research Incubator Award
The Campus-Community Research Incubator Program (CCRI) is a small grant fund designed to foster collaborative research-oriented projects between university researchers and community organizations. Medical students interested in community projects can partner with community organizations or express their interest to the ICTS, who will match them with a community partner.