News

This year a total of 14 students applied for the program, and 7 are from the Yuma County WAHEC Area, which includes the following students:

• Martin Caudillo, from Cibola High School;
• Alan Hurtado, Angel Navarro Carrillo, and Dianara Ramirez, from Kofa High School;
• Tomas Camilo Ortiz, and Gerardo Abraham Sanchez, from San Luis High School;
• Patricia Monique Sanchez, from Gila Ridge High School.

Yuma, AZ.- Seven students from local high schools will learn more about health careers as they will participate in the 2016 Med-Start Summer Program from June 5- July 16 in Tucson at the University of Arizona (U of A).

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the College of Medicine, the six week program is a summer academic enrichment program for any 11th grade Arizona high school student interested in a health career.

“We are glad to see there is a growing interest of local students eager to learn more about health related areas”, said Ms. Amanda Aguirre, President and CEO of the Regional Center for Border Health, Inc., and added; “the Med-Start Summer Program is an opportunity for the students to learn hands-on and start their path towards their future careers.”

Applications were available in March and students from the Western Arizona Area Health Education Centers (WAHEC) area applied; the applications were sent to RCBH/WAHEC whose representatives reviewed and ranked the applications to later be re-submitted for review and selection by the U of A Med- Start Summer Program Office. 

This year a total of 14 students applied for the program, and 7 are from the Yuma County WAHEC Area, which includes the following students:

• Martin Caudillo, from Cibola High School;
• Alan Hurtado, Angel Navarro Carrillo, and Dianara Ramirez, from Kofa High School;
• Tomas Camilo Ortiz, and Gerardo Abraham Sanchez, from San Luis High School;
• Patricia Monique Sanchez, from Gila Ridge High School.

Med-Start was created in 1969 to help improve healthcare in rural, reservation, and economically disadvantaged areas through the recruitment and training of students from these regions. The program helps young people prepare for their future in the health professions by exploring career opportunities and providing college level coursework in English and Science.

The Med-Start program is a collaborative effort between the U of A College of Medicine — Tucson and other departments at The University of Arizona. Collaborative agencies supporting the program include: the Arizona Area Health Education Centers, the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, and other Arizona educational and health care organizations. 

For more information please contact Mrs. Mariajose Almazan, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO at (928) 627-9222 or by e-mail at mrincon@rcfbh.org