Keck School Youth Programs

The community partnerships and programs run by the Keck School of Medicine "are just incredible," says Rosa Hernandez, principal of the Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School, which is located next to the Health Sciences Campus in East Los Angeles. "The medical school really provides students with great opportunities."

Students and Scientists

Hernandez singles out for praise the Edmondson Summer Fellowship Program that permits high school students to participate in research alongside Keck School scientists—and even join in the publication of findings in prestigious medical journals. "Our students say that having been at USC and working side-by-side with scientists and graduate students taught them responsibility and taught them to take life seriously. That makes me proud—and the parents are so excited," she says.

Creating Possiblities

The successes of current programs emanate from such long-standing efforts as the Medical Counseling, Organizing and Recruitment program. Called Med-COR, this Saturday tutorial emphasizes support in math, science and English. It targets middle and high school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District who show an interest in the health professions. Since 1974, the program has benefited thousands of students, many of whom went on to successful careers as physicians or in other health-related fields.

John Davis, director of the Med-COR, says he knows that the program literally changed the lives of many youngsters. "One student wrote a letter and said that when he started the program, he thought Med-COR was destroying his life because it took away his Saturdays and he couldn't see his friends,” recalls Davis. “But after he graduated, he went to college and he realized that Med-COR gave him a life and permitted him to see what he could accomplish. Now he is practicing family medicine in Watts. He wrote me that letter years ago, but I still hear that kind of success story all the time."

Similar Keck School programs, such as Community Scholars and Health Professional Preparation (HePP), have met with similar success over the years. The Community Scholars program targets high-risk middle school and high school students from the East Los Angeles area and helps them develop the prerequisite skills, academic competence and motivation they need to pursue a career as a health professional. HePP also offers college preparation course work, career presentations and a support network.

With an eye toward multiplying the educational and career opportunities of the community's youth, the Keck School of Medicine is hoping to ensure a better, brighter future. And if the past is truly prologue, it is clear that the School will continue to succeed in this effort.

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