Three MUSD Students Accepted into Medical Program

Three MUSD Students Accepted into Prestigious Medical Program

Photo Credit: San Joaquin Physician Magazine

Out of 84 prestigious applicantsand only 42 interviewed, 24 students with an average GPA of 4.11 and a passion for caring for others, were accepted into San Joaquin Medical Society’s Decision Medicine Program. Three of which, are MUSD students: Sarisha Jacobs, Weston Ranch High School, Safah Nassimi, Lathrop High School and Sanah Nassimi, Lathrop High School.

Decision Medicine is a 2-week program started in 2001, designed to introduce San Joaquin County students to a career in medicine. The goal of this program is to give the students’ the encouragement and other resources that they will need to become physicians and to ideally come back and serve the Central Valley community. According to San Joaquin Medical Society, there is a growing need for primary care physicians nationwide, especially in San Joaquin County.

The program is limited to a small group of 24 participants each year for maximum impact. Participants were challenged with real world decisions as they explored the many facets of a career as a physician.

Sarisha Jacobs, who is part of the BE.Vital Health Career Academy at Weston Ranch High School, shared that one of the most exciting parts for her was when she got the opportunity to shadow the doctors on rounds, as they went through their daily routines interacting with patients. “After observing a surgeon and seeing a procedure, I think I want to go into that field. It really solidified what I want to do in the future. It doesn’t seem that unreachable if I stay the course and complete all the classes I have set for myself in high school and university,” shared Sarisha.

Throughout the program students worked in various team configurations. They were exposed to rounds with Residents at San Joaquin General Hospital, received CPR certification at St. Joseph’s Medical Center and typed their own blood at Dameron Hospital. They also visited Gleason House and St. Mary’s Dining Hall to teach about outreach to the homeless. Additionally, students visited UC Davis Medical School, Shriners Hospital in Sacramento and several specialized hospitals in San Francisco to meet and interact with physicians conducting fascinating research in the areas of organ transplantation, physical therapy and even holistic health.

Sanah Nassimi, senior at Lathrop High School, said that her favorite memory during the program was when she visited Shriner’s Childrens Hospital and participated in medical play with burn victims.

Safah Nassimi and Sanah Nassimi receiving white coats.

Medical play is a practice performed with patients that encompasses normative, developmental, educational and therapeutic play. It is important because it can help reduce a patient’s anxiety and fears that come with being hospitalized. “Through this program I got to learn so much; I attended lectures on pathology, simulated a code blue, became CPR certified, talked to current medical students, and more. I gained irreplaceable advice and wisdom and I will take it with me throughout my journey as I strive to become a cardiologist in the future. When I accomplish that goal, I hope to come back to San Joaquin Valley and serve our wonderful community,” said Sanah.

At the end of the program, all 24 students received white, physicians’ coats with their names engraved. Sanah’s sister , Safah Nassimi, is also a senior at Lathrop High School and she shared that her most touching memory in the program made was at the white coat ceremony. Safah shared, “My grandfather was especially touched because he said he didn’t know if he would be able to attend my actual white coat ceremony. This opportunity gave me an additional surge of motivation to pursue my dream of becoming a licensed physician. I will never forget the memories and people I met through Decision Medicine.”