The Future of Medical Education at UCSF Fresno

UCSF Fresno was established as a graduate medical education campus of the UCSF School of Medicine in 1975. Initially, we trained medical residents, followed by fellows and third and fourth year rotating medical students. The future of medical education at UCSF Fresno includes continued medical student education tied to strong residency programs.

Since the UCSF School of Medicine became the degreegranting institution for the San Valley Program in Medical Education (SJV PRIME) in 2018, medical students enrolled in the track spend much more time training with us. SJV PRIME students now conclude their undergraduate medical education here in the Valley and can conduct residency training in the region.

After spending 18 months at the main campus in San Francisco, the first cohort admitted to UCSF SJV PRIME in 2019 began training at UCSF Fresno in January 2021. The third cohort of students was admitted this summer. The training of medical students is inextricably linked to residency training. The two go hand in hand and must grow together.

Key findings from the 2019 American Association of Medical Colleges Medical School Enrollment Survey include:

• Enrollment to medical degree granting institutions has grown by 33% since 2002 • Leadership at many medical schools expressed concerns about the availability of graduate medical education training opportunities (residency training) • Medical school leadership also expressed concerns about the availability of clinical training sites and preceptors (practicing physicians who give supervision and training to medical students)

Without residency training, medical students may be forced to go elsewhere, even out of state, to complete the training required in the United States to practice medicine independently. If medical students leave the Valley, they are far less likely to come back. The two biggest predictors of where physicians practice are where they complete their training and where they grew up.

To keep pace with increasing demands for clinical skills training on campus and make the latest simulated experiences available, UCSF Fresno’s Clinical Skills Lab expanded and is acquiring new equipment. Practice for various patient scenarios and team building exercises in a realistic and safe environment are crucial to medical student education and residency training.

To create a more dynamic and user-friendly environment, the UCSF Fresno Hildebrand Medical Library was recently renovated with new furniture, treadmill desk, collaboration rooms and 3D makers’ lab. New computers, computer stations and printers are on the way and an official reopening of the library is expected in the fall.

Wellness continues to be a priority at UCSF Fresno. Faculty and learners must take care of themselves before they can care for others, and we are committed to providing them with the support and resources needed. Additional staff was hired and special initiatives were launched such as care packages for our residents, fellows, and faculty, access to virtual mental health resources, appreciation days and we continued virtual yoga and meditation in virtual formats.

As the largest academic physician training program in the region, we have the expertise and an obligation to share evidence-based best practices and enhance clinical care. We will continue to offer and develop continuing medical education programs that anticipate and serve the needs of the local, state and broader medical community.

We will continue to remember our oath to our patients - to treat them as people, not diseases. And we stand ever ready to meet the challenges ahead to advocate for our diverse patients and address the health consequences of poverty, discrimination and limited opportunities. An emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion will continue to be at the core of UCSF Fresno training, patient care, research and service to the community.