From Farming Town to Medical School: Vanessa Mora Molina’s Journey to Serve Underserved Communities

Vanessa Mora Molina, a native of Fowler, California, grew up in a small farming town in the San Joaquin Valley where access to basic medical care was often limited. Despite these challenges, Mora will be graduating this June with her M.D. from one of UC’s six medical schools, along with over 700 other medical students. The majority of these new doctors, 73%, are expected to remain in California for their residency training.

The UC PRIME program is a specialized classwork and training program that prepares future physicians to serve underserved communities in the state. Through this program, doctors are equipped to address the lack of healthcare access in regions known as “health care deserts,” where language and cultural barriers often hinder effective care delivery. Dr. Katherine Flores, a family medicine physician who mentored Mora at a clinic in Fresno, emphasized the importance of having doctors who not only practice in a community but also understand its unique needs and challenges. She highlighted the significance of recruiting medical students from the Valley who can relate to the culture and circumstances of the residents they serve.

Mora and many of her fellow graduates have participated in the UC PRIME program, which offers specialized classwork and training to prepare future physicians to serve underserved communities in the state. The program has had a significant impact on Mora’s journey towards becoming a doctor. She has learned valuable skills and knowledge that will enable her to better serve her community when she begins her career as a physician.

To learn more about Mora’s journey and the impact of UC’s medical programs on underserved communities, read the full article on the UC Newsroom website.