Kaiser Baldwin Park Partners with EMCSD
We have added a new partner to continue elevating our educational offerings to students. Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center is bringing its Hippocrates Circle Program (HCP) to three EMCSD schools this spring, connecting 7th and 8th-graders directly with medical professionals to provide meaningful mentorship to students from under-resourced communities and communities of color.
“[Our] goal in partnering with Kaiser Permanente to bring HCP to our schools is to spark students’ curiosity and encourage them to begin exploring potential career pathways, particularly in the medical field,” explained Dr. Teresa Pinedo, EMCSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. “The program connects students with mentors who are most often people of color and who come from backgrounds similar to those of our students, including immigrant families, first-generation college experiences, and limited access to resources. This representation is powerful in helping students see themselves reflected in professional roles and believe that these pathways are attainable.”
Currently, HCP is being offered at Columbia, Gidley, and Potrero schools. The program includes several events, such as a medical center tour and a visit to a medical school campus. Students will also participate in different activities covering aspects of the medical field, getting opportunities to use equipment, conduct experiments, and learn basic CPR.
We hosted an informational meeting for interested students and families featuring three doctors from Kaiser Baldwin Park, including EMCSD alumni. Dr. Kevin Tran is a former New Lexington and Columbia student who is excited to bring this program to his alma mater. “I didn’t have this program growing up, so I had no idea what I wanted to do,” said Dr. Tran, who shared that his parents immigrated from Vietnam with no money and no education. “My parents couldn’t help me with homework or pay for college, but they taught me perseverance. I relied on teachers and counselors to help guide me…I’m so glad that I can be your resource and expose you to what it’s like to be in medicine and what the possibilities are for you!”
Dr. Paula Case from Kaiser Baldwin Park also shared her story with students. “I was born in Mexico and came to the United States when I was 8 years old, and didn’t speak any English at all. I was an ESL (English as a Second Language) student,” she explained as she urged students to apply to be part of the Hippocrates Circle Program. “Doors will open if you work hard because people will want to help you. You want to find someone in your sphere who can mentor you, and this program is going to provide that for you. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just giving a little extra.”
As the rollout of this new Hippocrates Circle Program begins, Dr. Pinedo says EMCSD is already planning for next year, “Through this partnership, students have the opportunity to engage with industry experts, ask questions, and practice essential 21st-century skills such as communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. We see this program as a foundation for future growth and are exploring opportunities to expand HCP to additional schools next year as interest and capacity allow.” Interested students have submitted applications, which will be reviewed by HCP leaders, giving up to 20 students per school an opportunity to participate in the program.