State of Reform featured L.A. Care's $31 million commitment to address California's growing shortage of physicians in "L.A. Care announces Elevating the Safety Net initiative". The article talks about L.A. Care's July 19 launch event, where L.A. Care CEO John Baackes announced the initiative that spans three programs designed to recruit and enable physicians to pursue careers in the Los Angeles County safety net.
The safety net includes clinics and practices that serve the uninsured, Medi-Cal members and other vulnerable patients. One of the programs includes scholarships for medical students who are committed to working in safety net communities. This year's eight scholars were present at the launch event, representing the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. They are receiving full medical school scholarships of up to $350,000.
The average medical student walks away with $200,000 in debt. That changes the way that you look at your future. The ability to graduate debt-free has a very tangible impact on students. These students can now choose any specialty they want in any community they want. That impact cannot be understated.
--Dr. Clarence Braddock III
Vice Dean for Education, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Learn more about L.A. Care's Elevating the Safety Net initiative.