Resources
A variety of schools and programs exist to prepare the next generation of health care professionals.
Current or former partners of Kaiser Permanente Northern California that support students in gaining exposure opportunities to careers in the health care field
FACES for the Future Coalition
Inspiring youth to lead by creating innovative approaches to youth development, health careers preparation, and wellness. All FACES programs provide 4 core components:
- Health career training and work-based learning
- Academic support
- Wellness services
- Youth leadership development
Health Career Connection (HCC)
HCC’s program connects college students with internship opportunities through which they gain the necessary exposure, experience, and mentorship to discover and launch their health careers. HCC offers an educational stipend, so the expense is not a barrier to participating in this opportunity as is often the case for underrepresented students. HCC also connects participants with diverse role models, fosters community support, and provides specialized training to inspire and prepare participants to become change agents in their organizations, communities, and our nation.
Helix Medical
Helix is a California registered non-profit that hosts a free, 4-week summer medical program for high school minority populations who are underrepresented in the medical field in the Bay Area. Students learn about different health care fields, meet and network with local health care professionals, rotate through clinical and biological skills labs, and explore avenues for futures in health-oriented careers. Following the summer program, Helix alumni take part in unique semester workshops and are individually matched to a mentor in their health care field of interest. Ultimately, they hope to contribute towards a diverse health provider population that represents and advocates for the communities they serve.
HWI
HWI, or Health Workforce Initiative, is a program of the Workforce and Economic Development division of the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The site includes several resources focused on health occupations and programs available through the California Community College system. Resources include a site map of where to find health care programs, a general health care pathway guide, and several materials on career pathways.
Mentoring in Medicine
Each year Mentoring in Medicine & Science partners with health institutions across the Bay Area to offer holistic and interactive programming to students of color interested in health care. Whether exploring Stanford’s School of Medicine or facilitating a hands-on workshop at Highland Hospital, Mentoring in Medicine is proud to have such a strong network that supports our mission to increase health workforce diversity.
Physician Medical Forum
(PMF’s) main purpose is to encourage the recruitment and retention of African American and unrepresented physicians, and the equity and betterment of health care for people in Northern California. The forum provides a variety of programs to support the next generation of physicians.
UCSF Fresno – Doctor’s Academy
With a focus on addressing the increasing health professionals shortage, UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research developed the Doctors Academy program. The program began as a joint partnership between UCSF Fresno, Fresno Unified School District, and the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. Middle School programming was also integrated through the Junior Doctors Academy program.
Futuro Health
Futuro Health makes education journeys into allied health careers possible by growing the talent that employers need and creating a path to opportunity that workers want. Its goals is to graduate 10,000 allied health workers by 2024 to meet the nation’s critical demand.
Schools, programs, and academies offered by Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente’s KP LAUNCH internship programs offer young adults paid internship opportunities in our Kaiser Permanente Northern California headquarters and administrative offices, medical offices, and medical centers. Our goal is to build and sustain a diverse, culturally competent workforce to meet the needs of the increasingly diverse Northern California communities we serve.
Thriving Schools is KP’s initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of students, teachers, and staff in schools K-12. Collaborations exist with several school districts to address physical health, mental health, social health, racial justice, and access to care. The Thriving Schools website includes resources such as playbooks, training modules, assessments, Educational Theatre and webinars.
KP Educational Theatre has inspired children, teens, and adults to make better decisions and lead healthier lives by offering free programs to schools and communities for over 35 years. Using the power of theatre and storytelling, our programs directly connect with students and adults through relatable characters and real-life situations. The programs feature contemporary music, humor, dance, and dialogue loaded with age- appropriate health information. These programs are provided at no cost to schools and nonprofits serving youth.
Located in Richmond, CA, the Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health Sciences offers programs in Medical Assisting, Nuclear Medicine, Phlebotomy, Radiography, a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and Sonography.
Located in Pasadena, CA, the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) leverages the values and capabilities of our integrated health system, and the unique relationship between the independent Permanente Medical Groups and the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan/Hospitals organization, to prepare students for future-facing clinical practice and health system leadership.
Located in Pasadena, CA the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia (KPSA) is a pioneer of graduate-level nurse anesthesia education for baccalaureate nurses since its inception in 1972. With the support of Kaiser Permanente, and in conjunction with California State University Fullerton, KPSA is dedicated to providing an excellent educational program in achieving your dream and goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist.
The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Scholars Academy was launched to advance professional training, streamline the integration of best practices, and nurture future leaders at all levels of the organization, with programs focused on internal Kaiser Permanente employees as well as the community.