being the mentor . And to have it be for the program I had gone through made it more exciting ,” Vang said .
Many of her early life experiences nudged her toward the career she now has , practicing primary care internal medicine in Fresno where doctors are in high demand . Growing up , she saw family members and friends struggle to access quality health care .
“ For me personally , seeing these struggles , that was instrumental in fueling my passion to want to do something to address this ,” Vang said .
Vang is a testament to the success of the Doctors Academy at Sunnyside High . She is among the 102 health professionals to emerge from the Doctors Academy since its first graduating class of 2003 through 2021 .
They include :
· Thirteen medical doctors · Three dentists · Three pharmacists · Two physical therapists · One doctor of psychology
In addition , another 223 alumni of the Doctors Academy are working on their degrees and six are in medical school , said Stephanie Huerta Alvarez , education director for UCSF-Fresno and the Latino Center for Medical Education and Research .
“ The program has had really positive outcomes ,” Alvarez said .
She praised the Sunnyside staff for always being receptive to new ideas for the Doctors Academy .
The Doctors Academy was established in 1999 by Dr . Katherine Flores , director of the UCSF-Fresno Latino Center for Medical
42 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT : TIA VANG