Growing a Workforce That Looks Like Our Membership
There are not enough doctors serving in the health care safety net, which includes those clinics and practices that provide care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Recent medical school graduates are reluctant to choose to work in the safety net if they’re saddled with medical school debt.
Elevating the Safety Net frees students from this debt, allowing them to practice wherever they want. In 2023, eight students received full medical school scholarships of more than $400,000 each as part of this initiative. Four of the scholars attend the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and four attend the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU). Since 2018, L.A. Care has committed $17.6 million to cover scholarships for 48 students.
Research shows that increasing racial and ethnic diversity of physicians improves patient outcomes within communities of color. But the number of Black and Hispanic physicians remains low in this country.
“L.A. Care has long recognized diversity among the health care workforce will mean better outcomes for our members,” said John Baackes, L.A. Care CEO. “I am proud to say, the vast majority of our L.A. Care scholars come from communities of color, and all have expressed a commitment to work in underserved communities.”
“I am endlessly grateful to have been selected as an L.A. Care Scholar in 2023. L.A. Care’s earnest investment towards my future and goals will always be appreciated and will help me in my goal of providing culturally competent care to my LatinX community.”
— BERENICE ELIZARRARAZ, L.A. CARE MEDICAL STUDENT SCHOLAR
Elevating the Safety Net scholars all grew up in environments similar to L.A. Care’s members and have expressed a desire to practice in their communities. By providing full scholarships to these students, L.A. Care is growing the future workforce of doctors who want to serve in the safety net, and who have the life experience to understand the health plan's members’ needs.
Dive Deeper: Videos
Watch our interview with Berenice, and a speech from Alejandro Quiñones Baltazar of our 2022 class. We also feature the graduation ceremony for the first class of Elevating the Safety Net medical student scholars.
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