AltaMed’s Health Careers Opportunity Program

The Cástulo de la Rocha Health Equity and Community Empowerment (CRHECE) Scholars Program provides students in Chicana and Chicano Studies and/or STEM-related fields with interests in the medical and health care professions an opportunity to participate in a paid summer internship by joining a larger group of interns through AltaMed’s Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP).

Over the summer, students attend multiple workshops on health equity, gain clinical skills, and engage in research activities related to serving medically underserved communities. CRHECE Scholars, in collaboration with AltaMed's Government Relations team, are also given an opportunity to attend the distinguished AltaMed Day at the Capitol event. This unique opportunity provides CRHECE Scholars a way to actively engage with state legislators and representatives as they advocate on behalf of AltaMed and its patients. These opportunities enhance students' commitments to health equity, social justice, and community empowerment as they gain critical mentorship throughout. CRHECE is committed to creating pathways into medicine and health related fields for "underrepresented" students by embracing a critical health justice and community empowerment ethos.   

Interested students should contact Dr. Juanita Garcia: juanita_garcia@ucsb.edu