Kimberlee Jackson and Monique Chambers, both second-year medical students at UC Davis, were recognized at the Sinkler Miller Medical Association's annual Celebration and Scholarship event, held in Oakland in November. The Sinkler Miller Medical Assocaition is a non-profit organization that aims to improve health care for African-American and other minority communities, as well as support African-American physicians working in the Bay Area. Its scholarships encourage young people to enter careers in a variety of health-related fields.
Chambers and Jackson exemplify the spirit of the Sinkler Miller awards. Chambers has organized and participated in student recruitment efforts, with an emphasis on attracting applicants from disadvantaged communities to the School of Medicine. She serves as a volunteer co-director at the Imani Clinic in Sacramento, a free community health clinic run by UC Davis students that operates on weekends and is located in a historically African-American neighborhood. Jackson also is a co-director of the clinic and has been equally active in advancing health in underserved communities. She also helped start a local chapter of the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students and now coordinates its mentorship activities, which provide both experience and assistance for minority students who are interested in careers in medicine.
"Both students have shown a real dedication to tackling the challenges of wide disparities in health among different populations," said Darin Latimore, director of Medical Student Diversity at UC Davis School of Medicine. "We are delighted that the Sinkler Miller Medical Association recognized these exceptional women for their academic accomplishments and commitment to building healthy communities. The scholarships provide support that enables them to continue being terrific student role models and can inspire many other talented students to follow."
The UC Davis School of Medicine is among the nation's leading medical schools, recognized for its research and primary-care programs. The school offers fully accredited master's degree programs in public health and in informatics, and its combined M.D.-Ph.D. program is training the next generation of physician-scientists to conduct high-impact research and translate discoveries into better clinical care. Along with being a recognized leader in medical research, the school is committed to serving underserved communities and advancing rural health.