Students Pursue Careers In The Health Sciences With Help From USC

Students at Ednovate East College Prep (3825 N Mission Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90031) a charter public high school serving youth in Northeast and East Los Angeles, now have an opportunity to participate in Med-COR (Medical, Counseling, Organizing and Recruiting), a program that teaches students about the health sciences and healthcare-related fields.

Launched in September 2021, Med-COR is a co-curricular collaboration between the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine and Ednovate East College Prep. The school is one of only four campuses, and the only charter public school, throughout Los Angeles County to offer the program.

“Our campus is quickly evolving into a health science institute on the eastside,” said Andrew Martínez, principal at East College Prep. “We’re very excited about the partnership with USC’s Keck School of Medicine, which helps us provide students a well-rounded high school experience grounded in the health sciences,” said Martinez.

Twenty ninth-grade students were accepted into the program in the fall. Students meet twice a month on the USC campus with program leaders and college students who tutor them. All students receive academic support, participate in STEM-related extracurricular activities, and have access to speakers who are healthcare professionals and often Med-COR alumni. In ninth and 10th grade, students learn the basics about how to become better students. Beginning in 11th grade, students are eligible to apply for a 6-week summer internship at USC Keck Hospital where they can acquire skills similar to those of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). The internship is critical in helping students decide whether they wish to pursue a career in the field. In 12th grade students receive assistance with college applications and personal statements.

“Having Med-COR on their high school transcript is huge for students,” said Kyle Perez-Robinson, Med-COR teacher leader at Ednovate. “It’s a rigorous program that can help with undergrad medical school applications, especially when applying to USC. Our students can distinguish themselves and be more competitive,” added Perez-Robinson.

Med-COR is an academic enrichment program launched by USC in 1970 to increase the number of high school students of color attending four-year universities and pursuing careers in the healthcare field. At its peak, the program was found in 77 schools throughout L.A.Unified, but the 2008 economic recession drastically reduced funding. Today, the program is funded largely through USC alumni donations. Francisco Rodriguez, who has served as the program’s student advisor for the past 26 years says the goal is to get students into four-year universities, and more specifically into health science professional careers.

“Because of COVID, students are behind,” said Rodriguez. “If the program wasn’t available, the students would have a more difficult time getting into a four year university. Our goal is to get them there!”