Senator Melissa Hurtado presents four CMSP scholars, representing each CMSP hub, with certificates of recognition at the State Capitol. From left to right: Eduardo Lujan, Jasmin Neri Sanchez, Senator Melissa Hurtado, Celeste Young, and Dia Hassan.

The California Medicine Scholars Program (CMSP) recently released its 2022–2025 Impact Report, a milestone publication marking three years of growth, partnership, and measurable progress toward a more equitable physician workforce in California.

With the support of Senator Melissa Hurtado in 2021-2022, CMSP has grown into a proven statewide model:

• Securing $10.5 million in state investment, including $2.8 million in ongoing funding to sustain fourestablishing four Regional Hubs of Healthcare Opportunity (RHHOs)
• Establishing four RHHOs
  • Greater Northern California Region (led by UC Davis School of Medicine)
  • Inland Empire (led by UC Riverside School of Medicine)
  • Central Valley (led by UCSF-Fresno Medical Education)
  • San Diego/Imperial County (led by UC San Diego School of Medicine) UC Davis, UC Riverside, UCSF-Fresno, and UC San Diego)
• Expanding to 31 counties
• Partnering with 52 colleges and universities to strengthen the pathway from community college to medical school. 

Now with four cohorts and 800 students, the program has supported hundreds of students with mentorship, patient care experiences, transfer guidance, and wraparound support designed to remove structural barriers in medicine.

This progress was highlighted during the recent CMSP Capitol Briefing in Sacramento, where program leaders, partners, scholars, and supporters gathered to share the impact and vision of CMSP with state legislators. The briefing provided an opportunity to showcase the work happening across CMSP Regional Hubs and highlight how the program is strengthening pathways into medicine for community college students across California. Senator Hurtado and Asm. Alvarez presented four CMSP scholars representing each Regional Hub with certificates of recognition.

Throughout the event, attendees engaged in conversations about the importance of expanding access to medical education, supporting community college pathways, and addressing California’s growing physician workforce needs. The CMSP scholars and staff shared insights about their local programs, the students they serve, and the partnerships that make this work possible.

As CMSP continues preparing for expansion into new regions, the Capitol Briefing served as an important moment to reflect on how far the program has come and to reinforce the collective commitment to building a physician workforce that reflects and serves California’s diverse communities.

CMSP is currently supported through funding from the Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) and generous philanthropic support from the California Wellness Foundation, California Health Care Foundation, The California Endowment, and Gilead Foundation, with FoundationCCC serving as the program’s Central Office. By supporting underrepresented students, CMSP is accelerating better medical care for all.

Explore the full report >