Twelve students have joined the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ ‘s (JABSOM) ʻImi Hoʻ¨la Program, a 53-year initiative to prepare future physicians and strengthen Â鶹´«Ã½‘s healthcare workforce.
The year-long post-baccalaureate program provides academic preparation and support for students pursuing medical careers, with an emphasis on serving Â鶹´«Ã½ communities.
The new class includes Swasthita Sadagopan, Dannia Andrade, Camarin Camacho, Johnathan Cornell, Lawrence Gerald Guittap, Kody Kobayashi, Tiffany-Ryan Kusano, Alexia Maki, Nathan Paz, Alessandra Clariss Ramirez, Gabriela Siaosi and Moeko Teter.
Sadagopan, a Mililani native and UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ biology graduate, said mentors helped her overcome doubts about pursuing medicine. She conducted research with JABSOM’s Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and was encouraged to apply to ʻImi Hoʻ¨la by physician and program graduate January May Andaya, and professor Ben Fogelgren.
“I’m very thankful for them,” said Sadagopan. “For them to tell me that I’m capable of doing it was really reassuring.”
‘Many hands willing to hold you up’
The class recently met ʻImi Hoʻ¨la alumni and current medical students during the program’s annual Open House, which gave students an opportunity to learn about the demands of medical school and the support network that comes with the program.
Kobayashi, who hopes to return to Kauaʻi as a physician, said that support is an important part of the ʻImi experience.
“There are many hands here that are willing to hold you up when you need some help,” he said. “We’re always going to have someone who’s there for us.”
Ramirez, who grew up in Waipahu and attended Chapman University in California, said ʻImi Hoʻ¨la is also helping her achieve her goal of returning home to practice medicine.
“It’s always been my goal and my dream to come back to Â鶹´«Ã½ after completing my higher education in California or in the mainland,” Ramirez said. “So I’m really happy that ʻImi Hoʻ¨la was my opportunity to come home.”
Since 1973, 327 ʻImi Hoʻ¨la participants have graduated from JABSOM, with many going on to become physicians and leaders in Â鶹´«Ã½.