IE AHEC SCHOLARS
IE AHEC Scholars is a program that enables high-potential students in the health professions to explore primary care with an emphasis on community health and interdisciplinary practice in medically underserved communities. Curriculum modules present diverse learning opportunities that include webinars, case-based learning, self guided research, and direct skills development.
The students ultimately gain a certificate in Community Health at the end of the program, along with applicable experience in community and public health. IE AHEC has participated in the program and enrolled students since 2018.
Prospective Scholars Must Be:
– Interested in primary care and community health
– Motivated to address health needs in vulnerable, underserved communities
– Enrolled in a health program which is at least 2-year-duration. The program must have clinical training requirements and end in a degree/certificate. See a list of eligible health professions program.
See the scholars program curriculum, yearly schedule and application process
See our frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Interested in the IE AHEC Scholars program? Contact us!
To view our 2021-2022 IE Scholars Program Wrap-Up, please click here.
Local University Partnerships:
– University of California Riverside, School of Medicine – California State University, San Bernardino, College of Natural Sciences
– California University of Science and Medicine, School of Medicine – Loma Linda University

– Azusa Pacific University
The IE AHEC Center currently partners with UCR School of Medicine and CSU San Bernardino. In collaboration with UCR SOM, a new designated emphasis was created that allows students to enroll in out AHEC scholars program and receive school credit for their work in the program. Our partnership with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) allowed us to open our doors to public health students in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Additionally, we established a partnership with California University of Science and Medicine, which provided an opportunity for their medical students to enroll in our scholars program. We also have three students from this program that are part of Loma Linda University’s Primary Care Psychology Pipeline Program (4P) that is essentially a scholarship program for clinical psychology students. Our newest addition is Azusa Pacific University who promotes the program to their Masters in Public Health graduate students. Our partners share our same vision and ultimate goal, to encourage students to continue working in our underserved communities and help address the need for health professionals in the Inland Empire.
If you are interested in partnering up with us, or would like to join our program, please contact the IE AHEC Center Director.
Scholars Spotlight:
2021 - 2022 Scholars
Otilia Popa – UCR SOM c/o 2025, MD Candidate Brian Sangalang – UCR SOM c/o 2025, MD Candidate
Gabrielle Celaya – Loma Linda University Navya Chauhan – UCR SOM c/o 2025, MD Candidate
Aliyah Qurashi – UCR SOM c/o 2025, MD Candidate Cloie Chiong – UCR SOM c/o 2025, MD Candidate
Angela Baraiya – West Coast University c/o 2022 Loraine Hermosa – West Coast University c/o 2023
Vanessa Castro – West Coast University c/o 2023 Genevieve Otuonye – West Coast University c/o 2024
2020 - 2021 Scholars
Brian Mcree – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate Jasmine Mitchell – CSUSB MPH Candidate
Saba Sami – CSUSB MPH Candidate
Crystal Witherspoon – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate Maria Macias – UCR SOM c/o 2022, MD Candidate
Prathyusha Dasari – UCR SOM c/o 2024, MD Candidate Elizabeth Celaya-Ojeda – UCR SOM c/o 2024, MD Candidate
Eunique Tucker – Loma Linda University c/o 2026, PsyD Violeta Covarrubias – UCR SOM c/o 2024, MD
Diane Marin – Loma Linda University c/o 2024, PsyD Amanda Saddlemire – Loma Linda University c/o 2024, PsyD
Joe Chen – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2023, MD Ojas Deshpande – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2023, MD
Mariam Ghattas – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2023, MD Nancy Luong – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2024, MD
Alexandra Gacuya -California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2024, MD Kylee Borger – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2023, MD
Rachel Patterson – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2023, MD Tricia Nguyen – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2024, MD
Lauren De Sa – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2024, MD Cynthia Janku- California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2024, MD
Jane Kim – California School of Science and Medicine c/o 2024, MD Viviana Castaneda – Azusa Pacific University, MPH Candidate
2019 - 2020 Scholars
Six scholars from University of California Riverside, School of Medicine successfully completed their second year of the two-year AHEC scholar program on June 30th, 2021. This cohort will move on to meet the requirements to earn a Community Health emphasis from UCR SOM.
Scholars Spotlight:
Cara Cusi – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate Philine Endres – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate
(Not Pictured)
Wonder Edem – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate Somiya Maheshwari – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate
Skylar Rains – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate Ursula Simonoski – UCR SOM c/o 2023, MD Candidate