PRIME Central Coast
About PRIME Central Coast
UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Santa Cruz are joining forces to build a regional medical education collaborative dedicated to training future physicians who are deeply committed to the health and well-being of Central Coast communities. We are thrilled to collaborate to launch the PRIME Central Coast program, enrolling its first cohort of 6 students in July 2027.
The goals of PRIME Central Coast are to:
- Cultivate a strong commitment among students to practice medicine in Central Coast communities—home to both rural and coastal populations with significant healthcare needs.
- Address disparities in access, language, and social determinants of health affecting Central Coast residents, particularly farmworker and immigrant communities.
- Train physician-leaders dedicated to improving health outcomes through culturally responsive care, community partnerships, and preventive medicine.
- Form enduring relationships with Central Coast hospitals, clinics, community organizations, and physicians to strengthen local healthcare systems and expand training opportunities.
Why Choose PRIME Central Coast?
- Rooted in Community
If you’re from the Central Coast—or passionate about serving it—you’ll find a program designed to help you give back to the communities that shaped you. We actively recruit and support students from the region through mentorship, pathway programs, and partnership with the new UCSC Pre-Med Post-Bac Program (***link to program website***).
- Committed to Primary Care & Community Health
We are seeking students who are passionate about primary care, preventive medicine, community health, and health equity—and who want to make a lasting difference in underserved communities.
- Real-World, Longitudinal Training
From your first year onward, you’ll complete clinical training in Central Coast clinics and hospitals. These immersive, community-based experiences keep your learning grounded in real-world practice and strengthen your connection to the region.
All CHS students are required to participate in a week of in-person CHS orientation which is scheduled for 3 weeks prior to the start of UC Davis orientation, typically late June or early July. Most of this orientation will be in Sacramento, with 1-2 days located on the Central Coast. Following CHS orientation, PRIME Central Coast students will complete 2 weeks of community clinical immersion on the Central Coast (housing will be provided).
We understand that there are many rural communities on the Central Coast, and many students apply to both programs for that reason! Students in both programs do clerkships in and receive instruction relevant to the region and population of interest. In the case of PRIME Central Coast, students will complete the entirety of their clerkship year on the Central Coast with curriculum tailored to Central Coast specific topics. Rural PRIME students will receive more curriculum tailored to rural health and spend a minimum of 20
weeks in clerkship sites located across Northern and Central California rural communities. Please see our Rural PRIME page for more information.
Yes, PRIME Central Coast students will complete the entirety of their clerkship year on the Central Coast. Given the location of clerkship sites, students are required to move to the Central Coast but will be provided with housing support if they need to return to Sacramento for required curricular activities.
PRIME Central Coast students will receive a stipend to offset travel as well as housing support when:
- They are required to travel to the Central Coast for required curricular activities during years 1 and 2
- They are required to travel to Sacramento for required curricular activities during clerkship year
You do not have to be from the Central Coast to be a PRIME Central Coast student, but we will prioritize students who have firsthand lived experience in Central Coast communities and/or a demonstrated commitment to practicing on California’s Central Coast after completing medical training is required.
No. All qualified applicants with strong ties to the Central Coast are encouraged to apply.
No. California’s Central Coast communities are underserved in all fields, ranging from primary care to specialty care. The curriculum of PRIME Central Coast will highlight opportunities for primary care specialties, but we aim to train physicians who are
committed to practicing on the Central Coast after they complete their medical training, regardless of specialty.
No. We do not require students to complete a master’s degree during medical school. However, students who wish to pursue one are eligible for additional financial support.
Yes, PRIME Central Coast students are eligible for additional scholarship funding each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about PRIME Central Coast: