M.D. Programs and Pathways
Community Health Scholars
Tribal Health PRIME
The UC Davis Tribal Health PRIME program prepares future physicians to provide culturally responsive care in tribal, rural, and urban communities. The program focuses on advancing health equity for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations by training physicians committed to serving these communities.
Program highlights include:
- Recruits students committed to providing equitable, culturally responsive care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities
- Clinical experiences in family medicine, pediatrics, and tribal public health settings serving AI/AN communities
- Opportunities for two- or four-week electives with tribal and AI/AN communities
- Community-engaged learning experiences throughout all four years of medical school
- Additional training focused on tribal health, culture, and health equity
Tribal Health PRIME also supports pathway programs for students interested in tribal health, including partnerships with the Wy’East post-baccalaureate program and the Huwigurrhuk Tribal Health Postbaccalaureate Program at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Learn more about the Huwigurrhuk Tribal Health Postbaccalaureate Program
Program Goals
The Tribal Health PRIME pathway aims to:
- Prepare physicians to serve California’s tribal, rural, and urban communities
- Reduce health inequities by training physicians with deeper understanding of cultural, historical, and social determinants of health
- Explore how self-determination and health advocacy shape health services in tribal and urban communities
- Build lasting partnerships with AI/AN communities, clinics, and physicians throughout the region
Why Choose Tribal Health PRIME?
Students interested in serving California’s urban and rural tribal communities are encouraged to apply regardless of their eventual specialty choice.
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Tribal Health-Focused Curriculum
Students receive additional education on topics affecting tribal and urban AI/AN communities, including the impact of colonization on health, tribal and urban healthcare systems, diversity among tribes and cultures, barriers to care, and the political relationships between tribes and federal and state governments.
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Community and Cultural Engagement
During the first two years, students participate in public health and cultural activities designed to strengthen resilience and improve health outcomes within AI/AN communities.
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Tribal Community Clinical Training
Students receive preferential assignment to clerkship sites serving tribal and American Indian communities throughout Northern California.
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Expanded Elective Opportunities
Learn more about COMET CollaborativeStudents have access to the COMET (California Oregon Medical Education and Training) Collaborative, a partnership of medical education programs, health systems, public health organizations, community health centers, and community-based organizations focused on strengthening care in rural and underserved communities across Northern California and Southern Oregon.
Through COMET Collaborative, students gain additional elective and community-based training opportunities throughout all four years of medical school.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Community Health Scholars (CHS) students participate in a required in-person orientation held approximately three weeks before the start of UC Davis School of Medicine orientation, typically in late June or early July.
Following orientation, students may choose to participate in the Pre-Matriculation Program, which offers an early introduction to the learning skills and academic strategies that support success in medical school. Information about applying to this program is provided upon admission to the UC Davis School of Medicine.
Students are expected to maintain their primary residence in the Sacramento area throughout medical school.
For clerkships located in communities more than 60 miles away, we will provide housing. In addition, all UC Davis School of Medicine students receive a mileage stipend for travel to clinical sites located more than 25 miles away.
No. California’s tribal communities are underserved in all fields, ranging from primary care to specialty care. We want to train physicians who are committed to practicing in California’s urban and rural tribal communities after they complete their medical training, regardless of specialty.
No. A master’s degree is not required during medical school. However, students who choose to pursue one may be eligible for additional financial support.
Yes, Tribal Health PRIME students are eligible for additional scholarship funding each year.