Coachella Valley

HCC launched its Coachella Valley Regional Program in 2010. HCC developed the Program in partnership with the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) Workforce Excellence Division and Health Industry Council. The goal is to increase opportunities for college students from the Coachella Valley to obtain exposure, experience, and mentoring to further their health career pursuit, get connected to local health employers, and increase their commitment to becoming health leaders and professionals that serve the Valley. In addition to their paid internship in a local health organization, all Coachella Valley interns also played a role in the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative, such as conducting research, outreach, education, and advocacy to improve the health of underserved Coachella Valley populations.

Many Coachella Valley HCC interns were students from local high school health academies and pathway programs. Many also participate in the Coachella Valley Pathways to Success Scholarship Program. HCC provides a key health career experience and the employment component of the pathway for these and other area students when they are in college.

HCC partners with UC Riverside Medical School to provide workshops, advice, and support to HCC interns. Its unique mission is to improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region. HCC is working to be a source of qualified, diverse candidates for UC Riverside Medical School and contribute to this mission.

Organizations that have hosted HCC Coachella Valley Interns include:

HCC will work with its partners to expand Coachella Valley sites and opportunities.