Each year, USC APAMSA, along with Alhambra High School’s Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement Program (MESA), pairs up high school students with first or second-year medical students based upon common interests, such as hobbies, college interests, and extracurricular activities.  

The goals of the program are twofold: (1) To provide high school students with positive role models who can serve as a resource as they go through the rigors of high school, apply to colleges, and plan their future careers and (2) to give medical students an opportunity to serve the community and make a difference in the lives of young people.  We hope to accomplish these goals through academic and social events.

Last year, 54 MESA students were matched with mentors and the program introduced three new events, which were all well received.  This year, our goal is to build upon the success of last year’s program and strengthen the relationship that USC APAMSA shares with the Alhambra community.

+ Alhambra High School Mentoring

People of all shapes, sizes, and colors are invited to take fifteen minutes of their time to contribute two tablespoons of blood to register their marrow types on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Every day, patients of over seventy life-threatening diseases from all over the country search the registry for volunteers that could potentially save their lives. By registering, you expand the national library of marrow types and increase the chance of a match for these patients.

+ Bone Marrow Registration Drives

In Los Angeles County, liver cancer disproportionately affects Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) more than any other ethnic group. With the known association between the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and liver cancer, the Hepatitis B Task Force was created to increase knowledge among API parents concerning the risk of HBV, the importance of HBV immunizations for themselves and their children, as well as provide educational and clinical resources in their own native language. Moreover, the Hepatitis B Task Force also aims to increase the knowledge of HBV treatment options and increase coverage rates among health care providers.

+ Hepatitis B Task Force