UCSF Fresno

05/07/2026

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We closed out April with a Friends of the Foundation dinner, where we shared an overview of the Central Valley Community Foundation’s Health Equity Initiative and the Health Care Landscape Study. Friends heard directly from local health leaders — including Fresno County Director of Public Health Joe Prado, Vice Dean of José M. Barral Sánchez, and CEO Shantay Davies-Balch — in a panel conversation facilitated by Senior Health Equity Fellow Elize Bradley, DrPH, JD.

Their message was unmistakable: our region’s health care system faces significant challenges, and transformative, community‑driven change is essential to building a more equitable future.

To learn more about becoming a Friend of the Foundation and supporting local health equity efforts, tap the link in bio.

05/05/2026

Today we hosted the fourth SJV PRIME Day, bringing together all four classes of UCSF School of Medicine SJV PRIME students at UCSF Fresno alongside faculty and staff. It was a great time connecting with partners, friends, and donors. We shared program updates, and heard from graduates whose journeys were shaped by SJV PRIME and who are now using those experiences to care for their communities. Training physicians from the Valley, for the Valley.

Reel description: Event attendees interacting during the social hour before lunch.

05/02/2026

All four cohorts of SJV PRIME+ at UCSF Fresno today for mentoring, tours, and hands on clinical skills activities. 🩺

05/02/2026

The 2026 Central Valley Health Summit was hosted by the UCSF Fresno Department of Surgery and Intentional Recruitment Coalition last week. The conference brought together health care providers and community members to spotlight the health care challenges facing California’s Central Valley and to collaborate on meaningful solutions to improve patient health especially in areas affecting Valley residents such as access to care in rural areas, Valley fever and diabetes. Presenters included Trinidad Solis, MD, MPH, Fresno County Health Officer; UCSF faculty at UCSF Fresno Geetha Sivasubramanian, MD, FIDSA; and Mandeep Gill, DO.

04/29/2026

“Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley, I saw both the strength of the people and the deep health care needs of the region. Those experiences inspired me to pursue medicine in the first place.”

Audrey T. Garcia-Lahrs, MS, MPH, is one of 12 students in the 2024 matriculating class of the UCSF San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education (SJV PRIME). She is excited to continue her medical education journey at UCSF Fresno.

Read her story here:

https://fresno.ucsf.edu/returning-home-heal-medical-student%E2%80%99s-journey-back-valley

04/27/2026

Register now for the 21st annual Cardiology in the Valley Symposium hosted by program director John A. Ambrose and the UCSF Fresno Division of Cardiology. The 21st year of the symposium will highlight The Present and Future of Cardiovascular Therapeutics.

2026 Topics and Speakers

Introduction and Opening Remarks
John A. Ambrose, MD, FACC, Professor of Medicine, UCSF Fresno

Cardiac Pacing and Defibrillators
Arang Samim, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF

Cardiac Transplantation
Ricardo Chia, MD, Assistant Professor, UCSF

The Future of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Coronary Bypass Surgery
John A. Ambrose, MD, FACC, Professor of Medicine, UCSF
Leheb H. Araim, MD, FACS, FACC, Central California Heart and Lungs Surgery

Genetics in Diagnosis and Therapy
Matthew T. Wheeler, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University

Interactive Lunch and Q&A Session with Speakers

Register here:
https://ucsf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brZqEbIORzhfvf0

04/25/2026

UCSF Fresno Vice Dean Jose M. Barral Sanchez introduced Tou Bee Thao, a UCSF SJV PRIME medical student, at the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Summit on April 24. Thao, a third-year medical student at UCSF Fresno and Fresno State graduate, shared some of his inspiring journey and his goal of becoming a practicing physician in the Valley including his Hmong heritage and desire to give back to Fresno. CVHEC is a non-profit organization made up of the colleges and universities in the region. A goal of the consortium is to increase Central Valley’s certificate and degree attainment rates. CVHEC invited students to speak to attendees to share Voices from the Valley and to underscore why the work of the consortium matters to students and the region. Vice Dean Barral Sanchez serves on the Board alongside the presidents and chancellors at regional institutions. The summit also included a panel discussion with Assembly member Esmeralda Soria and Senators Anna Caballero and Shannon Grove. Thanks to these legislators for their leadership and advocacy for the SJV. Thanks to CVHEC for bringing higher ed together in this one of a kind consortium.

Photo descriptions: UCSF Fresno Vice Dean Jose Barral Sanchez at the podium. SJV PRIME medical student Tou Bee Thao at the podium. Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval shakes hands with Thao while UC Regent Maria Anguiano looks on. State legislators sit on stage. UCSF Fresno Vice Dean Barral Sanchez, Tou Bee Thao, and Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval pose for a photo. Barral Sanchez with Assemblymember Soria. Barral Sanchez with Senator Caballero.

04/25/2026

UCSF Fresno was pleased to attend the State of Downtown presented by the Downtown Partnership and a host of sponsors. We enjoyed networking with longtime friends and colleagues and making new acquaintances. The future of downtown is bright!

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

UCSF Fresno Vice Dean Jose M. Barral Sanchez, MD, PhD, recently delivered comments at the 47th annual Central California Research Symposium (CCRS) at Fresno State. Dr. Barral Sanchez encouraged students to continue engaging in research and opportunities to present their work. He shared how a poster presentation was key to his academic career path. UCSF Fresno has been a longtime partner with Fresno State on the CCRS. Kent T. Yamaguchi, MD, UCSF faculty in the UCSF Fresno Department of Surgery, retired in 2017 and remains active in the community, and Loren I. Alving, MD, director of the UCSF SJV PRIME and the UCSF Fresno Alzheimer & Memory Center, serve on the committee and as judges. Thanks to Jason Bush, PhD, AVP, Research and Sponsored Programs at Fresno State, for the invitation to present and the hospitality. Kudos to the students from Fresno State and other educational institutions around the state who participated and congratulations to the winners!

04/24/2026

Today, the UCSF Fresno community came together for an afternoon of lunch, co****le, and connection at our April Wellness Event. We also took time to celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication of our administrative professionals—with a special treat of rolled ice cream to show our appreciation.