Kaiser physicians, staff inspire next generation of doctors from Bellflower Middle School

Photos courtesy Kaiser Permanente

DOWNEY — For more than 17 years, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center physicians and staff have inspired local youth to pursue medicine through the Kaiser Permanente Hippocrates Circle program, which introduces a diverse group of middle school students to careers in health care.

The 2022 Kaiser Permanente Hippocrates Circle program kicked off in January—after being completely revamped to ensure COVID-19 safety precautions were met—with a total of 35 students from Bellflower Middle School.

Instead of the usual medical center tour, this year the tour came to their school and students experienced exciting hands-on activities, including:

  • A CPR class hosted by the Kaiser Permanente Downey Staff Education Department

  • A healthy eating discussion held by the Kaiser Permanente Downey Center of Healthy Living

  • A “Future Doctor Kit” station where students were shown how to use basic medical instruments by two family medicine physicians from Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center, Aide Perez-Soto, MD, and Milagro Ramos, MD, who is also the program’s physician champion

Students also participated in virtual discussions in which a diverse group of physicians and department administrators from Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center spoke to students about their career journeys.

These events are designed to help students visualize themselves preparing for medical school.

At the May 11 graduation ceremony, the students were honored with certificates issued by Rep. Linda Sanchez, Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, and Bellflower City Council to recognize this major milestone and congratulate the next generation of medical professionals.

“The Hippocrates Circle graduation is a program favorite because the students receive their first stethoscope and it really makes them feel like they are on their way to becoming a doctor,” Dr. Ramos said. “Doing this program gives me a chance to motivate young minds and give them information that I did not have when I was growing up. It shows them that if they want to become doctors, they can do it.”

The Hippocrates Circle program is the first step in a long line of youth workforce development programs that Kaiser Permanente offers, including the Volunteer Program, INROADS internships, and Residency and Fellowship opportunities.

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