Stanford/Santa Clara County Medical Association Transformative Experience in Medicine (SSTEM) Program
The SSTEM program was created in 2008 by the Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA) and Stanford medical students to address the widespread physician shortage we are experiencing not only in the Santa Clara County but in California. The program has grown for up to 50 high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented and/or low-income households who are interested in becoming physicians. Our students are high achievers from underrepresented backgrounds and they attend a variety of high schools from the south bay area. Many will be the first in their family to attend college.
During the 3-day program hosted on Saturdays in September, students are introduced to a day in the life of a physician. Physicians will present how to become a doctor, what they love about their specialty, and how to balance their professional and personal lives. Stanford medical students will lead participants in hands-on activities such as taking vitals, suturing, and animal organ dissections. The final day is a tour of the Stanford campus, visiting the anatomy lab, and a chance to ask a medical student panel for advice and tips on how to get into medical school. The program concludes with a closing ceremony. The goal is to provide inspiration and resources to assist them on their path to medical school and ultimately encourage them to come back to serve their community.
The SSTEM program is offered twice a year - Fall and Spring. For any questions or registration assistance, please email Angelica Cereno at angelica@sccma.org.
The next SSTEM program will be on the following dates:
Junior and senior high school students can apply HERE.
SSTEM Fall 2022 Flyer