IEHP-sponsored exhibit spotlights diverse journey of Inland Empire medical students

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), along with University of California, Riverside’s School of Medicine and the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, celebrated the March 26 opening of the PRIME Exhibition, a new creative display amplifying the diverse journeys of medical students currently enrolled in UCR’s PRIME program.

Short for Program in Medication Education, PRIME equips students of all backgrounds with the tools necessary to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to African, Black and Caribbean communities in the region.

Using captivating photography and storytelling methods, the goal of the exhibit is to inspire and encourage young people of color to pursue careers in health care and build their futures in the IE—one of the fastest growing regions in California.

“IEHP is proud to support local medical students and champion programs that ensure our future physician workforce reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve,” said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton. “The UCR PRIME program is a vital part in this mission, helping to cultivate responsible doctors who will provide inclusive, compassionate care across the region.”

UCR and IEHP are longtime collaborators. The local health plan has supported 94 UCR School of Medicine students through its Healthcare Scholarship Fund, a program that provides monetary support to local medical students who promise to practice medicine in the region for at least five years after graduation. Forty-eight scholars currently enrolled at UCR are part of the program.

In addition, its bond is even tighter thanks to both organizations’ goal to strengthen health care access for all.

“Through this exhibit, we are cultivating a new generation of physicians committed to improving the health of Californians, advancing health equity, reducing disparities, and delivering culturally responsive care for the communities they call home,” said UCR Assistant Clinical Professor and Director of Community Engagement and Outreach Dr. Michelle C. Burroughs.

The UCR PRIME Exhibit is on display at the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 103, Riverside, from noon until 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays through June 12. To learn more about PRIME, go to ume.ucr.edu/prime.

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the fifth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. Founded in 1996, IEHP supports nearly 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). As of 2024, IEHP also offers Covered California plans, further ensuring health care access for even more IE residents. Today, IEHP has a robust network of quality doctors throughout our two counties and nearly 3,800 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.