Decision Medicine North Bay

Help Sponsor The
Next Generation of Doctors
In Our Community.

Decision Medicine — North Bay is a NEW free, two-week medical immersion experience for high school students across Sonoma, Mendocino & Lake Counties.

Support This Program Learn More

FREE
25
10
3

 WHY THIS MATTERS

Local students. Local doctors.
Healthier communities.

The North Bay faces a persistent and growing shortage of primary care physicians — especially in rural and underserved areas. Decision Medicine North Bay gives talented local students the exposure, mentorship, and pathway they need to pursue medicine and come back to serve their communities.

A Growing Physician Shortage

Sonoma, Mendocino & Lake Counties face critical gaps in primary care and rural medicine — gaps that directly harm the people who need care most.

Access Drives Aspiration

Without exposure, aspiration is impossible. Many talented students from farmworker and first-generation families never imagine a career in medicine — until someone opens the door.

Real Health Equity Stakes

Farmworker families in Sonoma County face diabetes rates nearly 4× the county average. Physicians who grew up here are far more likely to return and serve their home communities.

THE PROGRAM

Two weeks. Real hospitals. Real mentors.

Modeled after the nationally recognized Decision Medicine program created by the San Joaquine Medical Society — now in its 11th year — students will rotate through hospitals, clinics, private practices, and universities across all three counties. 

  • Hospital shadowing & clinical tours
  • One-on-one physician mentorship
  • CPR certification 
  • University } Medical school visits (SSU, UCSF, UC Davis, Touro)
  • College & pre-med pathway guidance
  • Daily Transportation to site visits provided 
  • Spanish-language materials available for Parents
  • Graduation banquet for students & families

WHERE WE'LL BE

Three counties. One mission.

Students will rotate through hospitals, clinics, and practices across our three counties — giving them an authentic look at healthcare in both urban and deeply rural settings.

Sample Cirriculum (Week 1)

  • Group Bonding Day | Ropes Course | Picnic | Team Naming, Etc. 
  • Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital
  • Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa
  • Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
  • Private physician practice shadowing
  • Community Health Center / FQHC visit

Sample (Week 2)

  • Adventist Health Ukiah Valley
  • Adventist Health Clearlake
  • Mendocino Community Health Clinic (FQHC)
  • Rural & underserved community health focus
  • SSU, UCSF, Touro Medical School or UC Davis Medical School 
  • Graduation Celebration Dinner