Welcome to
PUMA

The Program for Underrepresented Medical Applicants was formed in November 2019 at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine to address two aspects of medicine: the lack of diversity and inclusion within the field, as well as, the lack of support many disadvantaged, underrepresented in medicine students face when​ applying to medical school. 
All PUMA participants receive individualized mentorship and advising from a medical student mentor, faculty mentor, and other individuals within the admissions process. PUMA is an eight month program with four dedicated weekends of seminars to help you develop your primaries, secondaries, as well as your interview skills. The 2025 PUMA Application is NOW OPEN and due Monday, April 7th, 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]

Meet the FOUNDERS

NYAH RODMAN
A current fourth year medical student at UCSD School of Medicine, Ms. Rodman is the founder and Director of the PUMA Initiative. Her interests include public health, social justice, diversity in medicine, infectious disease, nephrology, cardiology, and transplant medicine.  
RAMON HERNANDEZ, DrPH
Dr. Ramon Hernandez is the PUMA Initiative Supervisor and a faculty mentor. Due to his efforts, PUMA was able to secure funding for through the Health Careers Opportunity Program federal funding grant, allowing all of PUMA to be completely free for our mentees!

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Location

2025 Seminars, Workshops, and Mentorship Sessions will be held in-person or Zoom. The first and last weekends will be held at the Medical Education and Telemedicine Building at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. The second and third weekends will be held via Zoom. 

​MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TELEMEDICINE BUILDING
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093


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The puma initative

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