Virtual Summer Session: June & July, 2026 – Application Opens this Fall!
Since 2013, the Introduction to Integrated Health Care (IIHC) program has successfully provided first-year medical students with the opportunity to experience the Kaiser Permanente integrated healthcare system. This system values technology, prevention, and a diverse workforce to achieve nationally leading quality patient outcomes. At Kaiser Permanente, Northern California, medical students will experience the healthcare system of tomorrow today and learn more about our excellent residency programs.
As an IIHC participant, you’ll have the opportunity to learn virtually from our exceptional faculty, residents, fellow physicians, program leaders, and staff while gaining exposure to culturally sensitive and population-based healthcare. For this unique experience, we’re seeking medical students with a strong passion for community health and a commitment to promoting culturally sensitive care.
The IIHC virtual summer program will feature four weekly sessions and five weekend workshops in June and July (firm dates TBD). The programming includes five Saturday half-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and weekly virtual presentations from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (PST) Monday-Thursday. Please note that the schedule is subject to change with advanced notice.
We invite you to apply this fall to participate in this transformative experience and take the first step towards becoming a leader in integrated healthcare. We look forward to receiving your application!
What to Expect
- Didactic virtual & online learning and interactive workshops that provide an introduction to Kaiser Permanente’s integrated healthcare model and its focus on coordinated, preventative, and population-based care taught by KP physicians throughout Northern California; Oakland/Richmond, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose/Gilroy/Scott’s Valley, Vallejo, Central Valley (Modesto/Stockton/Manteca/Tracy), Greater Southern Alameda Area (San Leandro/Fremont/Hayward), Walnut Creek/Antioch, and Fresno
- Online access to the program 24/7 during the entire four-week session
- Information about UME and GME opportunities within Kaiser Permanente Northern California
- Structured learning and self-reflective opportunities that promote confidence in delivering culturally sensitive care
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
- Introduction to GME-funded research publications, study designs, and appraisal techniques
Application Criteria:
- Open Registration Period: October 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Must be a current 1st-year medical student at the time of application submission and a 2nd-year medical student at the program’s start.
- Must be available to complete the entire four-week program and five weekend workshops, which include weekly virtual presentations from Monday to Thursday, 5:30-6:30 PM (PST), and four half-day Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (PST). Programming is subject to change.
- Must demonstrate commitment and achievement in community health and culturally sensitive care.
- Completed applications must include an essay detailing your current interest in medicine and involvement in serving diverse communities, a CV, and a letter of good standing from your medical school, with no exceptions.
- If selected, participants must complete the first year of medical school by Spring 2026 and be in good academic standing (no summer make-ups).
- All applicants will be notified of their application status in mid-March.
IIHC Information Sessions Available this Fall:
- Wednesdays, 12:30 PM-1:00 PM (PST)
- November 12, 2025
- December 17, 2025
- January 14, 2026
- Click HERE to register for your preferred date!
- 2026 IIHC Flyer
How to Apply
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IIHC Alumni
IIHC 2019 Video credit to Hye-Jin Yun
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Hi everyone,
I’m Janna, a current fourth year medical student here at Touro. I know summer feels really far away, but I wanted to share an amazing opportunity with you: the Introduction to Integrated Health Care virtual summer program. The emphasis of the program is on community health and providing culturally sensitive care. I was lucky enough to be included in summer 2022 and really enjoyed the experience, which helped guide me in picking programs to apply to for residency. We had lectures from Kaiser faculty, residents, and support staff about residency, various specialties, finances, and special topics such as HIV prevention and mental health and cultural humility in BIPOC communities. And we were able to interact with other med students from around the country which was a plus. I highly encourage you all to apply! The deadline is January 31. Good luck and happy studying! – 2022 Participant
The Introduction to Integrated Health Care program was an unforgettable experience for me. Even amid a pandemic, the IIHC team took special care of us, were incredibly communicative, and really sought to go above and beyond for us. The staff put in extra effort to make the program accessible and it surely paid off. Not only did I get to learn from a variety of expert physicians, but I also learned more about Kaiser Permanente as a whole; their culture, their history, and what it means to be a team member. The sessions faculty held for us were packed with groundbreaking research and used a special lens of cultural humility, which only opened our eyes more. Sometimes discussion around research can be lofty however, faculty included real-world examples and made that type of knowledge more tangible. The IIHC program fosters a culture of growth and comradeship, which I especially felt with my cohort. I had the privilege to meet students from all over the country and learned from them as well. I will be sure to use the experience and knowledge I’ve gained from IIHC in my journey with medicine. I am proud to say I am a 2020 IIHC alumnus!– 2020 Participant
Program contact information
Benjamin Thomas, MD, Co-Director
Benjamin.Thomas@kp.org
Ruben Gonzalez MD, Co-Director
Ruben.Z.Gonzalez@kp.org
Susana Martinez-Caldera, UME/GME Regional Residency Program Administrator
Susana.Martinez-Caldera@kp.org
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