Our Story

 

The Pilipino Undergraduate Society for Health informally began when two Kaibigang Pilipin@ members, Heidi Tuason and Jeremy Verango, wanted to bring a pre-health program for Filipinos similar to Berkeley’s, PAHC (Pilipino Association for Health Careers) to UCSD. They planned an event for anyone to attend where three medical students would be in attendance to talk to any of the undergraduates. Although only four undergraduates attended the event, both of PUSH’s founders were present! Two years later, Kathleen Coquia, one of our founders, after serving on the Kaibigang Pilipin@ board for 3 years wanted an organization that would combine the love and community she felt from KP, something she didn’t receive in other pre-health organizations, with the resources for Filipinos and other minorities to help one another achieve their pre-health goals. The meeting she attended two years back with Michael Del Rosario, our other founder, also inspired and motivated Kathleen and thus, PUSH was established in 2009 with the mindset of peers empowering each other, while also helping out the local Filipino community in San Diego.

Mission Statement
 

As members of the Pilipino Undergraduate Society for Health (PUSH), we believe in the academic empowerment of Pilipino(a) American students. We are leaders of the Pilipino community who strive to be an active presence through service, who establish networking opportunities and collaborations, and who promote education and awareness of health issues in order to productively direct ourselves towards future goals in health professions.

Community Advisor - ​Dr. John D. Blanco

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