The FACES for the Future Coalition’s founder, Dr. Tomás A. Magaña, and FACES alumni – Leonel Mendoza, Victor Ramos, Felicity Harris and Autumn Adams – were featured in People Magazine’s “Heroes Among Us” section.
In 2000, Dr. Magaña co-launched the FACES for the Future program in Oakland, CA. The program has paired hundreds of high school students with medical professionals in two-year mentorships, shadowing surgeons, assisting nurses and learning hospital procedures. Nearly all have gone to college; many are training for or working in health-related fields.
“Dr. Magaña overcame all these challenges,” says Leonel Mendoza, one of FACES’ many alumni. Leonel, who grew up poor in Oakland and now is a first-year medical student, also shared, “It would be awesome if I can too.”
(May 2013)