"Samuel Merritt University (SMU) in Oakland, CA and the FACES for the Future program have had a long-standing partnership. Initially established several years ago with field trips, health education exposure and clinical skills training through the School of Nursing, the partnership has grown over time to include new and innovative projects. Currently, SMU students from the Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Programs serve as mentors to FACES students throughout the Bay Area. This year the partnership launched a pilot “Innovations in Simulation” project that exposed youth to the role of simulation learning in health professional training, and the campus has hosted a variety of FACES youth over the years including our summer and academic year programs. It is evident that SMU has a deep and abiding commitment to community service and to working with youth from diverse backgrounds to ensure they are given the opportunity to join the health care workforce. With equity and service at the core of our partnership, FACES wishes to honor the community of Samuel Merritt University - it’s students, faculty, staff and administration - by supporting a young person into the next steps of their journey to a health profession. Thank you, SMU!"

Brooke Briggance, Deputy Director, FACES for the Future Coalition