The UC Riverside School of Medicine’s Program in Medical Education (PRIME) – Leadership Education to Advance Diversity (LEAD): African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Program has received the 2026 Civic Engagement and Community Service Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, the largest and oldest publication defining and advancing best practices in higher education. 

The award recognizes institutions’ innovative service and community collaboration in volunteerism, fundraising efforts for community causes, advocacy and public education, civic participation, voter engagement, and more.

“Our PRIME LEAD ABC program trains socially conscious medical students who are committed to advancing health equity and providing high-quality, culturally congruent care in Inland Southern California,” said Dr. Adwoa Osei, director of the UCR PRIME LEAD ABC program and a pediatrician at UCR Health, the clinical arm of the UCR School of Medicine.

Specifically, the UCR PRIME LEAD ABC program produces physicians who can address the healthcare needs of African, Black, and Caribbean communities in Inland Southern California. Each year, six students are admitted to participate in specialized educational and clinical experiences focused on equitable care for ABC communities. 

The program is open to all qualified applicants regardless of background and begins with a two-week summer immersion before the academic year. Students work with ABC clinicians and organizations throughout their training.

Michelle Burroughs, director of community engagement and outreach for the UCR Center for Healthy Communities and faculty lead for community engagement and partnerships for the UCR PRIME LEAD ABC program, said the award affirms what the PRIME LEAD ABC scholars are taught: medicine is not only practiced in clinics and hospitals, but in neighborhoods, faith spaces, community centers, and wherever trust is built.

“This recognition from Insight Into Academia reflects the collective work of our students, faculty, and community partners who are deeply committed to advancing health equity for African, Black, and Caribbean communities,” she said. “We are proud the UCR School of Medicine continues to lead nationally in preparing physicians who view community engagement as essential to improving outcomes and closing persistent health gaps.”

According to Insight Into Academia, the UCR PRIME LEAD ABC program stood out for “the great value it brought to the community, as well as the invaluable experience it gave to the students who co-created, facilitated, co-delivered, and co-evaluated it.” For community members, the program fosters a deep sense of trust and reinforces that their experiences, voices, and concerns are valued. For students, it offers an opportunity to learn directly from the people they serve.   

The UCR PRIME LEAD ABC program is one of 10 UC PRIME programs across eight campuses, including the six UC schools of medicine. All focus on addressing health care workforce shortages and meeting the needs of California’s communities. UC PRIME began at UC Irvine in 2004.

The UCR PRIME LEAD ABC program will be featured, along with 51 other programs, in the April 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.

“These institutions remind us that the true measure of higher education lies not only in the degrees awarded, but in the lives they uplift,” said Holly Mendelson, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “Their leadership strengthens communities, inspires students, and sets a standard of excellence for all.”