HCC San Bernardino was initiated in 2021 as a partnership between the California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM) and local high schools, Colton High School and San Bernardino High School. 

The faculty sponsors of the program at CUSM are Dr. Sunny Nakae and Dr. Joél Arvizo-Zavala. The program manager is Élon Genêt.

The High School Program Leader at Colton High School is Kristin Griffith under the leadership of Principal Joda Murphy.

The High School Program Leaders at San Bernardino High School are Erin Wagner, John Wingo, and Joseph Salas under the leadership of Principal, Anna Sosa.

Health Career Collaborative 2026-2027 Medical Student Co-Directors:

Alysa is a second-year medical student raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Human Biology and Society from the University of California, Los Angeles. During her undergraduate years, Alysa worked with the Pilipino Recruitment and Enrichment Program where she mentored students from historically underserved communities throughout LA County about higher education. There, she saw how providing relevant resources to students empowered them to overcome systemic academic barriers. Before starting at CUSM, she spent 3 gap years as a research assistant at Stanford continuing pre-health mentorship and deepening her understanding of the interplay between science and medicine. Now, she continues to explore her passion with advocacy in medicine and clinical interests through various leadership roles in the Colton Free Clinic, Anesthesia Interest Group, and Filipinx-Americans in Medicine’s Bayanihan Project. After graduation, Alysa is eager to pursue her interest in anesthesia or internal medicine while incorporating mentorshipthroughout her training and career.

Born and raised in Southern California, Shaylen Zuniga is a first-generation, second-year medical student at California University of Science and Medicine (CUSM). In 2022, she graduated from the University of Redlands with a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology. She then took a gap year, during which she worked as a server and an emergency medicine medical scribe. In 2025, she completed a Master of Medical Sciences degree at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Currently, Shaylen serves as the president of both the Latino Medical Student Association and the Colton Free Clinic at CUSM. In her free time, she enjoys reading, binge-watching TV shows, and spending time with friends and family.

Emma Lalor is a second year medical student at California University of Science and Medicine. Originally from Orange County, Emma started college at Saddleback Community College and transferred to University of California, Berkeley to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology. Throughout college and during her gap year, Emma worked as an EMT in both Northern and Southern California. She now acts as a class representative and secretary for the Medical Student Council, as well as the secretary for CUSM’s Emergency Medicine Interest Group. With a main interest in emergency medicine and internal medicine, Emma volunteers often with CUSM’s Street Medicine and Free Clinics available to her surrounding community. Outside of school, Emma enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with her friends.

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Helia Aval is a second-year medical student at the California University of Science and Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, before completing a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at CUSM. Prior to medical school, she worked as a medical assistant in a private ophthalmology practice and gained clinical experience in both hospital and outpatient family medicine settings. Now, she serves as a Pathways Program Worker, volunteers with Vi Corp to promote health education among elementary school students, represents her class on the Honor Council, and is a Global Health Scholar with an interest in advancing health equity and improving health literacy worldwide. She is excited to continue expanding mentorship and educational opportunities for students interested in healthcare careers as Co-Director of the Health Career Collaborative. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, running, and traveling.

2023-24 Academic Year Photos

2022-23 Academic Year Photos