The LCOE APP at SFSU

Meet our Team


Dr. Kelechi Uwaezuoke, UCSF LCOE Faculty, SFSU SF BUILD Laison

Mentor. Master Encourager. Slayer of Toxic Thoughts. Student Whisperer. Professional Atmosphere Changer. These are but a few of the everyday superpowers Dr. Kelechi Uwaezuoke uses in her journey to Disrupt Inadequate Status Quos’ contributing to health inequities and the lack of representation in the health and STEM workforce. In her role as co-lead for the UCSF LCOE APP Program at SFSU,  Dr. Kelechi serves as a mentor and advisor and leads a 6 session summer workshop series that walks scholars through the process of exploring their personal narrative, overcoming Imposter Syndrome, the power of vulnerability and facing your fears as a tool for building self-agency and advocacy as they navigate their journey into the medical profession.

When asked to share a bit about her experience with APP she shared the following insights: “Working with APP affords me the opportunity to engage in my life’s work of mentoring, advising, equipping and supporting students who have been historically under-represented and face institutional and societal barriers to success. Despite these challenges, and against all odds, our APP scholars persist in ways that are nothing short of inspirational. The exposure, support, and community they contribute to and receive during the program serve as stepping stones that help them navigate the often rocky pathways to the career of their dreams. It’s hard to identify a single reason, but one of the things I enjoy most about being a part of the APP family is the sense of solidarity, and strength and having a front-row seat to the transformations that occur from the time we meet during interviews to the end of the summer and beyond. On a calendar it’s only “6 weeks” but in the scope of shifted mindsets and belief in oneself, it’s a timeless and priceless experience for our scholars and for the future of medicine and healthcare!”


Dr. Tomás Magaña, UCSF LCOE Faculty, Founder and Director of FACES

Tomás A. Magaña, MD, MA, FAAP is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF School of Medicine and Founder and Director of FACES. He is a leading expert in the design and implementation of health workforce pipeline programs for youth. Dr. Magaña is a board-certified pediatrician with clinical expertise in the care of vulnerable children and adolescents, including those impacted by the juvenile justice and foster care systems, immigration, and community violence. Dr. Magaña is a member of the LCOE Administrative Core Faculty and is the Director of the LCOE Aspiring Physicians Program at SFSU.


Sofia Ledesema, Fact Sheet Instructor 

Hello, my name is Sofia Ledesema, I am originally from the Bay Area and am pursuing my master’s in public health at UC Berkeley. I chose to work at APP (Aspiring Physicians Program) because I am passionate about supporting underrepresented students in higher education. I struggled with feeling supported and included in higher education when I began my undergraduate career. Programs like APP helped me gain a sense of community and belonging in higher education. I am also passionate about health communications and am excited to teach students about factsheets! I think students will benefit from APP by creating new connections with the APP staff, guest speakers, and fellow cohort members.

Specific to the fact sheet course, students will have the unique experience of applying what they learn to a relevant project. Students will create a deliverable through this project and gain experience partnering with a community-based organization. This will provide students with tangible skills they can apply to their work in the future. Although I am a relatively new team member, I enjoy working with all of the staff involved in the APP's programming. Everyone involved in the program is very supportive of one another. I already feel like a part of the APP community! I am thrilled to teach the fact sheet sessions this summer and join the LCOE APP team!


For more information on the UCSF San Francisco State Aspiring Physician's Program, please contact: 

Madison Rodriguez, Research Analyst
Email: [email protected]

Curriculum & Schedule

The 2024-25 APP program will host its six-week summer program from June 3 - July 12, 2024.

  • Introduction to health policy and writing fact sheets
  • Work with local community-based organizations
  • Introductory MCAT preparation
  • How to prepare medical school application and statement of purpose
  • Guest speakers and medical school panelists

2024 LCOE APP Info Session

Monday, November 13th (5:00-6:00 PM) - LINK TO THE RECORDING

2024 SFSU APP Application

SFSU Students - Apply HERE

SFSU Cohorts