01/30/2026
Southwest Healthcare Palmdale Regional Medical Center held a White Coat Ceremony to announce the launch of the Mini Med Program at Quartz Hill Elementary School in collaboration with the CPASS Foundation. This innovative, year-long educational initiative will engage fourth- and fifth-grade students in an early introduction to medicine, science and healthcare careers.
Owned and developed by the CPASS Foundation, the Mini Med Program provides a structured curriculum designed to expose students to the foundations of becoming a physician. Southwest Healthcare Palmdale Regional Medical Center will implement the curriculum locally, partnering with its physician residency program to offer mentorship, real-world insight and age-appropriate medical education throughout the school year.
Originally established on the East Coast, the Mini Med Program’s expansion to Palmdale marks the first implementation of the CPASS Foundation curriculum on the West Coast, underscoring a shared commitment to educational equity, workforce development and community engagement.
“We are excited and honored to be part of the CPASS Foundation’s vision to introduce the passion of medicine to fourth- and fifth-grade students,” said Nana Deeb, chief executive officer at Palmdale Regional Medical Center. “This partnership allows us to bring meaningful, early exposure to healthcare careers to students in our community. Through this program, we are expanding access to inspiration, mentorship, and opportunity. We know this will help open the door to valuable inspiration and generate future doctors of America, with its inception right here in the Antelope Valley.”