Introducing Chethaka Senarathne

Chet grew up in Van Nuys, completed high school at Van Nuys Senior High, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at UCLA as a non-traditional transfer student.

 

He has been one of the first patients of Dr. De Silva since the opening of the Van Nuys clinic. Noticing the high patient traffic, he took the initiative to volunteer as a medical assistant at the Van Nuys location after the pandemic. Having experienced the effects of the physician shortage firsthand as he grew up, Chet is determined to take action and bridge the gap in access to comprehensive primary care for his community members.

 

Recognizing his passion for serving the community, we appointed him as the Lead Program Coordinator. Chet single-handedly managed all student interactions. He presented the organization’s cause to students, recruited them, ensured they signed all necessary legal paperwork, and then trained them in clinic tasks. He also created the charting guidelines and trained the students on the charting flow. His primary goal was to expose aspiring physicians to the intricacies of practicing medicine in underserved areas. Chet noticed that many of his peers and the doctors he shadowed had never set foot in these communities and often held polarized views about the field of medicine. He strives to involve students in fostering a better future of culturally informed physicians.

 

Beyond his work with the foundation, Chet has also gained valuable experience as a medical assistant for a renowned dermatologist in Beverly Hills. He has conducted research in structural biology at UCLA, with his work recently published in the prestigious Cell Journal. Chet now aims to broaden his understanding of post-translational modifications and their therapeutic interventions at UCSF.

 

Chet is now applying to medical school programs, hoping to contribute further to the foundation and his community as a leader in medicine.