Touro University California's The Current Touro University California

Dr. Maricel Dela Cruz, a Bay Area native who is a 2012 dual Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine/Master of Public Health graduate of TUC and practices in Solano County, shares her thoughts about the need to continue to add diversity among practitioners in the medical profession, as well as the importance of collaboration across specialties, and ongoing mentorship.

Dr. Kevin Carrasco is a 2013 dual PharmD-Master of Public Health graduate of the College of Pharmacy and College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California.



He serves as an Emergency Department Pharmacist at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona.



He describes a career arc that was strongly influenced by associations he made in the profession while still a student and early in his career, and encourages Pharmacy students to strive for their best at every turn because you never know when the impression you leave on others will pay dividends for you in the future.

Dr. Hugh Ngo is a 2013 dual PharmD-Master of Public Health graduate of the College of Pharmacy and the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He serves in Toronto as the Senior Medical Science Liaison in HIV with the Medical Affairs Department at Gilead Sciences Canada. He discusses the varied career paths for those who hold PharmD degrees as well as MPH degrees, and strategies for professional development through mentorship and networking.

Dr. Karis Clarke, Assistant Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences, Director of the Graduate School of Education, and a Professor for the GSOE program celebrates those who teach our children – as well as those who teach adults of all ages in various settings – during Teacher Appreciation Week. A series of GSOE alums share what motivates them as teachers, as well as their passion for the profession.

Lisa Marie Smith holds two Master’s Degrees in Education from Touro University California, one completed in 2016 and another in 2019 through the Graduate School of Education. She is a special education teacher in the St. Helena Unified School District, where she has served for 15 years. Smith co-owns a pair of businesses in Calistoga with her husband – and is not afraid to clown around when the time is right.

Natalie DuMont, who in 2020 earned her multiple-subject teaching credential trough Touro University California's Graduate School of Education, was raised with an appreciation of nature and later in life used that appreciation to support a career in environmental stewardship. Now she's teaching kindergartners in Vallejo, sharing with them her love of nature and the environment.