Dr. Summer Drake completed her undergraduate work with honors in Community Health Education at San Diego State University and was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award for academic achievement and service by the Graduate School of Public Health. She put her degree to work as a case manager and independent-living educator for mentally ill and mentally challenged adults. During this time, she advocated for a larger focus on preventive health care for her clients and worked directly with healthcare providers by accompanying clients to appointments, in-order to assist in creating a holistic picture of their day-to-day lives, medical history and establish a continuity of follow-up and care. Several of her clients were seen by osteopathic physicians, whom she developed genuine rapport and was ultimately inspired to become an osteopathic physician herself.
In 2006, Dr. Drake completed medical school in California at Western University and a Family Medicine residency at Downey Regional Medical Center, where she became Chief Resident.
She enjoyed working in private practice in the Los Angeles area before relocating to Shanghai, China. Dr. Drake became involved in NGO orphan care by medical advising, advocating and fostering orphans with severe birth defects and other medical needs. It was in China when Dr. Drake’s knowledge and understanding of HIV was put to the test. During her time caring for these babies, she gained direct knowledge of the difficult process for children with HIV to access care. The persistent misunderstandings and misinformation regarding HIV among healthcare workers, volunteers and the community at large, allowed her to offer education and insight. Dr. Drake’s experiences in China had a profound affect on her. Dr. Drake is eager to become a credible voice that helps create optimism, drive away stigma and not only manage HIV better, but become part of the force to help prevent and cure it.
Pursuing something worthy and enriching is what inspires Dr. Drake to be open to opportunity and take on challenges. She is grateful to be part of the HIV Fellowship and its community.
Education:
In 2006, Dr. Drake completed medical school in California at Western University and a Family Medicine residency at Downey Regional Medical Center, where she became Chief Resident.
She enjoyed working in private practice in the Los Angeles area before relocating to Shanghai, China. Dr. Drake became involved in NGO orphan care by medical advising, advocating and fostering orphans with severe birth defects and other medical needs. It was in China when Dr. Drake’s knowledge and understanding of HIV was put to the test. During her time caring for these babies, she gained direct knowledge of the difficult process for children with HIV to access care. The persistent misunderstandings and misinformation regarding HIV among healthcare workers, volunteers and the community at large, allowed her to offer education and insight. Dr. Drake’s experiences in China had a profound affect on her. Dr. Drake is eager to become a credible voice that helps create optimism, drive away stigma and not only manage HIV better, but become part of the force to help prevent and cure it.
Pursuing something worthy and enriching is what inspires Dr. Drake to be open to opportunity and take on challenges. She is grateful to be part of the HIV Fellowship and its community.
Education:
- Downey Regional Medical Center (DRMC) Family Medicine Residency Program
- Western University of Health Sciences
- California State University, Long Beach
- San Diego State University
- Texas A&M University