The Bera College was introduced in the Spring of 2004, with full implementation when the Class of 2008 began medical school. Students voted on a permanent name for the College and chose Iakona which means healer in Hawaiian.

The initial group of students based the college upon four principals: 

  • Service
  • Professional and personal development
  • Scholarly activities
  • Creation of community

The college is organized into families with the College Director and 4 Career Advisors being the head of each family with approximately 20 students (5 MS1, 5 MS2, 5 MS3, 5 MS4).

The Iakona College Council meets on a monthly basis and plans community service and social events.

College Director:
Colleen Sweeney, Ph.D.
Email: casweeney@ucdavis.edu

Career Advisors:
Raminder Gill, M.D.
Jose Morfín, M.D.
Alison Semrad, D.O.
Francis Sousa, M.D.