I am a 22-year-old Wichita native. Being Mexican American, I take immense pride in my heritage. I love cooking traditional Mexican dishes, preserving the flavors and traditions that have been passed down through generations. My love for cooking and my culture has inspired me to take a global perspective, expanding my culinary horizons and trying new foods from all over the world! I fear though, that I may have been a bit too inspired as in addition to being proficiently fluent in English and Spanish, I am learning Arabic.
Throughout my linguistic journey, I have gained appreciation for the importance of connection and being understood— especially in moments of vulnerability, like illness or pain. I serve as a medical interpreter for Spanish-speaking patients at the University of Kansas School of Medicine’s JayDoc Clinic; I do not see my role as simply about language but about fostering compassion, understanding, and shared decision making in healthcare. Working alongside medical students and volunteer attending physicians to provide free accessible healthcare to underserved communities has been a formative experience, strengthening my desire to pursue a career in medicine.
Beyond the clinic walls, I thrive in the chaos of the Emergency Department as a Lead Medical Scribe. I began working in the ED during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic; though I was anxious that the fear, uncertainty, and strain placed on healthcare workers by the pandemic would discourage me from becoming a physician— I was inspired by their resiliency. Learning about the management of critically ill patients and being in the room during successful resuscitations fueled an ambition in me to become an Emergency Medicine physician with a fellowship in Critical Care.
Currently, I am completing my Master of Science in Biomedical Science at my alma matter. I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Biology from Newman University this past spring of 2023. Though my studies have also sparked an interest in Infectious Disease, I am excited to see what the future holds!
I hope to attend medical school and become a physician who advocates for his patients and provides compassionate care. I envision myself not just diagnosing and treating but being light during a patient’s darkest times.
