Biography:

I was born in Laredo, Texas, but I was raised in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. We moved back into the United States, so my brother and I could have opportunities for success. I thank my family every day for all they sacrificed for our dreams. My parents did not have college degrees, so I am a first-generation college student. Growing up, I was set on becoming an actress. I had written off becoming a doctor because I thought that it was a boring career. When I was fifteen, I volunteered at a hospital with my friend. I was allowed to shadow a pathologist while I was there. I saw how passionate the pathologist was for the wellbeing of the patient. To see someone so selfless was extraordinary. From then on, I knew that I was going to become a doctor. I currently attend Texas A&M University completing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with a minor in Performance Studies. Through my studies, my passion for medicine has grown immensely. I have learned that aside from saving people’s lives, I want to be a doctor that has an outreach to my Hispanic community in Laredo and give them the help that they need. I know how important it is to have someone believe in your dreams, and I want to be that person for the kids that have the same hopes as I did. When I got accepted to JAMP, I did not know the immense opportunity that it would be for me. I was completely lost with the process, and they helped me with everything. Throughout this journey, JAMP was always there making sure that we were all prepared for what was ahead, and I am eternally grateful for that. I just got accepted to Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, and I am so excited to begin this new journey.

How has JAMP helped you strive to achieve your goal of becoming a doctor?

JAMP provides us with so many opportunities because they want to see us succeed. The internships they provide not only help you grow academically, but they help you grow socially as well. Coming back from these internships, I always felt so enriched with all the new information I had gained. They taught us various skills that we will use for the future like CPR, making casts, how to direct a patient visit, and so much more. They provide us with a whole new perspective on how to view the world in order to be successful in medical school. Aside from the academic aspect, the internships prepared me socially. Coming out of this, I was able to feel comfortable in front of people when speaking about medicine or science in general. Not only that, JAMP gives us Kaplan courses and MCAT prep books. This took off so much pressure financially because I would not have been able to buy all of it on my own. JAMP provided me with so many tools that I otherwise would not have been able to get.

 

 

What advice would you like to offer current or future JAMP students?

Some advice I would give future students is that if you are planning to apply to JAMP, do it. When I was applying, I kept doubting myself, but I’m glad that everyone in my life encouraged me to apply to this amazing program because it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. For current students, enjoy every second of your internships and don’t take them for granted. Get to know the mentors and the preceptors there because they have been in your spot before and you can learn so much from them. I made lifelong friends and connections through these internships, so I would say take full advantage of everything that is given to you.

 

What aspect of JAMP has been most beneficial to you?

One of the most beneficial things that I received from JAMP was the guidance they provided throughout all of the journey to medical school. This journey can be so daunting, and JAMP really provided amazing mentors throughout the internships that really helped me with questions that I had. Along with mentors, the JFDs are all amazing. They care so much for you, and all they hope is for your success. JAMP is like a family, and their encouragement and help throughout the years have really made an impact in my life.