My name is Abigail, I am a third-year, first-generation college student at SFSU studying biology with a concentration in Physiology. My dream is to become a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. I was first inspired by the art and precision of plastic surgery itself, but as time has passed, I’ve grown more passionate about how this field can be used to solve evolving challenges. Coming from a family with a history of diabetes, I’ve seen the real struggle of wounds that won’t heal due to advanced diabetes, testing new methods in development, and I’ve also become deeply interested in how we can support children born with deformities. Beyond the medical side, I want to help people feel comfortable in their bodies by offering gender-affirming care, and support anyone working to improve their self-image. I take great pride in my precision and high standards because I have the fundamental internal motivation to do precisely what I envision, no matter how long it takes. I bring this passion and care for every goal I take on, and I hope to carry that into my future as a surgeon who positively impacts people's lives.
My name is Estrella, I am a first- generation Latina majoring in Psychology witha minor in Biology. I am a proud Latina born and raised in Santa Cruz. I look forward to graduating and continuing my path to becoming a psychiatrist. My passion for Psychiatry is rooted from my own experience as a first-born being raised in a Latino household. I know what it’s like to grow up in a culture that doesn’t believe in mental health, but more importantly don’t have resources available for them. Language barriers hold us back and causes discomfort. I want to be a doctor that can connect with Latinx parents/children and break the stigma around mental health in our culture. Mental health is highly overlooked, especially in children because their parents have trouble seeking healthcare due to health disparities. Without trust between a patient and their provider there is no connection, which is why I am very excited to attend this program so I can learn from others and create beautiful connections that will guide me through my journey, allowing me to gather new skills and opportunities that will help my future patients!
My name is Fabiola, I am a proud first-generation Latina and current senior pursuing a double major in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Psychology, and minor in Spanish and Biology. My dream is to become either a physician or a therapist. Like many in immigrant families, I often found myself translating documents and interpreting for my parents during medical visits. These experiences opened my eyes to the barriers underrepresented communities face, in accessing quality healthcare. We often relied on small community clinics. While those clinics were essential, they lacked the resources and comprehensive care given in larger facilities. With my background in business, I aspire to one day open a clinic that provides affordable and equitable healthcare to low-income families. However, if I pursue the path of becoming a therapist, I hope to establish a center focused on children’s mental health, a facility that functions like a daycare, where emotional and psychological support is prioritized. My goal is to be an advocate and a resource for the communities that shaped me, empowering future generations through healthcare, education, and compassionate leadership.
My name is Cassandra, I am a first-generation college student and a third-year Latina majoring in Biology with a concentration in Physiology and a minor in Chemistry. I’m from the Central Valley. My goal is to become a pediatrician, although I’m also open to family medicine or surgery. I’ve been drawn to a career in medicine for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I would often accompany my mom to her doctor’s appointments and noticed how confused and overwhelmed she seemed afterward. She often left those visits with unanswered questions and little understanding of her condition. Those experiences opened my eyes to the challenges that many patients from similar backgrounds face feeling unheard, misunderstood, and left without clear explanations. That’s what drives me to pursue medicine. I want to help change that experience. I want my future patients to feel seen, supported, and informed, no matter what their background or the language they speak.
My name is Graciela Bejarano, I am a rising junior majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Latina/o Studies. Coming from a Mexican family, I have witnessed firsthand the negative effects of language barriers and the feeling of being unheard in healthcare settings. These experiences have fueled my passion for becoming part of the 6% Latino physician community and increasing Chicano representation in medicine. I am especially committed to serving underserved and historically marginalized communities. I want to become a physician who not only provides excellent care but also listens with empathy and cultural understanding. By combining my scientific training with my lived experiences, I hope to make healthcare more inclusive and equitable. My academic journey has sparked a deep interest in the human brain, inspiring me to pursue a career in neurosurgery. Ultimately, I want to be a role model for other students of color who dream of entering the medical field.
Hi everyone, my name is Elvin Sanchez Segundo. I'm a sophomore at SFSU majoring in Biochemistry. I have been in San Francisco my whole life, and my goal is to become a family physician so that I can advocate and support my patients’ health. My family and coworkers oftentimes don’t feel comfortable going to the doctor, nor do they feel like the medical system can be trusted. I want to gain my patients' trust where they can regularly come to see me and tell me honestly about their health problems and talk about their concerns without the fear of being judged or targeted.
My name is Jason, I am a first generation rising senior at SFSU majoring in Biology with a minor in Race & Resistance Studies. My passion to pursue medicine was a combination of my mom’s diagnosis of stage four lymphoma and growing up in Pinole. We experienced health disparities given my community’s low- income status. As half Ethiopian and half Fijian, I’m committed to empowering the marginalized communities I come from as incoming President of Black Excellence in STEM (BE-STEM) as well as improving health out- comes as a volunteer with Dr. Dayna Long, a pediatrician, who was the founder of the UCSF Black Love Opportunity & Outcome Improvement in Medicine (BLOOM) Clinic. Ultimately, I aspire to be a physician who runs their own specialized clinic like BLOOM and does clinical research focused on giving back to the underserved.
My name is Justin, I am a Filipino 4th year majoring in Biology with a Concentration of Microbiology and a minor in Chemistry and Public Health. I am from South San Francisco and my goal is to become a Family Medicine Physician. I’ve always been drawn to medicine that looks at the whole person, not just the symptoms. In my experiences with the healthcare system, I’ve often felt a disconnect between me and my doctors. This is something I hope to change as a future physician as I aim to one day create generational relationships with my patients. Additionally, I want to promote the importance of health and wellness in underrepresented communities as there is often a lack of access to healthcare in these communities. With a deep commitment to holistic care and health equity, I am dedicated to becoming a compassionate physician who not only treats illness but also empowers communities to thrive.
My name is Katherine, I am a first-generation student in my 3rd year majoring in Biology with concentration in Physiology and a minor in Health Education. I was born and raised in San Francisco and my career goal is to become a dermatologist. I am interested in pursuing a medical career to give back to my community, provide quality treatment, and make them feel they are getting the best health treatment. I grew up in a community where people had health conditions but feared going to the doctor because they felt they would leave unsatisfied. I knew from that moment that I had to make a difference to ensure my community received proper medical care. I was able to witness how my Latinx community worked in environments where their skin was suffering, and I always wanted to advise my community how important it is to take care of their skin. These experiences led me to want to become a doctor and to provide medical care for my community. I have always told myself, my community needs to feel they are in good hands and not fear they will be misunderstood.
My name is Kaique Nunes, I am a bilingual/bicultural Brazilian American scholar pursuing a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry at SFSU, where I will graduate in Fall 2026. As a first-generation college student, my path to higher education has been shaped by resilience, purpose, and a deep commitment to serving others. My long-term goal is to dedicate my career to cancer research and treatment as a neuro- surgical oncologist, focusing on advancing care and expanding access in underserved communities. This path was shaped by personal experiences navigating illness in my family and witnessing the gaps in access to quality care. I am passionate about combining science and clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients facing life-threatening diseases. My passion for medicine is also rooted in the greater need for representation, just 6% of U.S. physicians are Latino, and I am committed to being part of the change that brings more voices like mine into the field.
My name is Kyaw Hman but you can call me Samson. I am currently a third-year undergraduate at SFSU, majoring in microbiology and biochemistry with a minor in history. I was born and raised in Myanmar. My dream career is to be a surgeon with a specialty in neurosurgery. My motivation to pursue medicine comes from having to take care of my aunts and my grandma, people with multiple health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and hypertension. I have accompanied them to medical visits and translated their onset conditions and if it was an ER visit, explaining to the nurse or the doctor my relative’s medical history, I’ve seen how tedious the process can be and how it could be even harder for people with less resources. Coming from a third world country, my relatives and people in my community have a stigma and fear against surgical procedures due to lack of access to care and education. These experiences motivate me to help other patients who are in similar predicaments by pursuing a career in the field of surgery and give people a better experience when it’s already a stressful situation for them.
I am LizSandra Gallegos. I am a first-generation, 2nd year Latina student majoring in Biology with a concentration in Physiology. I am from San Francisco and aspire to become the first doctor in my big and alegre Mexican family. I grew up surrounded by healthcare professionals due to my family’s experience with health issues; this sparked my passion for the biomedical field. I want to advocate and help individuals seek medical attention and help change health policies to benefit low-income and minority communities. After witnessing and helping my parents with their serious health conditions, I desire to care for others. My mom and dad weren’t educated on health issues such as diabetes or the severity of blood clots when experiencing a sprain. That’s why it’s significant to be informed about precautions to prevent others from developing related symptoms. Given these aspirations, I wish to impact the field of medicine. Especially as a first-generation college student and Latina who aspires to become a doctor, demystifying and growing our representation in medicine. ¡Que viva la raza ajua!
My name is Laila Cato. I am a junior majoring in Public Health at SFSU. I am from San Francisco and my career goals are to pursue a career in medicine/healthcare. This pursuit is driven by a desire to help those from vulnerable and low-resource populations. Additionally, I grew up in a community that was overlooked and not listened to when it came to their healthcare needs. Many in my community have mistrust or even fear of what might happen if they seek help from doctors or nurses. This is why pursuing medicine is important to me because I want to be the doctor that patients feel safe with and trust. Ultimately, I want to be the bridge that connects the lived experience of patients to high quality healthcare and outcomes.
Hello, my name is Melanie Magallanes Honesto. I am a second-year student majoring in biology with a concentration in physiology with minors in Latina/o Studies and Spanish. I am from Antioch and a first-generation student. My career goal is to be a physician scientist or a trauma surgeon. Growing up, I would often translate conversations for my family during medical appointments. These experiences gave me an early glimpse into the challenges many Latinx individuals face in healthcare settings. They also opened my eyes to the disparities that exist beyond language barriers that affect the quality of care and respect patients receive. I am committed to making sure every patient, regardless of their background, feels heard, seen, and receives the care they deserve. Contributing to patient care in this way is something l am deeply passionate about.
My name is Mina. I am a first-generation college student entering my senior year, majoring in Public Health with a minor in Biology. I was born and raised in San Francisco. As a proud Cham descendant from a refugee family, I aspire to become the physician who represents and stands with underrepresent- ed communities. My background opened my eyes to the health disparities that exist, but it also taught me that real change begins when people are seen and heard. I hope to build a future where trust, compassion, and representation are at the heart of healthcare.