“I want to be a voice for those who need one, and I’m committed to making a difference,” says new UC Irvine medical student Carla Vazquez Vergara.
Photo by Christopher Todd
Medical student Carla Vazquez Vergara feels a deep connection to her Southern California roots and has always wanted to stay close to the communities that shaped her.
“My first exposure to medicine came from accompanying my grandmother to low-income community health clinics in the Inland Empire," she says. "They were often underfunded, with bars on the windows and not enough seats for everyone in the waiting room.
"Despite these challenges, I took on the responsibility of interpreting for her, which sparked my interest in healthcare.”
Initially aspiring to be a teacher, Vasquez Vergara eventually realized that the role of physician seamlessly combined her love of teaching with her interest in medicine and desire to care for those in need.
Choosing her path
After graduating from Norco High School, she attended Chapman University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences in preparation for medical school. To best be able to serve the Latino community, Vazquez Vergara minored in Spanish.
On Aug. 9, Vazquez Vergara donned her first white coat in the official ceremony welcoming the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s class of 2028. The school's Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community (PRIME-LC) — which turns 20 this year — was the perfect next step in her quest to become a doctor.
“Orange County has a large Hispanic/Latinx community, and that’s a vital aspect of my identity,” Vazquez Vergara says. “Through UC Irvine’s PRIME-LC program, I can be a leader, an advocate and a culturally competent physician for the underserved. I want to be a voice for those who need one, and I’m committed to making a difference."
Eye on the future
As she prepares to begin her studies, Vazquez Vergara has not yet decided which specialty to pursue, but she's considering obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and gastroenterology.
In addition to excellent medical training, she’s looking forward to the many research opportunities that the UC Irvine School of Medicine offers. Of particular interest is conducting qualitative studies with community organizations, which Vazquez Vergara says will enable her to expand her network and help her grow as a physician.
“The reasons why I chose a career in medicine are clear: I’m driven by a purpose rooted in my early experiences, reinforced by my community connections and culture," she says. "As I continue my journey at UC Irvine, I’m excited to see where this path takes me.”
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