Session 583
Ellie, a Mexican American from San Francisco, discovered her passion for medicine during her residency application process. Tune in to this episode and learn the importance of bilingualism and cultural ties in healthcare.
For more podcast resources to help you with your medical school journey and beyond, check out Meded Media.
Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.
Ellie’s Interest in Medicine
Ellie’s journey to becoming a physician began at a young age. She was first inspired by learning about immunology and virology in her 7th-grade biology class, where a favorite teacher encouraged her to explore her interest in science further. This early exposure to the field of biology sparked Ellie’s curiosity.
At the age of 15, during a family dinner, Ellie told her parents that she wanted to become a doctor. She initially thought about going into dermatology until her focus quickly shifted to general medicine. Her decision to pursue medicine was self-driven, without pressure from her family. Her family’s goal was simply for her to have a job where she could support herself.
Ellie’s own experiences with her family’s health issues, including chronic illnesses like Parkinson’s and MS, motivated her to enter the field. She recognized the importance of having culturally competent and bilingual physicians to serve the Latino community, something she felt passionately about.
The Importance of Language and Cultural Competence in Healthcare
Ellie’s experiences highlight the profound impact that language and cultural competence can have on a patient’s healthcare experience and outcomes. As the only English-speaking member in her family, Ellie was often called upon to act as an intermediary between her family and healthcare providers.
This required her to not only translate between Spanish and English, but also to interpret complex medical terminology into layman’s terms that her family could understand. This multi-level translation process was extremely challenging for Ellie, both emotionally and mentally, during her family members’ healthcare experiences.
“These little levels of cultural exchange in moments where you realize that… they’re trusting you with a lot of scary things or things that they wouldn’t normally talk to people about
However, Ellie also noticed a significant difference in how patients responded when their healthcare providers spoke their native language, such as Spanish. Patients would visibly relax and be more willing to openly share information and ask questions when they could communicate directly with their provider. Ellie emphasizes the importance of cultural respect and using appropriate titles (e.g. Señor, Señora) when interacting with patients, as it helps build trust and rapport.
Navigating the Premed Path
Despite her early decision, Ellie did not have a clear understanding of the full premed journey and what it would entail. She focused more on finding a college that was a good fit for her, rather than specifically looking for schools with strong pre-health programs.
Ellie’s main priorities were attending a UC school or going to college in Boston, as those were the options she was most familiar with.
As Ellie progressed through her undergraduate studies, she faced some discouragement from advisors and peers who doubted her ability to make it into medical school. However, Ellie remained determined and focused on her goal, driven by her internal passion for the field.
The Hardest Thing About Her Premed Journey
Balancing the pressure to be “perfect” with her own desire to explore her interests and passions was a significant challenge for Ellie during her premed years. Ellie had to navigate the tension between meeting the perceived expectations of medical school admissions and staying true to her own interests and learning goals. This balance was one of the hardest aspects of her premed journey.
Ellie held very high standards but also felt pressure from her peers who were constantly “freaking out” about grades and trying to be perfect. Ellie found that many of her premed peers were solely focused on checking boxes and doing what was stereotypically seen as good for medical school applications.
In contrast, Ellie wanted to truly learn and make connections. She engaged in activities like student government and advocacy work that were not necessarily viewed as traditional premed activities. Ellie’s advisors initially discouraged some of the extracurricular pursuits she was passionate about, until she found an advisor who supported her more holistic approach.
The Representation of Minority Students in Advanced Premed Coursework
As Ellie progressed through her undergraduate studies, she realized there were “much fewer of us” – referring to Latino/Hispanic students – in her upper-division courses. This realization highlighted the stark underrepresentation of minority students, particularly Latino/Hispanic individuals, in the advanced science and premed coursework. Ellie’s experience made her acutely aware of the lack of diversity in the pipeline towards medical school and the medical profession.
In response, Ellie decided to pursue a minor in Spanish. This allowed her to more deeply connect with her cultural identity and find a supportive community of faculty and peers who shared similar backgrounds and experiences.
Ellie’s Application Experience
Applying to Medical School Once
Ellie applied to medical school only once. She was determined to take the MCAT exam just once as well. After realizing she had misunderstood the MCAT deadlines, Ellie decided to take a gap year after graduating from college to prepare her application.
Ellie balanced her premed responsibilities with a full course load and extracurricular activities during her final year of college. She utilized a detailed Google Calendar and physical planner to manage her time effectively, prioritizing her commitments.
The Emotional Toll of the Application Process
Ellie described the application process as a “whirlwind” that took a significant emotional toll. She would often stay up late into the night working on her application materials while also trying to maintain her academic and extracurricular obligations.
Despite the challenges, Ellie remained organized and prepared throughout the application cycle. She created a detailed spreadsheet to track the schools she was applying to, their specific programs, and the status of her application materials.
Maintaining Passion and Balance
Ellie acknowledges that while her premed responsibilities could be stressful at times, she is “super passionate” about everything she does. This passion helps to fill her up and sustain her, even when the demands of medicine become overwhelming.
Pursuing an MPH
One of the reasons Ellie was adamant about including an MPH (Master of Public Health) in her medical school application was to have that additional time and flexibility away from the rigors of medical school. She saw the MPH as a way to maintain balance and nurture her other interests and passions.
Ellie’s Intentional Application Strategy
Ellie was proactive in communicating her intention to pursue an MPH as part of her medical school application. She made it clear to the schools that if they accepted her, she would be taking time off to complete this additional degree. This strategic approach demonstrates Ellie’s self-awareness and her commitment to finding ways to sustain her passion and well-being throughout her medical training.
By incorporating the MPH into her plans, Ellie was able to ensure she had an outlet and opportunity for growth outside of the core medical curriculum.
Ellie’s Interview Experience
The Excitement of the First Interview
Ellie vividly remembers receiving the email notification that she had been offered her first medical school interview. She was visiting family in Mexico at the time, and upon seeing the email, she immediately started screaming and running downstairs to tell her family. Ellie was overjoyed that the process was finally moving forward and that she had the opportunity to interview at a medical school.
Sharing the News with Family
Ellie’s family had been closely following her application process, watching her work on the applications every night. When Ellie shared the news of her first interview, her family was equally excited and proud of her accomplishments so far. Ellie describes the experience as a “whirlwind” and says the novelty of it never really wore off for her.
Continued Enthusiasm
Even when Ellie received her second acceptance from UC Davis, she was just as enthusiastic and eager to share the news. She tried to call the school repeatedly, even while in an airport, determined to speak with them directly about the acceptance.
Ellie’s Top Tip for Navigating the Medical School Application Process
Ellie’s number one tip for managing the medical school application process, looking back, was to stay highly organized.
Staying Organized is Key
Ellie emphasizes that she was a “very big spreadsheet person” during the application cycle. She created a detailed spreadsheet to keep track of the schools she was applying to, any specific programs within those schools, the status of her secondaries, interview invitations, and more.
Having this centralized system allowed Ellie to stay on top of the numerous moving parts and deadlines involved in the application process. She could quickly reference the information she needed and ensure she was prepared for each step.
Ellie also complemented her digital organization with a physical planner, where she would meticulously schedule out her tasks and commitments. This dual system of digital and analog organization helped Ellie feel in control during the intense application period.
By maintaining such a high level of organization, Ellie was able to navigate the chaos of the medical school application process with greater ease. She emphasizes that this attention to detail and having a clear system in place was crucial for her success.
Ellie’s top tip for aspiring medical students is to prioritize organization from the very start of the application journey. Developing an effective system to track deadlines, materials, and progress can make a significant difference in managing the stress and demands of this critical process.
Navigating the Daunting Cost of Medical Education
Ellie acknowledges that the potential debt associated with medical school was a significant consideration for her, especially given her immigrant family background. Many in her community cannot fathom taking on that level of debt.
Securing Scholarships and Grants
One of the key reasons Ellie chose to attend UCSF for medical school was the financial benefits it offered. By living at home in San Francisco, Ellie was able to avoid the high cost of housing and living expenses that many medical students face.
Ellie was also proactive in seeking out scholarships and grants to help offset the cost of her medical education. She was awarded the PRIME Equity Scholarship from UCSF, which covers her fourth-year tuition. Additionally, Ellie received a grant from the retiring dean of admissions, further reducing her financial burden.
The Importance of Financial Support
Ellie recognizes that the financial aspect of medical school can be a major barrier, especially for underrepresented minority students. She emphasizes that the scholarships and grants she received allowed her to pursue her dream of becoming a physician without the added stress of overwhelming debt.
Ellie’s strategic approach to minimizing costs and securing scholarships was crucial in enabling her to focus on her studies and training.
Getting Her First Acceptance
Ellie’s experience of receiving her first medical school acceptance was an incredibly exciting and emotional moment. Ellie vividly remembers receiving the acceptance email from the University of Michigan on October 14th, a significant date in the medical school application process. She was not expecting good news, as she had been told that emails around that time were typically rejections.
When Ellie opened the email and saw that it was an acceptance, she was overjoyed and immediately started screaming and running downstairs to share the news with her family. The novelty of this moment never wore off for her, and she was thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with her loved ones.
Sharing the Acceptance with Family
Ellie’s family had been closely following her application process, and they were equally excited and proud when she shared the news of her first acceptance. Her family had supported her throughout her journey, and this acceptance was a validation of Ellie’s hard work and determination.
Tying for First Choice
Ellie also received an acceptance from UC Davis, which she tied with the University of Michigan as her top choice. She describes the experience of getting these two acceptances as a “whirlwind,” as she was trying to connect with the schools and share her excitement.
Finding LMSA During the Interview Process
Ellie first encountered the Latino Medical Student Association or LMSA during her medical school interview cycle. She was invited to attend a dinner hosted by the LMSA chapter at the school, and she found it to be a welcoming and supportive space. This introduction to LMSA left a lasting impression on Ellie.
Becoming an Active Member at UCSF
When Ellie started medical school at UCSF, she became heavily involved with the LMSA chapter there. The organization provided valuable support and guidance to Ellie and her fellow first-year students, helping them navigate the transition into medical school.
Ellie’s LMSA chapter organized regular Zoom meetings and panels to address common questions and concerns. They also provided a sense of community during the isolating COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hispanic and Latinos are often very underserved in medicine overall, and have very specific needs that are oftentimes under-addressed.”
Mentorship and Leadership Opportunities
Ellie’s LMSA mentors encouraged her to take on leadership roles within the organization, recognizing her passion and skills. This led Ellie to become the representative for her regional LMSA branch and eventually, the National President of LMSA.
Advocating for Premed Students
As National President, Ellie is focused on expanding LMSA’s support for premed students. The organization offers resources like mentorship, mock interviews, and application assistance to help increase the pipeline of underrepresented minority students entering the medical field.
Ellie’s involvement with LMSA has been a central part of her journey. It provided her with a supportive community, leadership opportunities, and a platform to advocate for greater diversity and representation in medicine.
Starting an LMSA+ Chapter
Premed students can start an LMSA+ chapter at their school with just one student and one faculty advisor. LMSA believes strongly in the power of mentorship, so these chapters provide a way for premeds to connect with the organization.
Accessing LMSA Resources
Pre-medical students can become members of LMSA and take advantage of the various resources the organization offers, such as:
- Mentorship programs
- Mock interviews
- Application review and assistance
LMSA also has specific programming chairs dedicated to supporting premed students, like Dalio Rivera and Victoria Rojas.
Attending the LMSA Conference
LMSA holds an annual conference that is open to both medical students and premed students. This provides a great opportunity for pre-meds to connect with the LMSA community, attend workshops, and seek mentorship.
Final Words of Wisdom
Remember Your “Why”
Ellie emphasizes the importance of remembering your original motivation for pursuing medicine. For her, it was the experiences of her grandparents and other family members dealing with chronic illnesses. Reminding yourself of that core reason can help you stay centered during challenging times.
“You’re on this journey because you’re trying to be a doctor that you would want for them… what kind of doctor would that be?”
Reflect on How Far You’ve Come
Ellie reminds her younger self that her 15-year-old self would be proud of where she is now, despite the difficulties along the way. Acknowledging your progress and growth can provide encouragement to keep going.
Focus on Serving Your Community
Ellie’s driving force has always been her desire to serve her Latino community and make healthcare more accessible and culturally competent. Keeping that mission in mind can help sustain your passion for the field.
Be Proud of Your Accomplishments
Finally, Ellie encourages pre-medical students to take pride in their achievements, no matter how small they may seem. The journey is challenging, and celebrating your successes is important for maintaining momentum.
Links:
Latino Medical Student Association {LMSA)
National Hispanic Health Foundation
