Hi there! First and foremost, I want to give a huge thank you to REAL Recognize REAL for selecting me as their Student of the Month. It is an honor to be chosen to share my experiences and provide insight for those interested in the medical field.
Let’s get the basics out of the way! I am 22 years old, and I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I am Filipino and can understand most Tagalog, but I’m currently working on the speaking part! I love to play basketball and volleyball, do anything outdoor water-related (boating, fishing, hiking), and play instruments (guitar and piano) along with songwriting! I am thankful to be blessed with the most loving and supportive family and friends. I wouldn’t be in the position I am without them. In elementary school and middle school, I was in the Gifted and Talented (GT) program. I began to take International Honors (IH) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes in 7th grade. My freshman year, I attended Garland High School under their IB program. At the end of my freshman year, I got accepted into the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) program at the University of North Texas (UNT), an early college program.
At 15 years old, I started college and graduated from the TAMS program in May of 2020. I continued my undergrad at UNT as an Honors College student on a TAMS to Eagles academic scholarship and graduated in May of 2023 with a B.A. in Biology and minors in Business and Chemistry. I decided to pursue a post-baccalaureate second undergrad degree and graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry in December of 2024. I worked PRN as a non-invasive cardiology tech at Methodist Hospital conducting stress tests and EKGs. In between all of that, I founded a medically focused nonprofit organization, H.A.R.T. Health Initiative in November of 2023 and it is still active thanks to my wonderful, hard-working team.
I am currently a first-year osteopathic medical student (OMS-1) at Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee. For those wondering what the difference between an MD and DO doctor is, let me clarify it simply. Similar to MDs, DOs can treat patients, specialize in any residency, and prescribe medications. The difference is that DOs have additional training to perform manual treatments similar to those that physical and occupational therapists use!
After I graduate medical school, I will complete a residency program that allows me to treat patients of all ages. I plan on opening a clinic with my sister who plans on becoming a dentist, possibly specializing in orthodontics, in an underserved area near our hometown. I will continue to advocate for healthcare accessibility and practice integrating science and compassion in patient care.
If you’ve read this far, I hope you were able to take something away from my academic journey. There are numerous times throughout my life when I have doubted myself and there will be plenty more. The important thing is to keep your head up, never quit, and remember why you’re striving to achieve your goals and aspirations. My dad introduced a poem to me called “The Fighter” by Samuel Ellsworth Kiser that I read whenever it feels like it’s getting too hard or question whether I am capable or not. I also listen to “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Just a couple things I wanted to share in case anyone else needs the motivation or the reassurance. You. Got This!!!
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