ACOM

What is the importance of nutrition?

After taking physiology of nutrition course, I found that diets were often pivotal factors in health outcomes. Further, the fact that the Mediterranean diet has consistently been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease is important to note because diet has an effect. Initiating changes in diet with regards to sodium and sugar can also decrease the incidence of diseases like HLD and DM

Convince me that you have the academic maturity to handle a medical school curriculum.

After undergrad, I completed a graduate certificate program where I completed about 33 credits in upper level science courses while also juggling extracurricular activities and even a part time job during the first module. I have also taken and successfully been able to study for a standardized exam such as the MCAT. Overall, through taking courses such as virology, microbiology and immunology I have been able to strengthen my scientific knowledge and solidify my study strategy.

What is one of your hobbies?

I absolutely love trying new restaurants with friends. Growing up and even now, my family makes it a point to have a formal dinner where we all sit together at the dinner table and share a meal to talk about our day. So I really enjoy this activity

What do you do for fun?

In my free time, you can catch me at the gym working out. It is extremely important for my mental and physical health. I am also an avid foodie, I love trying new restaurants and consider myself a brunch connoisseur. If I am not doing any of those things, I am catching up on a new show or movie and getting some rest

Who has influenced you the most?

My biggest influence in my personal life has been my mother. I lost her at 16 to breast cancer. She is one of the reasons I decided to pursue medicine. She is the person who has instilled all of the values of family and community that I hold near and dear to my heart today.

What is your biggest weakness?

My biggest weakness is asking for help. This was very much the case for me in undergrad. I was struggling in my science courses and did not really seek the help I should have. I could not identify what I was doing incorrectly in my studying and did not reach out at all. This has changed since graduating, at my post-bacc program any time I had a question I would raise my hand, talk to the professor after class, go to office hours or talk to peers. With age, I have learned there is no shame in asking for help and no need to shy away from it. No one is an expert on everything 100% of the time .

What is your favorite course?

My favorite course was primate behavior nonhuman to human. My professor had done a lot of research in the field and it was really interesting to hear all of the knowledge that she had gained about primates and their behavior. The different hierarchies that they had which are actually quite complex. It was definitely the most memorable course that i have taken

Who is your mentor?

My mentor would be Elba Munoz who was my prehealth advisor at my graduate program

Will you consider changing your career interests if you weren't accepted in medical school this year?

No, so I am very sure that medicine is the only path that I wish to pursue and therefore if I do not get into a school this cycle, I would apply again next cycle. I want also want to reach out to schools that I was interviewed at to see if there is something that I can do to improve my application, or if there was something in particular that prevented me from getting in

What was the hardest class you have taken?

Organic chemistry was the most difficult course that I have taken. I had to take it two times and only the second time around was I really able to understand how to study for it. It is one of those courses where it is not rote memorization but you have to be able to apply the concepts conceptually based on what you learned. It requires hours and hours of practice writing out mechanisms and things may not always make sense at first and I am thankful for the A- I was able to receive the second time around

Since I grew up in California, why not any california schools?

Since I have been here my whole life, I would prefer to move somewhere else for medical school and be exposed to a more diverse experience. Since I have stayed close to home for undergrad and also my graduate program, I believe that at this point in my life I am ready for a change.

What would you do if a patient without health insurance entered the ED?

That has actually happened at our ER multiple times, and of course they are offered care because that is there right

Give information on your research, if any?

-My first research project was in my junior year of college and where I had a computational role. I performed analysis genetic sequencing to determine the function of a gene named ZHX2. We confirmed through our research that ZXH2 confers atherosclerosis susceptibility in mice and is mediated by macrophages -My second project is where I was doing experiments and it was to understand the expression of a protein EMP2 in breast cancer versus normal breast tissue. My third project that I am working on currently is focused on neurodegeneration. We have been building microelectrical devices and perfusing endothelial cells and astrocytes of old and young mice to examine the effects of aging on the blood brain barrier

Tell me about yourself

-Name -Age -From Riverside, CA have lived here all of my life with the exception of undergrad and live here currently -daughter of two immigrants -first-generation college student -attended UCLA and majored in biology -about a year after graduating from undergrad I attended keck graduate institute where I completed a 9 month graduate post-baccalaureate certificate program -My hobbies include working out at the gym, trying new restaurants, and listening to music/watching tv shows and movies.

What is your opinion on the Affordable Care Act?

-Tackles the fact that those with a pre-existing condition were unable to receive coverage or it is very difficult to do so and many people did not have coverage at all. Medicaid expansion such that those with low income could get care rather than just low income AND a child etc. Pros: many more people have coverage Cons: penalty for not having insurance and it actually did not lower costs of healthcare for those not utilizing it but rather increased costs

Why ACOM?

-The strong curriculum at ACOM which is signified with the excellent match rates and complex pass rates -the close affiliation with Southeast medical center and the opportunities that come with that -I am passionate about the research opportunities at ACOM, specifically the summer research opportunities with faculty, the research elective. -the amenities for students such as the renovated simulation center - the interest group organizations and the global public health advocates club because I am passionate about preventative medicine. -the strong core values of Inspired and the diverse student population all will provide an excellent environment for me to receive my medical education

What do you know about osteopathic medicine?

-founded by physician Andrew Taylor still with 4 tenets with one being the body is a unit of mind, body and spirit, body is capable of self-regulation and self-healing , structure and function are related and rational treatment is based on those three factors. -Osteopathic medicine physicians as a whole have more knowledge than their allopathic counterparts on muscular somatic-related issues and being able to provide other treatment modalities such as OMM -they are able to use their hands to gain a deeper understanding of what's going on inside the body otherwise known as structural exams and using OMM to increase the body's natural ability to heal itself -whole person, holistic perspective to medicine and focusing on all parameters that affect the person and how a disease is unique to that person. - focused on prevention than the allopathic counerparts -Overall, those 200 hours of osteopathic manipulative medicine training provides another toolkit, specifically that is hands on technique focused on physical touch and manipulation to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases

Why osteopathic medicine?

-my pediatrician was a osteopathic physician (did not know at the time obviously but she was my first exposure to a physician and was an excellent physician and I credit her to myself having a positive experience in healthcare right off the bat) -next I began to learn about osteopathic principles through my own research -finally I was able to shadow two osteopathic physicians. I witnessed Dr. Huynh which is a physician I shadowed in family medicine apply OMT to a patient who was experiencing lower back pain and really provided relief for her. He was also extremely thorough in his physical exams and history taking. Further, in ophthalmology although he mainly treated patients through corrective procedures, I witnessed focused on each patient's comorbid conditions that could potentially affect their eyes or the outcome of their procedures. Osteopathic medicine's consideration of all aspects of health resonates with me. From my exposure to an excellent pediatrician in my childhood, learning about osteopathy through my own research in college, and shadowing osteopathic physicians after college, I know that pursuing osteopathic medicine is the only path for me.

If your friends were to describe you in two words, what would those words be?

-patient I have been through a lot of work experiences where my friends believed that I was more patient than they could have been and they have also seen me around my 3 year old sister -thoughtful because I love planning things for my friends whether its a bday party, celebrating an accomplishment or a bad day and cheering them up. Lastly, a realist, because I like to look at things the way they are rather than being hopeful or optimistic. My friends definitely describe me as the analytical or logical friend

Tell us about you MA experience

-worked at a gastroenterology clinic -most of the patient population was underserved and Spanish speaking -I performed the intake, obtaining their full medical surgical social, and family history. Obtaining the reason for their visit. I would also be responsible for submitting prior authorizations so on the insurance side, I was responsible for making sure prescriptions were called in obtaining and gathering lab work and biopsy results. I was also responsible for providing patient health education so that they could adequately prepare for upcoming procedures. This included inquiring about anticoagulant medications telling them to discontinue them, also included specific diet instructions and the bowel preparation instructions.

What was the hardest part of being a leader?

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Can you explain why you had low grades

As a first generation college student and nobody in my immediate or extended family attending medical or graduate school it was difficult looking for who to turn to. I lacked the guidance and the understanding of the expectations of a premedical student. After graduating undergrad, I really began to reflect on what habits would allow me to succeed. This was fostered by studying for the MCAT. After successfully taking the MCAT, I knew I was ready to start taking upper level science courses. I began to be able to juggle extracurriculars and even working part time as an MA while completing my graduate program. Overall, I went into college knowing I wanted to go to medical school but lacked direction. I have since retaken every course I ever received a C- in and am proud of the progress I have made.

Imagine yourself 10 years down the road as a practicing physician. How do you see technology playing a role in your patient care?

At the beginning of the pandemic, telemedicine has become more integrated in healthcare as a way to reduce risk and I see this as a service that is here to stay. I think that although there are limits to physical exam of course that it increases accessibility and convenience. I also see a greater advancement in technology for non-invasive procedures. Finally I see a greater advancement in research to discover more information about disease etiologies and treatments to improve efficacy.

How flexible, in terms of location, are you for completing your clinical rotations?

From my understanding, the rotation sites are all across Alabama with some in Florida as well. I am pretty much open to doing my rotations anywhere and do not have preferences on location at this point. And for the future, I do not see this changing at all

What's your most memorable patient interaction?

I actually wrote about this in my personal statement. When I was working at a gastroenterology assistant as an MA, we mainly served patients from low income backgrounds. One patient in particular needed an urgent endoscopy due to his symptoms. The patient's main concerns were regarding cost and coverage. As an MA I was able to look into his plan, submit an authorization to ensure that his procedure was covered. He was also concerned about transportation and missing his shift for work. I informed him of how I would actually be able to arrange a ride for him through his insurance. At the end of it all, he was able to get his procedure done without any issues and it was rewarding to see the small part I played in ensuring that he was able to.

What is your learning style?

I am a visual, reading and writing type of learner. I like to be able to write things out and need to see diagrams if possible. I also prefer to do most of my studying alone and then working with others to solidify concepts once I have an established understanding of the basic material. I also learn best by thinking about things sequentially. This is why I like ACOM's system based curriculum.

Why are you applying to ACOM?

I am applying to ACOM because of thee strong academic program that it has as exemplified by the excellent match and pass rates. I am thrilled by the opportunities provided by

What is a controversial topic in healthcare you feel passionate about?

I am passionate about bodily autonomy at the federal level regarding reproduction. I do not believe that it should be at the discretion of the state but at the human, individualized level. I believe that every individual has a nuanced worldview, circumstances and beliefs that shape their decision and ultimately they should be able to decide on a matter such as reproduction

In the last 50 years, how do you think healthcare has changed with regards to relationships between patients and clinical personal?

I believe that in the past a physician was seen as someone who is the sole possessor of knowledge. But there is greater autonomy amongst patients who have access to information online and are able to easily google up symptoms and understand what could be going on themselves. I see this as a positive thing that patients now hold more information. This makes decision-making a shared effort

How do you think such a big transition (distance) to ACOM will affect you?

I definitely would not apply somewhere I would not see myself living in. I believe that I am fully prepared to move. I have been in California my whole life and am extremely ready for a change. I am excited by all that Dothan has to offer. I am drawn by the small town appeal, low cost of living, and attractions such as the botanical gardens, landmark park, opera house and museums. Not only that but I am most excited by the community at ACOM and the Southern hospitality that I have heard so much about.

Do you have family in the area?

I do not have any family members in Alabama. However, I do have extended family over in Orlando Florida. I have only been able to visit them 2x so far but they come over to California quite a bit during the summer

What kind of medicine do you want to practice?

I want to be able to practice family medicine in the futre

Do you think you will have an issue with moving here and adjusting to life in Alabama?

I know that as a first year medical student there will be an adjustment to the study schedule, eestablishing a routine but as far as location, I do not see myself having any issues at all. In fact I am excited about the campus, the fact that it is affiliated with a medical center. I am excited about the attractions, as I have done a lot of research around the area and would love to go to landmark park, the botanical gardens and the opera house, and the small town environment. I am also excited about the fact that my peers are coming from such diverse backgrounds all over the United States and making new friends and establishing a support system in AL

Why do you think so many medical students have a drop in empathy level throughout their studies in medical school?

I think that a lot of this drop comes from burnout. The long hours into just studying for the first 2 years can cause this. However, if medicine is truly your fit and calling, the clerkship years should really indicate why you wanted to pursue medicine in the first place and to be around patients. At the end of the day, we are all human and perhaps for some medical students patient encounters where a patient is quite possibly having the worse day of their life and for them it has become more mundane. It is important to treat it as such, and emphasize the perspective of the patient first and foremost.

What will you do if you do not get into medical school this cycle?

I will continue to take another gap year. Focus on my scribe role, on my research project and volunteering experiences. I will also reach out to schools that I may potentially have received secondaires and interviews at to identify what are some ways to improve my application, are there any red flags and go from there

How will you handle burnout?

I will handle burnout, by making sure to notice the signs and not ignore the feeling. I will make sure to give myself adequate time to rest. I will also make sure to spend time with loved ones whether thats through a phone call or with my peers at the school. Making sure I allow myself to rest is important because that way I will come back recharge

What would you do if you caught a classmate cheating?

I would first confront the classmate privately to confirm what I suspected. I would give them the opportunity to explain. If they were up front about the matter, then I would go ahead and explain how I believe that their actions are against the school policy and values. I would also explain how it is a disservice to their capability, their peers, and the professor. Also, in the long run, learning the material rather than cheating is going to help you treat patients. Further, I would emphasize how the system is set up to help them and they can reach out for support from an academic counselor. If after speaking to them, they agree to admit to a faculty member then I would make sure to follow up about it to ensure they have. If they refuse to do so then I would have to tell them that it is my duty to tell a faculty member.

Why medicine?

When I was in middle school, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through her treatment, I began to spend a lot of time around physicians. I realized that I wanted to pursue a career where I would be making clinical decisions regarding a patient's treatment that can impact their quality of life. I also wanted to interact with patients and their families during what can be very vulnerable moments. By about junior year of high school, my mother transitioned to hospice care and passed away. I began to reflect on the importance of preventative care. My moms cancer was detected during the very later stage. I began to think about my father who has diabetes and high cholesterol and I really admired how his primary care physician managed all of his conditions and was really thorough about testing early on. This passion for prevention and screening followed me to college. I joined to organizations one where I could perform visual acuity screenings with underserved populations and another where I could perform electrocardiograms to screen for arrhythmias in teenage athletes to prevent the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest. I also became interested in joining a breast cancer research project where I examined aa protein expression in breast cancer. This experience really fostered the human connection of research and how I wanted to be able to contribute to evidence based medicine. After graduating, I took on various clinical roles, of note as a medical assistant and currently as a scribe which have taught me valuable lessons and confirmed my desire to pursue medicine. Finally, shadowing in family medicine and the idea of longitudinal patient relationships, focus on prevention and the gateway to medicine it provides showed me the type of work and impact I want to have in the future.