The digital world has transformed how we connect, learn, and share our stories. For years, I hesitated to embrace social media as a platform for mentorship, reluctant to step into the role of that influencer. But the reality is clear, if we don’t adapt, evolve, and take up space in these digital spaces, we risk being left behind. As we advance in our careers, particularly in medicine and science, our communities become less represented, and the relatability gap continues to grow.

As a Latino, first-generation student from a low-income background, I know firsthand the barriers to breaking into these fields. My journey has been filled with challenges, but with each milestone, I have committed to lifting others as I climb. My passion for mentorship began in high school when I became a coach for the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program in 2010. As I navigated my own educational path, I saw the need for guidance and support among students like me. Over the years, I have mentored at every stage, high school, college, post-grad, and the medical school application process, helping students from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their goals.

As I progressed, my mentorship expanded to a national level. I became an invited speaker for Mappd’s National Pre-Med Day, where I delivered my talk, From Hood to MD, detailing my non-traditional path to medical school. I later served as a keynote speaker for Rush University Medical Center’s RU Ready Med School program, discussing the challenges of underrepresentation in medicine. My advocacy work led to panelist roles at national conferences, including the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Southwest Regional Pre-Med Panel and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Virtual Medical School Fair, where I spoke on the power of mentorship, advocacy, and social media in guiding underrepresented students.

Beyond speaking engagements, I have contributed to written publications and op-eds aimed at educating and inspiring aspiring healthcare professionals. My story has been featured in Harvard Catalyst’s newsletter, where I discussed clinical research, diversity in medicine, and mentorship, as well as on platforms like Stepping Stones 2 Medicine (SS2M), Without the White Coat (WTWC), Latinx en Medicina, and Thalia’s Medicine. I have also shared my insights on podcasts, including The PreMed Years Podcast (MSHQ) and Who Gave This Girl a Mic, discussing resilience, breaking barriers, and redefining success.

Through these experiences, I have remained deeply committed to mentoring, advocating for, and uplifting students from disadvantaged backgrounds who aspire to careers in medicine and science. But I also recognize that I am just one person with only 24 hours in a day. No matter how much I want to, I can’t mentor everyone individually. To expand my reach and provide more structured support beyond our very limited time in these prior events, I created From Hood to MD, LLC., a mentorship and coaching platform dedicated to guiding students through college, pre-med, the medical school application process, and beyond.

A major inspiration for this platform comes from the lack of mentorship, visibility, and relatability in medical education. There aren’t enough medical professionals and mentors who look like us, who understand our struggles, and who can truly relate to our experiences. From Hood to MD, Inc. was built to change that, to create a space where students from underserved backgrounds can access the mentorship, guidance, and resources they deserve.

Now, it’s your turn. Let’s get started, I’m here to help.