Being the representation in healthcare

Escrito por: Dulce Ortiz 🇬🇹

Headshot of Kendra Jimenez. (Emelyn Gomez)

Kendra Jimenez knew she wanted to make a change in the Latino community, but “the how” was the hard part.

Mientras vivía en el condado de Montgomery, notó que su ambiente era culturalmente diverso, pero no estaba académicamente avanzado. 

"My dad has always emphasized the importance and privilege it is to go to school,” said Jimenez. “Thankfully, I kept that in mind and have always tried pushing myself forward to take as many hard classes as I can.”

For this reason, Jimenez participated in her first internship with the National Institutes of Health during high school. Not only did it pique her interest in what she wanted to pursue, but it also became a motivator.

“We need to have more internships that are like this—that promote inclusivity and motivate students of different cultural backgrounds and different backgrounds in general, just because those words are so important to someone, especially if you don’t have a support system,” she added.

The only person in her family to attend college before her was her cousin, a distinct role model growing up. Considering they had attended UMD, Jimenez decided that so would she. 

La diferencia en la diversidad social y en la carga de trabajo hizo que su transición a la universidad fuera más difícil. To help, she joined several organizations, including Delta Epsilon Mu, the Latino Pre-Health Society and the Latino Student Union, that supported her culturally and professionally.

“I honestly think these organizations are really important so that we can continue to build a community, especially one where there aren't many people on campus who are part of one,” she said.

Through mentors found in these organizations, she decided to pursue a physician assistant (PA) route. Sintió que había más oportunidades disponibles para ella y que, economicamente, les convenía más, tanto para ella como para el bienestar de sus papás.

Throughout her career, Jimenez has always thought of ways to give back to her community, believing it’s important to give back to the community that has supported you.

Photo of the Jimenez Family. (Courtesy of Kendra Jimenez)

Sus papás siempre han sido su inspiración, notando que la han guiado hasta en momentos en que no entendían sus esfuerzos. 

"I'm just really grateful for them because they’ve really pushed me and have celebrated me with my greatest accomplishments but have also reassured me during times where I failed," Jimenez stated. 

As she plans to take a gap year upon graduation, she hopes to apply to different PA programs and work in different clinical opportunities. 

Para los que quieren seguir un camino como el de Jimenez, ella ofrece este consejo:

“It’s important that we push through and kind of go against what a lot of people try to dwell down on us. It’s important to just fight back and continue pushing forward because you are capable of doing these things. You are capable of receiving great opportunities.” 

“I love you mi hija y sigue adelante hasta llegar a las estrellas. Todo es posible.” - Kendra Jimenez’s parents