A journey rooted in community and purpose
New medical student Carla Vazquez Vergara says UC Irvine’s PRIME-LC program continues that path
Carla Vazquez Vergara feels a deep connection to her Southern California roots and has always wanted to stay close to the communities that shaped her.
After graduating from Norco High School, she chose to attend Chapman University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences in preparation for medical school. To best be able to serve the Hispanic community, Vazquez Vergara minored in Spanish. UC Irvine’s Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community — which turns 20 this year — was the perfect next step in her quest to become a doctor.
“My first exposure to medicine came from accompanying my grandmother to low-income community health clinics in the Inland Empire. They were often underfunded, with bars on the windows and not enough seats for everyone in the waiting room,” Vazquez Vergara says. “Despite these challenges, I took on the responsibility of interpreting for her, which sparked my interest in healthcare.”
On Aug. 9, Vazquez Vergara donned her first white coat in the official ceremony welcoming the UC Irvine School of Medicine’s class of 2028.
Initially aspiring to be a teacher, she realized that the role of physician seamlessly combined her love of teaching with her interest in medicine and desire to care for those in need.
“Orange County has a large Hispanic/Latinx community, and that’s a vital aspect of my identity,” Vazquez Vergara says. “Through UC Irvine’s PRIME-LC program, I can be a leader, an advocate and a culturally competent physician for the underserved. I want to be a voice for those who need one, and I’m committed to making a difference.”
As she prepares to begin her studies, Vazquez Vergara has not yet made the final decision on which specialty to pursue, but pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and gastroenterology are being considered.
In addition to excellent academics, she’s looking forward to the many research opportunities that UC Irvine offers. Of particular interest is conducting qualitative studies with community organizations, which Vazquez Vergara says will enable her to expand her network and help her grow as a physician.
“The reasons why I chose a career in medicine are clear. I’m driven by a purpose rooted in my early experiences, reinforced by my community connections and culture. As I continue my journey at UC Irvine, I’m excited to see where this path takes me,” she says.
If you want to learn more about supporting this or other activities at UC Irvine, please visit the Brilliant Future website at https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UC Irvine seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. The School of Medicine plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/uci-school-of-medicine.