Erica

Public Health

I grew up in a rural area of Washington State. I am Mexican-American and have Erb’s palsy, which limits the mobility of my right arm. Coming from a rural, underserved area has made me passionate to improve healthcare accessibility. My interest in STEM fields is connected with my background and the communities I would like to serve as a physician.

Many Latino families in central Washington communities work in agricultural jobs. Despite being one of the toughest jobs, most migrant workers have no choice but to continue working in such conditions to support their families. Most farmworkers do not have health insurance or access to healthcare. Pursuing biology and public health majors was perfect for what I see myself doing in the future. My goal is to provide equal opportunities for all people seeking healthcare and to improve healthcare in underserved communities.

My STEM journey has taken me to many great places. In the summer of 2011, I attended the ten-week Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity Teach Lab program. Later that summer, I studied abroad, analyzing the public and private healthcare systems implemented in India. The next summer I participated in the six- week Summer Medical Dental Education Program at Columbia University in New York City. Later that summer, I participated in a public health exploration seminar in Chile. The following year, I did an internship with Seattle Biomedical Research Institute in the Protein Production Core as an undergraduate research assistant. During the summer of 2013, I completed a ten-week internship at the University of Washington (UW) Bioengineering Department as an undergraduate research assistant and then went to a healthcare seminar in Italy.

Being part of the AccessSTEM program allowed me to network and build connections with people at the UW. I have also reached out to other programs on campus that support underrepresented minorities going into STEM fields. I am also part of Lambda Theta Alpha, Latin Sorority, Inc., where I serve as Chapter President. Taking on this leadership role constantly pushes me out of my comfort zone and allows me to grow as a person and a leader.

As a young Latina, growing up in rural Pateros, WA, I never thought I would do half of the things that I have done already. There have definitely been times when I remind myself to not only accept myself with my disability, but to love myself and the stronger person I have become because of it. When I look back at who I was when I entered the UW, all of these programs and experiences has made me a more confident, accomplished, and educated woman.