Undergraduate degree:

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry
Master of Science, Science of Health Care Delivery
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Hometown:

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?

From an early age, I knew that healthcare was the field that I would go into, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I decided to pursue optometry.  Once I started working at an optometry practice, I discovered just how crucial it is to properly educate patients on the importance of preventative care.

How did your background and history factor into your career choice?

In Mexico, optometry is different to what we know here in the United States because the training requirements for someone to become an optician are less stringent. Because of this, most optometrists in Mexico may not know how to check the health of the eye. The only way patients there will have a chance to check their eye health is if they have an ocular emergency and need to visit the ophthalmologist. While working at an optometry practice, I was able to see just how many Latinos are not aware of the importance of preventative care, and for many this meant unfortunate ocular conditions that had progressed to the point of irreparable damage.

Why did you decide to attend Midwestern University?

I had the opportunity to work with five different optometrists who have all been Midwestern graduates, and I was able to see the quality of education that the University provides because of the high standards that these doctors uphold.

What about a Midwestern University education do you want to carry forward in your career?

I sincerely hope to continue the interprofessional collaboration with different healthcare providers for optimal patient care.