Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Location

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, California

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

This reflection explores my journey through the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and how it shaped my personal and professional growth. My experiences caring for my brother with Angelman Syndrome and supporting my immigrant family in navigating healthcare inspired me to pursue medicine and motivated my interest in SHPEP. Throughout the six-week program, I engaged in academic coursework, clinical simulations, and public health research, all of which deepened my understanding of health disparities and strengthened my commitment to help the public. I gained valuable skills in communication, collaboration, and time management, while also earning my Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and working on a capstone project addressing minority women’s mental health in Los Angeles. This reflection highlights how SHPEP expanded my vision of medicine beyond science to include equity, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement. The program reaffirmed my goal of becoming a pediatric neurologist and emphasized the importance of creating a healthcare system where immigrant families and underserved communities feel supported and understood.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.