Fellowship Cohorts

What I enjoyed most about the DMC Health Leadership Fellowship was having the chance to work behind the scenes at AltaMed, where I focused on analyzing literature related to social determinants of health and healthcare equity. One of the main highlights was attending AltaMed’s annual All Hands event, which gave me an incredible opportunity to network with people in so many different healthcare roles. Hearing speakers share how they navigated obstacles on their way to building meaningful careers in medicine was super inspiring.

The best advice I could give to students applying to medical school would simply be to be authentically yourself, tell your story, and not create a false narrative of what you think admissions committees would want to hear. Focus on why you’d make an amazing doctor and let that compassion come through in your essays. Also, please remember to take care of yourself during the process as this cycle is no joke and remember your worth as an individual is not tied to this app or one school. Be kind to yourself, engage in self care, and trust that everything will work out exactly the way it’s meant to.

What I enjoyed most about the DMC HL Fellowship was the strong connection I was able to build with my mentor and the support system I gained. I not only learned so much by observing my mentor care for her patients and conducting research alongside her, but I now feel I have someone I can rely on and continue learning from in the future. I also know I can always return to the fellowship family, and that they will be there for me.

My piece of advice to students applying to medical school is this: never stop doing the things that make you happy. When we’re happy, we’re able to give the best of ourselves, to our studies and to the people we serve. Medicine will always demand more of you, and there will always be something that needs to get done. But you only have one life, don’t forget to live it.

I enjoyed the opportunity of working so closely with a clinical scientist. It strengthened not only my research skills and critical thinking skills, but helped me see firsthand how the use of both patient care and research can make a real impact in underserved communities. I also loved the personalized and constant support from the fellowship team. Their unwavering guidance was critical to my success in applying to medical school.

One piece of advice I have is to remember that everyone’s journey to medicine is different. For many years, I fell into the negative mindset of comparing myself to my peers. I constantly felt like I was falling behind when I saw their success. Now looking back as a first-year medical student, I’ve realized that trusting my own path helped me grow into the student I am today. Always remember, you’re never too late!

Working at Granada on Broadway, I was exposed to a version of humanity you don’t always see in healthcare-adjacent settings. I was able to build relationships with South L.A. community members that extended beyond just signing them in to receive HIV testing. We hosted workshops where we could share a meal with clients and discuss romance and self-love in a judgement-free space. It was a place where clients could find shelter on a rainy day and listen to 80s music with a snack, or charge their cell phone. I still think a lot about clients who would come in just to talk, expressing the sorrows of losing a loved one, or the joys of finally receiving housing.

Make sure that your values align with those expressed by the institutions you’re applying to. For your own well-being, it’s important to choose schools where you feel confident your desires will be supported and where you can feel at home. Let all of your passions, even those beyond medicine, shine in your application and interviews. Finally, application season can be stressful, so plan fun things to ease your mind.

One of the biggest aspects I enjoyed the most was the close collaboration I had with my mentor. I joined the big project with the research team but also had the freedom to work on side projects such as looking at language line protocols for California emergency medical service agencies. I enjoyed the work I got to do with Carestar through working with community leaders at events like City Council meetings and health care fairs. The personal support I had with my mentor also was amazing as I felt comfortable asking her questions about the application process.

Applying to medical school is a marathon where it can be mile 14 and you don’t see the end. It is about having patience throughout the process. Be intentional about the time you have whether it is studying for the MCAT, doing secondaries, or preparing for interviews. Be kind to yourself through this journey and let your experiences show who you are.

The Fellowship was an incredible opportunity for me to gain firsthand insight into the daily life of a physician. It allowed me to see how doctors approach patient care, make clinical decisions, and build trusting relationships with patients and families. Being immersed in the medical environment helped me envision my future more clearly and confirmed my passion for becoming a physician. I also gained invaluable mentorship and knowledge that I continue to carry with me in medical school.

Apply to schools where you genuinely see yourself thriving, not just where you think your stats will fit…trust that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. Don’t let fear or comparison take away from the experience. You’ve worked hard to reach this point, so allow yourself to enjoy the process and reflect on how far you’ve come. Stay grounded in your “why” and lean on your support system throughout the journey.

This fellowship really allowed me to continue exploring a field in medicine and provided a lot of support throughout the medical school application process. I enjoyed the workshops that were offered, especially our suturing workshop as that was my first exposure to that skill. Additionally, being paired one-on-one with a physician mentor and joining in on her projects to decrease barriers to healthcare provided an enriching experience that allowed me to further explore the type of medicine that I want to practice and the communities that I want to serve.

For those who are applying to medical school, I recommend always keeping their “why” in mind. Too often, students can get lost in the details as they embark on this journey and forget about why they wanted to pursue medicine in the first place. When thinking about putting together an application, one of the most important aspects is building a clear story and having your experiences and extracurriculars back up what you say in your personal statement. Take the time to really reflect on your journey and accomplishments and lean on the people who support you 100%.

Being able to meet new people who are integral to the community and being a part of a team wants you to grow and succeed.

• Be organized
• Do not procrastinate on secondaries. They come fast.
• Comparing yourself to others only takes away from your achievements. Remember you are unique.

I enjoyed many aspects of this fellowship! Through my fellowship site, I had the privilege of witnessing how many physician-leaders are contributing to the LA community in their own unique ways. This gave me insight into how liberating the physician-leader title can be and how many potential routes are open to me in the future. I also greatly appreciated the various workshops, especially the ultrasound workshop, and speakers that we had through the fellowship program.

I truly believe that you receive what you put into this experience. I encourage you to really pursue this opportunity with intention. How can this enhance your medical school application but more importantly, how can this contribute to your expansion as a person?

I enjoyed the opportunity to meet many doctors, medical students, and the members of the community. I got to know everyone’s stories: their why, their passion, and their goals. Hearing their journeys inspired me to reflect on my own path and reignited my motivation to pursue medicine.

One recommendation I have is to remember why you started this journey in the first place. While it can be tough to balance school, research, personal responsibilities, and clinical experiences, these clinical moments not only offer a break from studying but also serve as a powerful reminder of your purpose and goals.

I most appreciated the mentorship of Dr. Martinez-Hollingsworth (Dr. M) during my fellowship at AltaMed. She gave me valuable insights into both the business and research aspects of medicine. As someone who aspires to build and run a nonprofit hospital in Cameroon, I was especially grateful for the opportunity to learn about the administrative side of healthcare, an area I had not previously been exposed to. As a result of my fellowship with Dr. M, I also gained a mentor I can now turn to for guidance and future research opportunities.

Self-discipline was central to my staying the course. It’s what kept me going when I lacked motivation. Also, try to find study groups, whether online or in person. I found it very helpful in keeping me accountable. And lastly, whatever study plan you have set for yourself, try your best to stick with it, and trust that your efforts will bear fruit!

What I enjoyed most was being in a space with people at all stages of their journey: undergrads, medical students, residents, social workers, psychologists, and other allied health professionals who all shared a common goal of improving mental health care for my community. Each week, I joined thoughtful discussions about current mental health challenges, evidence-based treatments, emerging research, and project planning. Dr. Lubliner fosters an environment that felt safe and supportive, where everyone’s contributions were valued. That atmosphere made it easy to engage, grow, and I left knowing that I am coming away with a valuable experience and with a mentor that truly cares for me and my future!

Take an honest and objective look at your entire journey, your academics, extracurricular activities, personal growth, and the support systems that have helped you along the way. When you’re ready to apply, you should feel confident in yourself and believe that you are prepared to attend medical school. The goal isn’t to prove yourself to others, but to find the school that’s the right fit for you. I know it’s hard to recognize your value when you’re deep in the application process and waiting for an acceptance email. The fear of being rejected was a struggle for me, but looking back at the application process, I now know just meeting the requirements and having the courage to apply is an accomplishment in itself. So, whether the outcome of applying is getting accepted into medical school or having to pick yourself up and do what’s needed to get there, you’ve got what it takes. So have confidence in yourself and your experiences!

I most enjoyed the opportunity to be matched up with an organization that focuses on community health in the surrounding underresourced communities. I loved that my specific fellowship site allowed me to do more research since that was a part of my medical school application that I wanted to strengthen. I am also grateful to my mentor who was and continues to be incredibly supportive throughout the entire process.

Don’t go through this alone. There are so many resources out there and people who are willing to help such as MiMentor, physician mentors, and friends/medical students who have been through this process before. Even if you have a solid application, it is helpful to get outside perspectives on how to best present yourself to medical school committees via your personal statement, secondaries, interviews, etc. Most importantly, this is a stressful process so just do the best you can, trust the process, and enjoy your life!

The DMC HL Fellowship provided me with opportunities to keep developing my professional and personal skills while applying to medical school. Whether I was helping Dra. Lubliner with projects at SSPC or learning important clinical skills, such as Point of Care Ultrasound, I became increasingly more confident in my ability to become a physician leader. Most importantly, having ongoing support from Emma, Carina, Dra. Lubliner, and my peers throughout the cycle enriched my whole experience.

Practice makes perfect! Do your best to prepare for interviews so that you can present your story in the best possible way and ease some anxiety. Additionally, distract yourself from applications by doing activities you enjoy that positively impact your well-being. Establish the good habits you want to have as a medical student now! Through everything, stay true to yourself and your values.