Hometown
Queen Creek, Arizona
What inspired you to pursue this degree?
I was inspired by my grandfather's recovery after surviving his stroke. It was inspiring to see how occupational therapists helped my grandfather become independent again and helped him participate in his favorite activities such as doing his word search puzzles. Seeing him go through this journey as a Spanish-speaking individual in an English-dominant world was very eye-opening and inspired me to one day help people in need like him.
Why did you choose Duke?
I chose Duke's Occupational Therapy program for its holistic view of humans. It was the first program that I encountered that demonstrated the importance of context and not just focusing on the symptoms and diagnosis.
Do you have a favorite memory from your program?
My favorite memory would have to be during my cohort's pinning ceremony. It was very special to see all my classmates with their loved ones, celebrating the end of our didactic journey and stepping into our fieldwork journey.
How do you hope to make an impact with your career?
I hope to continue to advocate for the Hispanic/Latino community and serve them. As a proud Mexican myself and having seen the barriers my community and others face in the health system and society, I hope to help them succeed through those barriers and be a source of comfort to them through their journey.
What was the most important thing you learned at Duke?
The most important thing that I learned at Duke is that everyone has a story that plays a huge role in their recovery and who they are today. As health providers, we must listen, accept, and respect those stories to better understand and serve our clients.