Caroline Pecos-Duarte (Pueblo of Jemez) First year medical student

Caroline's journey toward becoming a family medicine physician is deeply rooted in her experiences within her Native community and her commitment to addressing health disparities. Motivated by the lack of Native voices in healthcare and driven by her desire to serve her community, Caroline aspires to merge her interests in preventive medicine and community health as a family physician. Through her experiences at a low-income serving clinic, she has gained insights into the impact of socioeconomic status on healthcare access and chronic disease management, further fueling her determination to advocate for patients in low-resource settings. With a passion for advocacy and a commitment to community service, Caroline is poised to make a meaningful impact in the Jemez community and beyond.

“Upon entering medical school, I was greatly aware of the few Native students in my class as well as Natives who I saw interviewing at other medical schools during the application process. From a young age, I have observed Native physicians, few and far between. The lack of Indigenous professional voices in medicine contributes to lack of culturally-sensitive care delivery. This void can be both a deterrent to potential medical students and a motivation.”

Inspiring Indigenous Healers - Empowering Native High School Students in Health Careers

Caroline embarks on a community project driven by her awareness of the scarcity of Native representation in medical education and healthcare professions. With a vision to inspire Native high school students, she plans to visit various Native-serving high schools to introduce the possibilities of college and careers in health. Caroline aims to deliver engaging presentations and hands-on workshops to ignite interest and provide valuable insights into pursuing health professions. Through the implementation of pre and post-workshop surveys, she seeks to understand students' perceptions, interests, and barriers regarding health careers, with the ultimate goal of identifying key factors that shape their aspirations and challenges. By gathering diverse perspectives, Caroline aims to highlight the unique strengths and barriers encountered by Native students, informing the development of tailored mentoring programs to support their aspirations. Through this initiative, she aspires to empower the next generation of Indigenous healers, fostering a culture of resilience and support within Native communities.