Pre-Health Career Enrichment Program
Hear From Previous Students
Alyssa Rublacava
Cohort 1
“I am grateful for the mentorship and supportive network I have received from the Pre-Health Enrichment Program! I gained valuable firsthand experience to refine my clinical skills, support my community with healthcare resources at local outreach events, and gain valuable insight into various medical professions. This program has allowed me to further solidify my commitment to a career in nursing, and leave an empowering and long-lasting impact on my academic journey!”
Kimberly Valadez
Cohort 1
“I’d like to share a little bit about the great impact that this program had on my healthcare journey because through it, I got all the opportunities that I hoped to encounter. From leadership skills, to mock interviews, to shadowing hours, training, clinical skills, leadership skills, OSCE exam preparation, student panels, and more. All the help I received from everyone, who works together to make this program impactful, truly gave me affirmation and inspiration for the rest of my journey.”
Isabella Lopez
Cohort 1
“Being in the Pre-Health Enrichment Program provided me with amazing experiences and opportunities. As the first person in my family to pursue a career in medicine, Vida Mobile Clinic provided me with guidance to achieving my futrue goals. This program helped me develop more confidence in becoming a future medical provider. I am grateful for this unique experience and recommend it to all pre-health students!”
Dain Dayo
Cohort 3
"It can be difficult trying to pursue a career without having someone guide you on your path and the PHCEP was that guide for me. They have helped me take a giant leap forward in pursuing my aspiration to become a physician by supporting me with leadership, clinical, and professional skills. More importantly, they have shown me a true altruistic approach to helping a community that needs them, both as the PHCEP and through VIDA. I am in debt as its teachings will follow me through my journey through healthcare indefinitely!"
Ariel Bloch
Cohort 2
"My time in the Pre-Health Program was pivotal to my journey into nursing, and made an impact when applying (and getting admitted!) to schools. Vida's Pre-Health Program provided lasting memories and guidance for years to come. The network of people that work with Vida are incredibly supportive to each and every person on their path to working in healthcare. From application prep, leadership seminars, community service and more, the Pre-Health Program really prepared us to become thoughtful and thorough providers. I can't say enough good things about this program, and the Vida community as a whole!"
Andrew Barrera
Cohort 4
"Vida opened my eyes to what it means to be a health provider and what to look for when applying to graduate school. Not only did this program show me how to apply to become a strong applicant, but it also instilled in me special leadership skills and gave me invaluable clinical skills that I will use in my future healthcare endeavors. Before I entered this program I had a lot of self-doubt and uncertainty about my career path, but the amazing staff and clinical events that we participated in fueled a fire in me to become a public servant and help my local communities in Los Angeles as a prospective Physician Assistant. This program taught me how to chase excellence and to play my part in helping the underserved and underrepresented. I am very blessed to have been apart of this program. Vida will become a big name in Los Angeles very soon!"
Lyan Ly
Cohort 1
"This program gave me the opportunity to surround myself with such inspiring and compassionate mentors and advisors. Everyone on the Vida team made my experience so welcoming and empowering. We had skills workshops, application work shops, heard from admissions staff of different schools, and participated in a leadership series. Navigating a career as a first generation pre-health student is a daunting journey, but the pre-health program helped me feel capable and gain guidance that i wouldn't have otherwise."
Alexis Baltierrez
Cohort 4
"As an applicant for PA school, the pre-health enrichment program helped me become a more confident and well-rounded applicant due to the guidance and mentorship I received from everyone in the program. Because of the various presentations, mock interviews, and application workshops, I was able to strengthen my application and better prepare for future interviews. In addition, Dr. Caldwell’s discussions and lectures improved my leadership and communication skills, while also making me more self-aware and empathetic to the struggles of others. Being part of the first cohort has undoubtedly prepared me for my future career in healthcare and I am extremely grateful to everybody involved in this unique program. "
Alina De Castro
Cohort 4
"Words cannot describe the impact my experience with Vida has had on me. Over the past 8 weeks, I have learned so much, not only about the healthcare field, but about myself and my leadership capabilities. This program gave me the confidence, resources, and skills I need to be successful on my pre-health journey. The main reason I joined the program was for mentorship and networking with other pre-health students, and I am honored to say that I have gained all that and more. The mentors I have found through Vida have taught me so much with so little time, and I am constantly amazed by their wisdom and insight. I hope to implement all the clinical skills I have learned at Vida, as well as implement qualities that I observed while shadowing Vida providers, like compassion, humility, and selflessness. Serving disadvantaged populations has always been important to me, but witnessing the true impact of giving back to the community at the mobile clinic and health fairs further strengthened my desire to serve disadvantaged populations as a healthcare provider. I will forever be grateful for my time at Vida!"
Hernan Hernadez
Cohort 1
"As an applicant for PA school, the pre-health enrichment program helped me become a more confident and well-rounded applicant due to the guidance and mentorship I received from everyone in the program. Because of the various presentations, mock interviews, and application workshops, I was able to strengthen my application and better prepare for future interviews. In addition, Dr. Caldwell’s discussions and lectures improved my leadership and communication skills, while also making me more self-aware and empathetic to the struggles of others. Being part of the first cohort has undoubtedly prepared me for my future career in healthcare and I am extremely grateful to everybody involved in this unique program."
Karin Babikian
Cohort 4
"I am deeply grateful for the life-changing experience I had in the Pre-Health Enrichment Program at Vida. This opportunity not only solidified my commitment to becoming a healthcare provider, but also allowed me to fulfill my passion for serving the underserved. Being a first-generation student pursuing medicine, finding meaningful guidance and mentorship has been a daunting challenge. However, Vida not only provided me with invaluable support but also connected me with mentors whose kindness and expertise were instrumental in preparing me for interviews. Their guidance has been a beacon of light in my journey. This program taught me the importance of being an empathetic and effective leader, skills that I will carry with me into all my future endeavors. It emphasized the significance of being a well-rounded healthcare provider, showcasing the virtues of selflessness and compassion in the field. These lessons have profoundly shaped my approach to patient care, and I am immensely grateful for the transformative impact this program has had on me."
Maeve-Darly Domond
Cohort 3
"My time in the Pre-Health Clinic Enrichment Program was transformative. From the mentorship of genuine and passionate professionals, to the camaraderie with fellow aspiring healthcare leaders I can call friends, I felt deeply supported both personally and professionally. The emphasis on community building helped me thrive and feel comfortable learning alongside like-minded peers and budding leaders. It was a journey that not only enriched my clinical skills but also ignited my passion to pursue a healthcare career of service. After the program ended, I felt more aligned to my journey and found a PCE job as a medical assistant based on the skills I learned at Vida. I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited for the path ahead because of my time here!"
Angelo Joseph Bulahan
Cohort 2
"This has provided me with a colossal amount of opportunities and bonds, and it continues doing so to this day. As a Santa Barbara resident, I was initially very unsure of commuting to Southern California and back every week, for 2 months straight. Oh how glad I am that I did! During my undergraduate career, I did not have many people to look up to as mentors, especially those in the Physician Assistant profession, as many of my pre-health friends in college were in the same boat as me. Upon beginning and finishing the program, and continuing to volunteer with VIDA, I have learned so much not just about healthcare but about myself. For instance, I relish mentorship to the point that I even decided to begin my own mentorship program for UCSB pre-health students seeking guidance regarding professional development. I truly cannot visualize myself having the opportunities I currently do, in Santa Barbara and in Southern California, if this program didn't motivate me to try my hardest and further push me out of my comfort zone. Whatever I'm up to and have accomplished in the next 5, 10, 15, etc. years of my life, I can 120% say VIDA helped me reach that point."
Vania Khorrami
Cohort 4
"Finding a group of like-minded people with whom you can form deep, meaningful connections can be challenging, particularly in the pre-health field, but Vida offered us all this unique opportunity. From clinical skills to application and leadership workshops with my cohort, it provided me with hands-on experience and insights into the value of medicine, truly reminding me of my interest in this field. I am deeply grateful to have participated in Vida's career enrichment program as a part of my pre-medicine journey."
Brianna Flores
Cohort 2
"Being in the Vida Mobile Clinic Pre-Health Career Enrichment Program was empowering, transformative, and insightful. As the first in my family to consider medical school, I once had worries and fears about not being able to achieve my goals. However, being in the program has helped instill confidence in myself as a future physician through the mentorship I received in leadership training, skills workshops, and hearing workshops from various health professionals on the team - from administrators, PA's, to physicians, and more. Through this program, I learned relevant clinical skills such as taking vitals that I am able to use as a foundation for future clinical practice. The leadership classes and lessons have also continued to stick with me, and have instilled in me the responsibility that comes with being a healthcare provider. Participating in the mobile clinic as an active volunteer up until now continues to show me how important it is to give back to those whose medical needs have been historically overlooked, and I hope to continue to reflect on my experience as I will continue to advocate for health equity in the future."
Jake Truong
Cohort 6
"To say that the Pre-health Career Enrichment Program (PHCEP) helped me is an understatement. It changed me. Participating in PHCEP was a transformative experience for me. The hands-on opportunities to interact with patients and work alongside amazing healthcare professionals were invaluable. I gained not only practical skills but also a deeper understanding of the healthcare field, which solidified my passion for pursuing a career in health. The mentorship and community I gained were incredibly important to me, providing support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. The sessions with Dr. Caldwell, in particular, were instrumental in helping me become a better leader and to believe in myself. With that said, I know all these skills I learned will translate into my future as a healthcare provider. Furthermore, the program's emphasis on community outreach and providing care to underserved populations has inspired me to dedicate my future career to making a difference. Without this program, I wouldn't have the same level of confidence and preparedness for my future endeavors. I am forever grateful for this program!"
