Contributing Writer
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Lauren is a medical student at Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine in Miami, FL, Class of 2025. In 2019, she graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor of science in cell and developmental biology and a minor in religious studies. After graduating medical school, Lauren hopes to pursue a career in anesthesiology and then pain management.
Skepticism of healthcare is widespread throughout some of these communities — rightly so due to historical mistreatment, discrimination and lack of representation along with cultural differences. This distrust may be further strengthened by a patient’s own personal experiences. I respected this wariness, but I had yet to witness it firsthand.
Developing skills of cultural competence requires an open heart and mind — and often an uncomfortable examination of personal biases. It takes time, but along the way physicians gain greater humility and compassion, which translates to expanded access and higher-quality care for patients.
“Where are you from?” A question that I am asked many times during the course of my day. But the answer has never been clear nor concise.
Contributing Writer
Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Fourth-year medical student. Interested in issues around diversity and inclusion, social justice in medicine and looking at health systems and how they can be used to improve access and delivery of care.
