By Heriberto Perez–Zuñiga

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – AUG. 2, 2024 – The UTRGV School of Medicine recently welcomed 59 medical students as part of its newest class of future doctors.

The Class of 2028 marks the ninth cohort for the UTRGV School of Medicine and represents the university’s continued commitment to producing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Hailing from 18 counties across Texas, several states nationwide and from abroad, the cohort embodies a blend of backgrounds and experiences. 

More than 60 percent are women, marking the highest percentage in the school's history and highlighting the increasing representation of women in medicine.

Their journey includes shadowing and working with physicians across the United States, including North Dakota and Missouri, as well as in countries like Pakistan, Mexico and China.

Some have already held significant leadership roles and contributed to research in critical specialties affecting the Rio Grande Valley, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular health. 

For many in the Class of '28, the journey has been unconventional. Some have taken career paths that saw them transitioning from roles as tutors, security officers and healthcare professionals before arriving at UTRGV. 

Through it all, each of the 59 medical students can celebrate experiences that have shaped their unique perspectives on medicine today. 

A FEW OF THE CLASS OF 2028

First-year medical student and valley native Kaitlyn Dianne Ybanez became interested in a career in medicine after experiencing the optimism and hope that physicians brought to her life. She hopes to be an advocate for healthcare education in the community. (UTRGV Photo by Heriberto Perez-Zuniga)

KAITLYN DIANNE YBAÑEZ
Hometown: Edinburg, Texas

What motivated you to choose the UTRGV School of Medicine?
As part of the first cohort of the Vaqueros MD Early Assurance Program, I knew as a senior in high school that UTRGV was my next destination. Being involved in local opportunities allowed me to explore my passion for healthcare more deeply and develop a sense of purpose. I also share the mission of the UTRGV School of Medicine, which is to provide and enhance medical care for our community. I am beyond excited to serve a place I call home.

What made you interested in a career in medicine?
“God will place you wherever you will serve Him best.” That was always my mom's saying. How fitting to my experience now at UTRGV. Being born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, I am so grateful to have spent my college career at home and contributed to a field I craved answers for.

In having loved ones affected by cancer, I have come to recognize a need for personalized medicine, continuing research, innovative treatments, and more individuals committed to working to improve the quality of life for everyone, despite their ailments.

I believe that as I mature, I will continue to grow. And by recognizing the importance of having a reliable presence for others, I will be able to connect deeply with patients as they face their fears of the unknown.

First-year medical student Olivia Samaie sees receiving her white coat as the start of her professional journey, a rewarding end to the first month at UTRGV School of Medicine, and a symbol of her path to becoming a capable physician. (UTRGV Photo by Heriberto Perez-Zuniga)

OLIVIA SAMAIE
Hometown: Houston, Texas

Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to be a doctor?
Yes! It was during my sophomore year of high school. It was a peculiar realization, because it came to me about the same time I realized I didn't want to do anything else. I've always been STEM-inclined and was interested in engineering and healthcare – which are my father’s and mother's fields of work. I was never sure which one to choose until that year. I was enrolled in an engineering class and found that, while I could complete the assignments, I often found myself bored with the work. That same year, my father had to have a valve replacement for a congenital heart defect. Watching the care, he received from his doctor, and the lengths his doctor went for him, solidified my interest.

My mother, a former nurse, worked hard to advocate for my father when it came to his medical treatment from the nurses and made a call that ended up saving his life. These actions further inspired my career choice.

What do you plan to achieve as you start your medical school career?
My main goals for medical school are to focus on finding my footing, working on time management, and determining the most efficient way to study for myself.

Additionally, I plan to get to know my classmates better, and I want to maximize my ability to learn and retain content while preparing for the Step 1 (medical school exam). I want to prepare for the future, when I’ll be treating patients.

After this first month, I plan to determine what extracurriculars and research interests me and make connections in those areas. From there, it'll be about getting into residency and adapting to medical school's new changes and challenges.

First-year medical student and Rio Grande Valley native Lois Faith Baldado's desire to become a doctor grew from various experiences, including her grandmother's illness, shadowing doctors, volunteering, and joining a pre-medical organization. Her passion for medicine gradually solidified through these exposures, and she is eager to make a difference in the Rio Grande Valley. (UTRGV Photo by Carlos Cuadros)

LOIS FAITH BALDADO
Hometown: Mission, Texas

What motivated you to pick the UTRGV School of Medicine?
Remaining in South Texas is ideal for my medical career as I can maintain close contact with my immediate family and serve as an RGV native familiar with the community's social fabric.

Obtaining my medical education in a small, collaborative class environment is important to me, to help develop close friendships with my classmates and maintain connections with professors.

My personal experiences and aspirations to serve as a physician align with the UTRGV School of Medicine's mission to increase healthcare accessibility, community service and medical research in the Valley. Attending the UTRGV School of Medicine is perfect for personal, career and academic reasons. 

What does academic medicine mean to you?
As a medical student, pursuing research and mentorship opportunities are vital to my growth as a future physician. Academic medicine means exploring and sharing newfound knowledge with others. Being paired with a medical student mentor (aka, my “big sibling”), I can learn more about approaching the curriculum, and explore different extracurricular opportunities. As a research student, I can explore various topics of vision-related disease and share that knowledge as part of a scientific writing team.

Furthermore, reflecting on my experiences as an academic tutor and pre-med organization officer in college, I learned that I would love to mentor other students. As a medical student, I would love to mentor undergraduate UTRGV students about the pre-medical pathway and the process of applying to the UTRGV School of Medicine. As a future physician, I would love to teach and mentor medical students in an academic institution and work in a clinical setting.