By Elizabeth Valencia, MD, JD, FCLM, Assistant Professor Department of Radiology, immediate past inaugural Enterprise Associate Dean of Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
I grew up as a daughter of Mexican immigrants, the eldest and the first to go to high school and college, as well as the first doctor in the family. We moved every 3-6 months with my younger brothers and sisters, depending on the crop season: Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, and Illinois. Home for me was anywhere I had a sense of family and community, a feeling of belonging, and being connected to the Latino community, a source of feeling cared for.
I knew my community was suffering with illness and the challenge of access to healthcare. The emotional and spiritual toll, and a sense of deep suffering was significant; we feared that there were no places for us. My inspiration to go into medicine was the injustice of this situation: why not us? I had a sense of duty, but pride as well of my community. I sought education, as well as access to knowledge and resources.
I wanted to be able to hold the door open for those behind me, and show how we can succeed, and not be afraid. I was brave and thought nothing could be insurmountable. The concept of mentorship was foreign to me: I didn’t know anyone in my community that went to college. Early on, I was placed in courses for ‘high risk’ students and experienced being stereotyped; many thought I was in a gang. A coach in high school told me that the closest I would get to medical school was being a janitor. The question was – how to survive and try to navigate a different outcome?
Working several jobs, it took me years to get through multiple junior colleges; academic advisors told me to ‘consider nursing.’ I learned not to ask for help and not tell my real story. But I did graduate from college in Jacksonville, IL with a double major in international business and Spanish and took the MCAT. While still in Illinois, I sought out possible ways to pay for medical school; AmeriCorps, scholarships, the Governor’s Office Dunn Fellowship. I had the good fortune to train under the leadership of the Governor’s Senior Cabinet Advisor for Health Policy at the State Capitol. I began to interface with leads of several agencies, including public health, child and family services, and others. These meetings were challenging, but I was inspired to see physicians in action as leaders: I saw what I could do on the ‘frontlines.’ Obama had become President, and there was a focus on healthcare policy.
After checking our medical schools in the region, Southern Illinois University (SIU) made the most sense, especially since my husband was stationed away. I considered many specialties and chose radiology; I graduated with both MD/JD degrees from the SIU Schools of Medicine & Law. I’m currently specializing in Breast Imaging & Intervention at Mayo Clinic, and have a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly in healthcare, and communities.
Here’s what I would like to share with others as they navigate their own journey: educate and help others so that you can ‘make it’ together. Look for simple moments of joy. Be aware of your community. Embrace ‘humanity’– be real and authentic. It doesn’t matter where you come from. Every journey is different, but meaningful: learn from others.