Meet our student fellows from the School of Medicine

[Part 1 of 2] Earlier this year, we announced the launch of our inaugural Student Scholars Fellowship Program, which aims to support the next generation of leaders and scholars who promote the wellbeing of Latinx communities in Washington state. This program includes an outstanding cohort of 10 students in health sciences programs across the campuses of the University of Washington and Heritage University. This week, we are highlighting Amaya Alonso and Mary Carmen Zuñiga, students at the UW School of Medicine.

Amaya (she/her), born and raised in the East Bay of Northern California, is a second-year Masters student in Occupational Therapy (OT).

Amaya became interested in the field of OT because, knowing that she wanted to work within the medical system, she noticed OT has wide scope of practice. “OT combines training in areas that I love—body mechanics, neurological rehabilitation, the importance of narrative—with the idea that no individual exists outside of their surroundings,” she says.

While Amaya isn’t sure what her future career looks like due to the uncertainties that come with living in the age of COVID-19, she is certainly aware of the importance of focusing on Latino health. “Because I believe in the system we work in, if you do not focus on Latino health, it more often than not ends up being neglected,” she adds.

Read more about Amaya’s story here!