Student Spotlight: Paula A. Medina Diaz, MD, MPH'24

A physician in her native Colombia, Paula A. Medina Diaz, spent a year as a civilian doctor with the Colombian Air Force, providing health education and disease prevention in ambulatory clinics throughout the country for communities affected by the social determinants of health.    

“During these medical care interventions, I witnessed global and women’s health problems that required specialized attention,” Medina Diaz recalls. “I observed how these inequities could not only be intervened by medical care but also needed to be addressed by implementing social interventions in primary care, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare.” 

She believed earning an MPH would help her expand her skills beyond clinical care to advocate for equity in her part of the world and be a first step toward her goal of becoming a physician-scientist. 

When Medina Diaz began looking as schools in the U.S., Dartmouth’s yearlong program was a top consideration because, “it had everything I was looking for in terms of global health and an opportunity to get to know fellow students and faculty in person, which appealed to me as an international student. 

“The willingness to explore world healthcare perspectives through teaching us about how the U.S. health system works in comparison to that of other countries, was also important to me,” Medina Diaz says. 

Once here, she was surprised and delighted by the diversity of her classmates. “I was not expecting the diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and languages represented along with the presence of other physicians and residents in the program.” 

The flexibility to focus on personal interests also exceeded her expectations. “There was a plethora of possibilities and opportunities with access to researchers and amazing teachers to guide you. All of this was a new experience for me.”  

Pursuing an interest in epidemiology and skin cancer research, Medina Diaz chose a research project evaluating the impact of sunburn on nevi (mole) development in children and melanoma development in later life with her mentor Margaret Karagas, chair of the epidemiology department whose research focuses on environmental exposures and the causes of human disease.  

“It was the perfect bridge between my MD and MPH,” Medina Diaz says. Post-graduation, she will continue her research with Dr. Karagas to further develop her research skills.  

“I want to guarantee my patients integrative care in which the promotion of health education, the prevention of disease, and the empowerment of the individual are the main pillars of their medical care,” she says. “This program has given me the research and statistical skills that bring me closer every day to achieving this goal.” 

Written by: Susan Green

POSTED 6/26/2024 AT 11:56 AM IN #studentspotlight