Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Two first-year College of Medicine students discuss their cultures and the significance of representation
September 27, 2022 — Each year, the U.S. recognizes Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month, paying tribute to generations of Americans with Spanish or Latino ancestry and celebrating the cultural contributions of Hispanic Americans. The recognition is especially important in medical schools across the country, where Hispanic and Latino student enrollment has been increasing but students are still underrepresented.
According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, students of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin accounted for 12.7% of U.S. medical school matriculants in the 2021-22 school year — up from 12% the year prior and 10.7% in 2018-19. While not equivalent yet, the number is rising closer to the percentage of Hispanic and Latino Americans estimated in the country’s 2021 population: 18.9%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
In honoring our Hispanic students and their heritage, the University of Florida College of Medicine spoke with two first-year medical students about their cultural identities and experiences as Hispanic Americans in medical school so far. Hear from Daisy Valle, who was born and raised in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and Henry Peraza, who grew up in Cuba, below.
Q: What was it like growing up in your home country?
A family photo of Daisy Valle and her mother playing in the water at a beach in Tela, Honduras.
Valle: “My most vivid memory growing up in Honduras was attending elementary school there. As I was born in a greater metropolitan area, I was privileged enough to attend a more developed, international school. It was so much fun! Close to half of my neighbors were Korean, as immigrants have populated the main city in Honduras over time due to cheap labor costs. As they learned Spanish to assimilate to the culture, I also managed to grasp the Korean language to an intermediate level.
“Immigrating to Florida was a culture shock but a change that was necessary due to the political instability and high delinquency rates present in Honduras. Not only did I have to learn a completely new language, but I also had to assimilate to the customs and the way of life in general. Truth be told, to this day, I miss the traditional cuisine and my extended family the most. However, it is hard to visit back home due to safety issues.”
Peraza: “It was very food-oriented and religious — Catholic. Cuban culture focuses on sharing with your extended family. We help each other a lot because life in Cuba is very hard. When it comes to finances, it’s very hard to meet minimal needs. I would have to depend on my relatives here in the United States to get clothing and shoes for school … Back in Cuba, resources are scarce. But that’s why everyone helps each other. I wouldn’t change my background; I wouldn’t change growing up in Cuba at all because it was very enriching.”
Q: How do you share or want to share your culture with your classmates? Have you been able to explore each other’s backgrounds?
MD Class of 2026 Orientation and Stethoscopes
Valle: “Yes, I have been able to share my culture with peers, especially while serving at the Equal Access Clinic Network, or EAC. Without a doubt, one of the biggest barriers to health care in a diverse population is language. Every time I have volunteered at the EAC, I have been able to address that barrier by serving as a Spanish translator and representing the Hispanic population. In addition, I believe orientation week at the UF College of Medicine allowed me to explore and connect with classmates from different backgrounds. I was astonished at how diverse our class is and the different views each of us brought to our medical education; they brought a deeper and more personal meaning to the concept of cultural competency.”
Peraza: “Since Day 1 at the UF College of Medicine, I’ve felt like I belong because we have a very diverse class. We have all different backgrounds, and that brings a lot of values and new experiences. I’ve had the chance to talk to many of my classmates and get to know their backgrounds. Many of them know Spanish, so we do speak Spanish sometimes. I love learning about everyone’s backgrounds because that’s very enriching to me. It makes me a better person, more culturally sensitive with cultural humility.”
Q: What is the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and representation to you?
A young Daisy Valle, left, celebrating her birthday with family
Valle: “As an immigrant who has been living in the U.S. for approximately 10 years, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for me to reflect on and appreciate my culture. Whether it is through the making of traditional food, listening to traditional music or conversating with family, I wish to get in tune with my roots. Above all, it makes me appreciate the obstacles my parents went through to ensure a more fruitful future for my siblings and me.”
Peraza: “Latino and Hispanic representation in medicine is very important because we are a big part of the American population, and it doesn’t translate perfectly to the field of medicine. I know the numbers are changing, and you have the College of Medicine as an example of that. But it can be lonely sometimes for students like me and other Hispanics who are going through medicine.”
Q: How do you overcome challenges or barriers that may affect you as a Hispanic American?
Valle: “As a Hispanic immigrant that reflects a lighter skin tone, I have been fortunate enough to not experience prejudice to the extent that my parents have. Unfortunately, there are still circumstances in which people become cognizant of my accent and undermine my capabilities because English is not my first language and I am an immigrant. As opposed to reacting, I believe the best way I can address that is by educating the person on microaggressions and unconscious biases.”
Peraza: “As I progressed through my undergraduate education, sometimes I felt like I didn’t have that many role models of Hispanic and Latino students pursuing careers in medicine. And that felt very lonely. Sometimes I thought medicine was not achievable for me because I thought it was for only for the privileged. And yes, I’ve been subjected to unconscious and conscious biases.
“One instance that comes to mind is when I was preparing for the application cycles for medical school and I went to talk to a counselor and pre-med adviser. As we were talking, he said, ‘Have you ever considered PA or dental school? Because speakers of other languages really struggle with the MCAT. It’s such a hard exam with a lot of reading, and sometimes speakers of other languages are not fast enough to read and get to the questions in time.’ It was kind of rude. At that moment, it was very overwhelming and frustrating, but I didn’t let it get to me. I looked forward and did my best, took the MCAT and succeeded. And here I am today, showing perseverance and resilience — that’s what I think has gotten me through.”
Q: What is your support system like, and how can the College of Medicine better support you and your culture?
Daisy Valle, center, with two friends, including Xuban Palau Villarreal, right.
Valle: “Dr. Maria Velazquez, who oversees the Anaclerio Learning & Assessment Center, is an individual who I look up to and can count on in the College of Medicine due to our shared experiences as Hispanic immigrants. To this day, I remain in awe of her success as physician and leader in medical education, all while remaining true to herself. Simply put, Dr. Velazquez is not afraid to be vocal about her fondness towards her Puerto Rican blood. Additionally, the remaining part of my support system in Gainesville consists of my cat, Kani, and my Medical Honors Program cohort, which is further represented by a fellow Hispanic classmate, Xuban Palau Villarreal.”
“During Hispanic Heritage Month, it would be touching to highlight all the accomplishments that Hispanic physicians have contributed to the medical field. Not only would it be a spectacular way to exemplify Hispanic representation in medicine, but it would make Hispanic students feel at home in a field in which we are traditionally underrepresented.”
Henry Peraza and his family eating at a restaurant
Peraza: “I love how UF has the Little and Big program; that’s a great help. I was paired with a Hispanic student, and he’s been a great help and guide, there to answer any questions I have. Also, I do have my friends, family and girlfriend as part of my support system. Medical school is overwhelming and very stressful, so every time I go home, they just lift me up. They’re like, ‘OK, you can do it. You’ve gone so far. Just keep doing what you’re doing.’ And that helps me, having them there.
“Having activities for Hispanic Heritage Month is also a great way to support Hispanic students and make us feel like we’re valued. In general, the UF College of Medicine is doing a great job, and I feel very happy being here.”
