UCLA IMG

UCLA International Medical Graduate Program
Medical School: Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Camagüey

Family Medicine: Valley Health Team, Fresno

Hello, my name is Ailen. I grew up in Camagüey, the third largest city in Cuba. The city was founded as Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe by Spanish colonists. The clay pot or tinajón is the symbol of the city. There is a tale that said: if you drink tinajón water you will stay in Camaguey. This beautiful city is known for its irregular, narrow streets and its rich architecture showing a variety of influences, for which it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. 

I was inspired to pursue a career in medicine by my cousin and this was the best decision of my life. I attended the Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de Camagüey and received the "Titulo de Oro," Cuba's highest academic honor. After graduation, I served as a general physician in a rural community collaborating with an epidemiologist, a nurse and psychologist to ensure the well-being and health to our community of 1,200 individuals. Outside of medicine, I enjoy walking Dina, my mixed-breed, rescue dog from the streets of Cuba, salsa dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

Professional Interests: Providing care to immigrant communities, practicing full-scope Family and Community Medicine with a focus on women's health.

UCLA International Medical Graduate Program
Medical School: University of Boyacá

Family Medicine: Mission Community Hospital, Los Angeles 

Hello, I was born in Florencia-Caquetá, the Amazon region of southern Colombia. I spent my early childhood living on a vast open farmland that welcomed agricultural researchers. My mom served as a research scientist at the Centro de Investigacciones Amazónicas Macagual where I was exposed to science, nature, and wildlife. This place is one of my fondest memories and accelerated my path to medical school. After medical school, I completed a year of community medicine in Northern Boyacá where I served as the lead physician in the area’s only community clinic serving a population of about 4,000. 

In 2012, I met my husband who earned his engineering degree in the United States. In 2021, after completing our professional school training, surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic and a long-distance relationship, we got married. Outside of medicine, we enjoy camping, cycling, and taking care of our two cats, Zelda and Stella. 

Professional Interests: Community Medicine with special interest in Addiction and Street Medicine.

UCLA International Medical Graduate Program
Medical School: Universidad Cientifica del Sur Facultad de Medicina Humana

Family Medicine: Natividad, Salinas

Hi, my name is Jasmine. I am a proud daughter of first-generation Peruvian immigrants and grew up in a speaking Spanish household. Although my mom had been a lawyer in Peru, she was unable to practice law in the United States. Our family struggled financially, and we lacked health insurance. Fortunately, I met a doctor who motivated me to pursue medicine as a career. At the age of sixteen, I moved to Peru to attend medical school at the Universidad Científica del Sur Facultad de Medicina Humana. One of my goals as a physician is to increase access in healthcare for marginalized communities. 

Outside of medicine, I enjoy watching Japanese animations, writing poetry, listening to Peruvian criolla, alternative rock, Rap/hip-hop, and learning to cook Peruvian food. I also have a Peruvian hairless dog, Nena. 

Professional interests: Latino advocacy, LGBTQIA+ Health, Addiction Medicine, and HIV care.