Jhoely Duque-Jimenez, Current MD Candidate
BU Major & Graduation Date:
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Minor: Public Health, May 2022
Current School and Year:
M1 at Weill Cornell Medicine
Preferred Pronouns:
she/her/hers/ella
Hometown:
Peekskill and Mahopac, NY with family roots in Ecuador!
What school are you attending and what you are studying? Why did you choose to apply to this school? What do you think makes your school unique?
I am attending Weill Cornell Medical College and am in their MD program. I chose this institution because of their incredible opportunities in the cancer equity research field, in translational research, and their approach to clinical care in a humanistic way. I also wanted to be close to family during medical school! I think one thing that makes my school unique is their LEAP program which is where you follow a patient over your preclinical 18 months to better understand the patient beyond their disease.
Is there a specialization and/or specific population you are interested in? Why? How did you get into it and/or learn more about it?
I am interested in oncology and advancing care for the Hispanic, Latine and immigrant communities. My family is originally from Ecuador and immigrated to the U.S., so I saw the challenges they faced when accessing the healthcare system as immigrants. I want to be someone in medicine who advocates for advancing the care of individuals and families who are in similar situations to my family and meeting patients where they are.
What are one or two of your favorite experiences/activities and why?
One of my favorite activities during my pre-medical journey was being a leader within the My Life, My Story program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. I love mentorship and working with the Latine community so getting to do both through this program was incredible.
Did you take any gap years?
Yes, I took two gap years before matriculating into medical school. I was a volunteer supervisor for a narrative medicine volunteer pipeline program called My Life, My Story at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where I led the development of a program that worked to provide humanistic care for Spanish-speaking limited-English proficient patients. I also was a full-time research technician and lab manager in the Zhou Lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where I worked on developing novel antibody-based cancer immunotherapies via protein engineering.
What was your favorite BU course and why?
My favorite course at BU was Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (CAS SO207) with Dr. Grundy. Dr. Grundy made the course so interactive and thought provoking. The information and skills I gained from this course have made me a better advocate when it comes to addressing health disparities in medicine which is something I am passionate about.
Were you involved in any clubs/groups at BU?
Two of the main clubs I was a part of throughout my undergraduate career were the BU Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) and Alianza Latina. BU MAPS is an incredible organization that supports minority students interesting in pursuing pre-health careers by providing professional opportunities, educational opportunities and service opportunities working with vulnerable communities. I began as freshman representative then became community service chair and ultimately, became president of the organization. Alianza Latina is committed to fostering a sense of the community for the Latine community. In this organization I was a part of the Hermanos committee for two years. Both of these clubs allowed me to develop a sense of community at BU and truly cultivated my skills as a leader which I feel really contributed to where I am today!
Have you always known you wanted to be a doctor? What/who has been your biggest inspiration?
I knew I wanted to be a doctor since high school, but I didn’t know exactly how to get there because I am first-generation. I served as an interpreter for my mom and family from a young age where I noticed the challenges she faced when accessing the healthcare system. My passion for medicine was further solidified while working with Spanish-speaking patients in the My Life, My Story program and seeing the health inequities in the Latine community. I felt inspired to make a change for my community by becoming a doctor to provide equitable healthcare and advocate for changes in the healthcare system.
What resources at BU did you find most helpful or want to spotlight that others might not know about?
I found the free peer tutoring at the Educational Resource Center super helpful especially during my first two years of college because I got to learn from older students who had been through the course before. As a first-generation student, I felt overwhelmed by the workload but being able to personally be supported by tutors dedicated to your educational success during the early challenging pre-medical courses was extremely helpful. Also, the Newbury Center (previously First Generation Connect) is so helpful in giving you the skills for succeeding in college as a first-generation student. They have so many workshops and resources that I recommend first-gen students take advantage of!
What are your hobbies/What do you like to do for fun outside of the classroom?
I’ve played soccer since a young age and that is one of my main hobbies. I love to play and watch soccer in my free time. I also like to run, bake, and spend time with family and friends.
Are there any tips/advice you would like to share with current pre-health students?
One piece of advice I have is to find mentors who truly care about you! This is easier said than done but they can be mentors at any level of training and you can have many mentors not just one. Different mentors provide different kinds of advice and having those diverse perspectives is super helpful as you pursue your career. They help you weigh your options at different stages of your career. Also, make sure to reach out to them when you have questions or just to chat with them about what is going on in life. When I was younger, I never knew what exactly to talk about with mentors but just talking to them about anything you have been up to is one way to go about it!
On a more personal level, do the things you are passionate about and make time for your own wellbeing however that may be. It can be very easy to fall into the typical “pre-medical activities” but at the end of the day when you apply into medical school or any health professions school you will be showcasing your OWN story. By doing the things you are passionate about and making time for yourself as a human, you will come across as a person who has their own unique passions and interests. Being human is what will make you the best healthcare professional!