ACHE Southern California LIFT Scholarship

Statement 1: The first thing I learned about access, I didn't learn in a classroom. As Lead Medical Assistant at a federally qualified health center in Chinatown, I administered more than 5,500 vaccinations and led outreach to immigrant and limited-English-proficient patients, families that looked a lot like my own. They weren't missing care because it didn't exist. They were missing it because no one had built a way for them to reach it. That is a systems problem, and I wanted training on both sides of it. That is why I am the first MD/MHA student at USC's Keck School of Medicine, pursuing otolaryngology while completing my administrative training at USC Price. A surgeon can shorten one patient's wait. An administrator who has never seen the clinic floor can shorten thousands of patients' waits and never know what was lost. I intend to do both: practice otolaryngology while leading specialty access and quality work inside a safety-net system. My otolaryngology and health services research has been published in JAMA Otolaryngology and Laryngoscope, with national podium presentations, work that taught me to turn data into decisions. This summer, I led the quality and physician-alignment analysis for a community hospital turnaround, rebuilding our financial model against state HCAI data when the numbers wouldn't hold. I've also tried to keep the door open behind me, co-founding the Keck Mentoring Collective for first-generation students. This award would lower the cost of the dual-degree path so I can finish it and put it to work where waits are longest. Statement 2: ACHE of Southern California exists to build the knowledge and professional competency of its members through education, to grow their careers through networking and shared learning, and to strengthen the health industry by developing and promoting its future leaders. I am trying to become exactly the kind of leader that the third aim describes. Healthcare leadership keeps asking for people fluent in both clinical reality and operational discipline, and rarely gets them. As USC's first MD/MHA student, I am building that fluency on purpose, studying quality improvement, workforce optimization, and healthcare finance alongside my clinical training. When I make a staffing or throughput decision, I want to know what it means at the bedside, because I will have stood there. That is the competency ACHE cultivates, approached from a direction the field needs more of. The chapter's own mentoring program reflects a commitment to developing future leaders that I already try to pay forward. Co-founding the Keck Mentoring Collective and leading an allied-health mentorship program taught me that pipelines don't widen on their own; someone has to hold the door. Most of the students I've mentored are children of immigrants, as I am. What I want to contribute is narrower than a mission statement: shorter specialty waits and better outcomes in the safety-net and immigrant communities of Southern California, where a referral to otolaryngology can still mean months of waiting. ACHE of SoCal is where the people already working on that problem are.

Statement 1: Ten years ago, my life looked very different. I struggled with homelessness, alcoholism, and illicit substance use, and at age 29, I was diagnosed with AIDS. The challenges I faced could have defined my future, but instead, they became the foundation for my purpose. Today, I am proud to have over ten years of continuous recovery and am pursuing a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration to help create systems of care that support individuals facing the same barriers I once experienced. My career goal is to serve in executive healthcare leadership, improving access to behavioral health, substance use treatment, and community-based services for vulnerable populations. As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and healthcare executive, I have dedicated my professional life to advancing health equity and strengthening services for underserved communities. Through my work with L.A. CADA, one of Southern California's leading behavioral health and substance use treatment organizations, I have helped expand access to care, strengthen community partnerships, and advocate for equitable health outcomes for underserved populations. One of my greatest accomplishments is transforming lived experience into leadership and service. I currently serve on the City of Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission and was recently appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV. I also mentor individuals in recovery, advocate for reducing stigma, and support initiatives that improve access to care. This scholarship would help alleviate the financial burden of my doctoral education and allow me to continue growing as a leader, advocate, and educator committed to creating opportunities for others to heal, recover, and thrive. Statement 2: My goals align closely with ACHE of Southern California's mission to advance healthcare leadership through education, networking, community service, and partnerships. Having experienced homelessness, addiction, and serious illness firsthand, I understand the profound impact that compassionate and effective healthcare leadership can have on an individual's life trajectory. ACHE's emphasis on lifelong learning resonates strongly with me as I pursue a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration and continue to seek opportunities for professional growth. Recently, I completed the Faculty Diversity Internship Program (FDIP) at Long Beach City College, which reinforced my passion for mentorship, education, and the development of future healthcare leaders. One of my long-term goals is to serve as an adjunct professor and help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. I am equally committed to ACHE's values of social responsibility, diversity, and inclusion. Through my work in behavioral health, public health, and community advocacy, I have focused on reducing barriers to care and advancing health equity for underserved populations. My service on the Long Beach Equity and Human Relations Commission and the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV reflects my dedication to fostering inclusive systems that value diverse perspectives and experiences. By combining leadership, service, and education, I hope to strengthen healthcare organizations, mentor emerging professionals, and contribute to a more equitable healthcare system. These aspirations closely reflect the purpose and objectives of ACHE of Southern California.

I aspire to lead nonprofit healthcare organizations that eliminate barriers to specialty care, strengthen care coordination, and ensure every patient receives exceptional care regardless of socioeconomic or geographic circumstances. This scholarship would allow me to continue developing the leadership and analytical skills necessary to transform healthcare delivery while easing the financial burden of graduate education. Throughout my career, I have pursued opportunities to improve healthcare at both the patient and systems level. At Kaiser Permanente, I created and refined Prescription for Punchlines, healthcare's first comedy-based wellness curriculum, using evidence-based humor to improve mental health and patient engagement. At Optum, I led the development of a referral specialty tiering program that strengthened access to high-quality specialty care across Western markets. At Stanford Health Care, I lead strategy and data analysis for six destination service lines, identifying opportunities to improve access, operational performance, and patient experience. I have been honored to be named a Fulbright Scholar and to serve as one of the youngest board members on university-wide committees at USC. My passion for healthcare began as a medical clown, where I witnessed the profound impact of compassion on healing. That experience inspired my continued service as President of Upsilon Phi Delta, President of the Advanced Degree Consulting Club, Director of Social Programming for Graduate Student Government. I hope to build a healthcare system where access to exceptional care is determined not by circumstance, but by need and this scholarship would accelerate my ability to lead that change. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ My passion for healthcare leadership has always been rooted in people, not positions. Before I understood healthcare strategy or operations, I served as a medical clown, where I learned that healing extends beyond medicine. A smile, a conversation, or simply making someone feel seen could transform a patient's experience. That lesson continues to shape how I define leadership: creating healthcare systems that are as compassionate as they are effective. That is why ACHE of Southern California has become so meaningful to me. Through the BridgeRoads Mentorship Program, I have had the privilege of learning from accomplished healthcare leaders, especially Victor Peña. His mentorship has shown me that healthcare leadership is not simply about managing organizations; it is about building trust, investing in people, and fostering cultures where patients and caregivers can thrive. One moment that has never left me happened while I was working in the hospital. An elderly patient had just received difficult news and quietly said, "I don't want to be alone." Although her shift had ended, a nurse pulled up a chair, held the patient's hand, and stayed with her until family arrived. Watching that interaction taught me that the most meaningful acts of care often cannot be measured, yet they define a patient's experience. I hope to remain actively involved in ACHE—not only to continue learning from leaders, but to one day mentor emerging healthcare professionals in the same way. To me, leadership is measured not by titles, but by the lives we improve and the people we inspire.

Statement 1 My career goals focus on achieving mastery in compliance, particularly in the regulatory, policy, and legislative aspects of public health. I aim to advance within my department, ultimately rising to roles such as manager, division chief, and deputy director. However, I am also prepared to transition to the private sector with the goal of working in the C-suite of a hospital. One of my most significant accomplishments was managing a COVID-19 response team of over 400 employees at the pandemic's peak. Our team vaccinated a majority of our population, and I am proud to have played a critical role in such a vital effort. Additionally, I received the HRSA grant, which allowed me to further develop my skills and contribute more effectively to public health initiatives. Leadership has been a consistent theme throughout my career. I have served as Chair for the Performance Management Committee (PMC) and as Regional Manager for the COVID-19 response. Currently, I hold the position of Ethics and Compliance Coordinator within my department. My dedication to professional development is evident through my participation in the Leadership Development Program and the Mentorship Program with the County of San Bernardino. Personally, overcoming financial instability caused by a divorce has made me more resilient and strengthened my commitment to personal and professional growth. This award would provide crucial support as I continue my journey toward these goals. Statement 2 My career goals and accomplishments closely align with the mission and values of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). As I work to master public health compliance and leadership, I share ACHE’s commitment to advancing healthcare leadership excellence. Whether I remain in the public sector or transition to the private sector, my goal is to make healthcare more accessible, safer, and affordable for all—objectives central to ACHE’s mission. Managing a COVID-19 response team of over 400 employees and securing the HRSA grant demonstrates my dedication to addressing healthcare challenges. I’ve continually sought leadership roles, such as chairing the Performance Management Committee and serving as a regional manager during the pandemic response, which mirrors ACHE's focus on leadership and lifelong learning. Additionally, ACHE's emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and integrity resonates with my personal values. As an immigrant and first-generation college student, I’ve faced barriers in underserved communities and understand the importance of resilience and inclusion in healthcare leadership. I am committed to fostering a culture of safety, diversity, and equity in healthcare—values that ACHE champions. This award would ease a financial burden by covering the cost of my computer, allowing me to focus fully on the final year of my master's program and pursue my goal of contributing to healthcare leadership excellence.

After graduating from the University of Southern California's Master in Healthcare Administration program, I plan on applying to top PhD health policy programs in the country. This award will allow me to lessen financial stress while I continue my program as a first-generation, low-income graduate student. I moved to California to begin my college career during the pandemic and alone while figuring out the journey. I almost had my college career cut short with a 2.2 GPA as I balanced working full time, taking 18 units, being involved on and off campus and dealing with issues going on back home. After a year, I brought my GPA to a 3.1 and decided to continue my education and apply to MHA programs. I am currently the Digital Democracy Outreach for Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, Price Ambassador at USC, Co-President for the Latinx Graduate Student Association, Co-Director of Social Programming for the Price Latinx Student Association, Research Assistant for USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) and the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. I am on the Communications Committee for ACHE since January. I have also received some scholarships at USC, such as the Latino Alumni Scholarship, Norman Topping Fellow, and the Price Stutter Minority Graduate Fellowship in Health Administration. I am also a 2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Recipient, to which 834 applicants across California apply, and only 76 recipients are chosen. My goals align with ACHE of SoCal's purpose and objectives because of how I plan on using my education to give back to my community. Ensuring my community has access to quality care and advancing my healthcare leadership excellence are just two of the goals I have for myself. Community service is vital for me and have shown this in work I have done with my communities in Nashville and Los Angeles. I hope to one day have a PhD in health policy from a top 10 program in the country where I can then take the skills and education back to my community. I would love to work alongside policy makers to advocate for the Latinx, immigrant, LGBTQ+, low-income communities to guarantee the healthcare we all deserve. Policy work is my passion and would love to continue my work in the years to come. As someone who grew up low-income, with a single mom, Mexican and openly gay in Nashville, I would have never believed I would be in a masters program at 22 and dreaming of one day having a PhD. ACHE is a professional society for healthcare leaders who are committed to improving health, and with my third year of being active within the organization, I believe my goals definitely align with the organization's purpose and objectives. People who come from my background need to take positions that were not made for us to advocate for those who can not advocate for themselves and assuring everyone has access to quality healthcare.