Fri Oct 11: Pathways to Medicine: Insights from a Diverse Panel of UC Davis Medical Students

Christi Candido, MS II
Christi Candido (IG: @christi.md) graduated from the University of California, Davis with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Science and Society. As a non-traditional applicant, first-generation student, and immigrant, she has made her own blueprint to be successful throughout her medical school journey. With these blueprints, she hopes to share them with future generations to ease their trek towards becoming a physician. The reality of applying to medical school is exhausting in all levels: mentally, emotionally and financially. After graduating, she knew she needed to do a post-bacc program to become a more competitive applicant. Because of this, she completed an informal/DIY post-bacc at local community colleges and a formal post-bacc program at CSU, East Bay PHAP. In total of post-bacc years, she did 2 years being a part-time student while working and did 1.5 years as a full-time student while studying for the MCAT. Currently, she is a medical student at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine in the REACH track.
Christie’s ultimate goal during this time is to provide mentorship for those who are underrepresented and advocate for those who may not have had a successful academic history during undergrad. She did 5 “growth”/gap years. Like everyone else, she struggled with figuring out who she is, and it took her years to really start working through that. As an immigrant from an underserved community, she really wondered what she brings to the table. It may be shadowed by self-doubts and external judgments, but she is here to remind you: You have a purpose. Let’s figure it out together.

Geraldine Abilo Cardenas, MSII
Geraldine Abilo-Cardenas, otherwise known as “Babi”, is a Los Angeles native and aspiring physician. At 16, she worked as a theatrical technician with dreams of becoming a big shot lighting designer in New York. Once she discovered her love for neurobiology, she switched paths and transferred from community college to UC Berkeley as a Psychology major. At Cal, Babi held a variety of positions including a research assistant at the Berkeley Psychophysiology lab studying, Salsa at Cal officer, Pilipinx Cultural Night performer, and food warehouse coordinator for a 17-house co-op. It was through these experiences that she met other underrepresented pre-meds who motivated her to pursue a career in healthcare.
After graduating from Cal, Babi returned to community college for an informal post-baccalaureate program, and switched to a formal program through Mills College. She volunteered as a women’s health education coach at San Francisco’s county hospital and as a volunteer health advocate for the primary care clinics. She led the program as an interim supervisor and eventually became the Quality Improvement Analyst for the largest pediatric clinic in the county. Babi also worked as a community research advisor for projects aimed at improving preterm birth outcomes for BIPOC families, volunteered as an after-school teacher for girls in under-resourced elementary schools, and worked as a part-time receptionist at a dance studio where she took classes in Samba, Bhangra, and Hip Hop.
After two application cycles, a 5-year gap from undergrad, Babi aims to continue serving uninsured/underinsured working class patients in public healthcare throughout the rest of her career.

Frank Sierra, MSII
As a second-year medical student at UC Davis School of Medicine with a 10-year gap period prior to matriculating, Frank’s nontraditional journey to medical school is one of determination and resilience. Being raised in the East Bay town of Pittsburg, CA as the product of a single mother and incarcerated father, Frank’s desire to break his family’s cycle of intergenerational incarceration led him to becoming a first-generation college graduate and eventual medical student.
After graduating with his bachelor’s from UC Davis in 2013, Frank spent several years working in hospital and clinical settings garnering relevant work and research experience prior to medical school while balancing family obligations and working on making himself a more competitive applicant for medical school. After returning to UC Davis in 2023 as a medical student, Frank has involved himself in student run organizations such as the Latino Medical Student Association and Clínica Tepati focusing on advancing Latino representation in medicine and improving healthcare disparities and patient outcomes.

James Aboagye, MSII
Hailing from Rialto, California, James Aboagye has emerged as a beacon of tenacity and achievement on his journey from UCLA alum to second-year medical student at UC Davis. Growing up in Rialto instilled in him a sense of community and purpose, values that have permeated his academic and professional pursuits. As a proud UCLA alum, James navigated the challenges of a non-traditional student, overcoming obstacles with resilience and learning through reflecting in his post-grad endeavors and beyond.
James’s narrative takes a unique turn with a transformative 10-year gap before entering medical school. During this period, he honed his skills, embraced diverse experiences, and faced the rigors of multiple MCATs and application cycles. Rather than succumbing to the challenges, James viewed each hurdle as an opportunity for growth. Now, as a first-year medical student at UC Davis, he brings the wisdom of his journey to the forefront, embodying the spirit of Rialto and proving that a steadfast commitment to one’s goals can lead to remarkable achievements in the field of medicine.

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