SUMMARY:
Hook: As a future physician, Valeria is dedicated to breaking down barriers in healthcare.
Activities: Collaborated on clinical research projects. Volunteered at Coachella Valley Free Clinic. Advocated for undocumented students through student panels, symposium presentations, and a lobbying trip.
Valeria Barrientos ‘25 is an excellent example of balancing academic excellence with compassionate care. As a future physician, she strives to make an impact in patient care and comfort. As a Highlander, Valeria has her own support system that wants to see her succeed.
SOUND BITES/HEADLINES
Breaking down language and educational barriers in healthcare
As a future physician, Valeria Barrientos ‘25 provides comfort to patients through shared language and care. As an undocumented student turned advocate, she not only earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from UCR but spoke up on healthcare access for her community.
From classroom to patient care
At UC Riverside, Valeria Barrientos ‘25 collaborated on impactful research projects. But the connection she made with her patients motivated her to make a difference as a future physician.
NARRATIVE:
Born in El Salvador, Valeria Barrientos ‘25 came to UC Riverside with the goal of helping others through medicine. In the classroom, Valeria collaborated on projects researching health impacts such as COVID-19. When she started volunteering at the Coachella Valley Free Clinic, she realized how much she enjoyed communicating with patients.
With experiences such as comforting a patient in a shared language, she knew that she wanted to provide support through a holistic approach. As an undocumented person and Spanish speaker, she was uniquely suited to working with immigrant patients. At UCR, Valeria's background presented financial challenges, but campus resources and mentors helped her achieve her goals.
Thanks to Valeria’s support system, she earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees. She plans to attend medical school at UCR and work towards advocating and providing primary care for the immigrant community in the Inland Empire.
QUOTES
"My journey of becoming a physician is deeply rooted in lived experience. Every step I take is a promise to stand for justice, to protect the dignity of undocumented and underserved minorities, and to offer compassionate care that sees both the person and the barriers they carry.”
AVAILABLE ASSETS
Featured in: School of Medicine News
For additional assets, please reach out to University Relations (annie.cao@ucr.edu).