ElevateMeD Scholar: Reyna Benitez

Meet Reyna Benitez

ElevateMeD Scholar 2024-25

Reyna Benitez shares why she is pursuing a career in rural family medicine and how her experiences will help make her a more empathetic and effective physician.

Hometown: Newhall, California
Medical Education: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Undergraduate Education: Fresno Pacific University in Human Biology
Current Career Plan: Become a rural family medicine physician.
Specialty Interest: Family Medicine
I am most proud of being a Nahua woman and representing indigenous culture, values, and traditions.
You might be surprised to know that I love learning new instruments. I started with classical flute in school and now enjoy playing native wooden flutes and acoustic guitar.
ElevateMeD is… an opportunity in my journey towards a career in medicine. Indigenous voices have been underrepresented in the medical field, hindered by multiple barriers that limit our potential. ElevateMeD offers more than just financial assistance; it provides a lifeline, a pathway to achieving my dreams while honoring my cultural identity. With access to mentorship, leadership training, and crucial financial education, ElevateMeD empowers Indigenous scholars like me to not only succeed but to thrive as future leaders in healthcare.

Other ElevateMeD Scholars

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News Spotlights

Scholar Spotlights

News

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Casey Martinez

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Casey Martinez shares why she is passionate about advancing the healthcare system as a Hispanic female physician. Martinez seeks to encourage others through mentorship and teaching.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Univeristy of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

ElevateMeD Scholar: Ayomide Odeneye

Univeristy of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Ayomide Odeneye shares how pursuing challenging activities brought him to a career in medicine and how ElevateMeD stands as a formidable force against the barriers to pursue medicine.

Univeristy of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Campus

ElevateMeD Scholar: Steven Prado

Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Campus

Steven Prado talks about his passion for medicine and becoming an inspiration for other medical students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix Campus

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

ElevateMeD Scholar: Reyna Benitez

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Reyna Benitez shares why she is pursuing a career in rural family medicine and how her experiences will help make her a more empathetic and effective physician.

A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Fatoumata Jawo

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Fatoumata Jawo discusses her passion for closing language barriers in mental health and why she is pursuing a career in psychiatry.

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Texas Christian University School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Christopher Corona

Texas Christian University School of Medicine

Christopher Corona shares why he chose a career in medicine, his interest in primary care or pediatrics, and being a leader in medicine.

Texas Christian University School of Medicine

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Celebrates Five Years of Increasing Physician Workforce Diversity

ElevateMeD

Launched on May 13, 2019, ElevateMeD celebrates the fifth anniversary of their commitment to prioritizing physician workforce diversity, closing the gap of financial inequity in medical education, and empowering the next generation of diverse physician leaders and announces its 2024-25 ElevateMeD Scholars cohort.

ElevateMeD

Morehouse School of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Onyinye Okonma

Morehouse School of Medicine

Onyinye Okonma discusses his journey to medicine, the importance of diversity in medicine, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

Morehouse School of Medicine

Rowan University Cooper Medical School

ElevateMeD Scholar: Samantha Rosa

Rowan University Cooper Medical School

Samantha Rosa shares what inspired her to pursue medicine, the cost to do so, and what pushes her to keep going.

Rowan University Cooper Medical School

University of Illinois College of Medicine

ElevateMeD Scholar: Ejehi Erewele

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Ejehi Erewele describes her journey to medicine, understanding the cost, and becoming an ElevateMeD Scholar.

University of Illinois College of Medicine

Donor Spotlights

News

How Student Organizations Like @OhioAMSA Help Support ElevateMeD

Student organizations like Ohio University American Medical Student Association help us engage bright minds and expand our reach. These organizations are filled with future physicians who will become leaders, thinkers, and doers. We must not only look for ways to partner with these student organizations but also continue to encourage and support them along their physician journey.

Why Council & Associates Gives.

Each year since 2019, Council and Associates LLC has risen to the occasion to become an event sponsor for our Explosion of a Dream and Ignite Atlanta scholarship events. We asked owner, Lashonda Council-Rogers, Esq., to share the why behind her generous giving and to give a view of what she experiences attending ElevateMeD events as a sponsor.

Walton Isaacson Helps ElevateMeD Support The Future of Medicine

Founded in 2006, Walton Isaacson is one of the most respected advertising agencies in the world, having worked with clients such as Lexus, McDonalds, and Amazon to name a few.

Love, Tito’s Continues Support of ElevateMeD Mission During Black History Month

Thank you #LoveTitos for continuing to support our mission and acknowledging the work that we are doing to elevate the field of medicine!

All Medical Personnel donates over $43,000 to ElevateMeD

All Medical Personnel’s partnership with ElevateMeD continues with a generous donation of $43,000 in 2022. In 2021, $52,647 was raised totaling over $95,000 for the past two years.

Bayless Commitment to Mental Health Scholarship

As part of a two-year pledge to ElevateMeD, this special scholarship is awarded to ElevateMeD Scholars who present a desire to pursue a medical career that will impact mental health in communities of color.

Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation Grants $50K to ElevateMeD Scholar

In 2019, our organization was introduced to Dr. Timothy Gooding and Mrs. Alisa Gooding, two of the co-founders of Arizona based nonprofit Inspire Youth Enrichment Foundation.

Couple Fundraises for Nonprofit Through Registry in Lieu of Wedding Gifts

The generosity of ElevateMeD Mentor Dr. Louise Yeung and her husband has truly shown us how together we can give in creative ways!

Tito's Handmade Vodka Supports ElevateMeD for Black History Month

Thank you #LoveTitos for continuing to support our mission and acknowledging the work that we are doing to elevate the field of medicine!

All Medical Personnel partners with ElevateMeD

With the support of their employees and CEO, a gift for $52,647.00 was presented to ElevateMeD on January 18, 2022. We are grateful to All Medical Personnel for their support of our Scholars program and look forward to highlighting their work at our events throughout the year.

RICARDO CORREA, MD, EDD, FACP, FACE, FACMQ

Health Care Disparities and the Latinx Population (Read Article)

MARISSA VASQUEZ, MD, MBA

Latinas in Motion Impacting the Sports Industry (Read Article)

News

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Three New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Our Newest Board Member Dr. Jeshenna Watkins

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Board Member…

ElevateMeD

ElevateMeD Welcomes Four New Advisory Board Members

ElevateMeD

Please join us in welcoming our newest Advisory Board members…

ElevateMeD

Keiona Eady

Congratulations to our Advisory Board Members on #Match2022!

Keiona Eady

Congratulations are in order for our Advisory Board Members Sophia Ederaine and Johanny Lopez Dominguez! We were honored to celebrate with them this #MatchDay2022, as they both learned about their residency upon graduation this Spring!

Keiona Eady

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Dr. Alyx Porter Umphrey Receives the 2020 Dean's Diversity/Inclusion Award at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

Alyx Porter Umphrey, MD, FAAN

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

It was not easy for me

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

I decided to join the Board of Directors for ElevateMeD because it aligns with my core value of inclusion. The literature showed that to provide the best healthcare to our patients, we need to understand their culture, speak their language, among other factors.

Ricardo Correa MD, EsD, FACP, FACE, CMQ

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

The time to transform healthcare is now!

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Healthcare is my ministry. It is a calling and my inroad to impact social change. I firmly believe that any disparity within our industry serves as a microcosm for injustices that continue to plague society-at-large. I am on a mission to truly transform healthcare and looking to partner with anyone that shares the same mindset.

Gyasi Chisley, PMP, FACHE

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

You can't be what you can't see.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

I chose to pursue a career in anesthesiology because I enjoy moment-to-moment decision making as well as the practical application of physiology and pharmacology. 3% of anesthesiologists are reported to identify as Black/African-American. Of those 3%, the majority are women.

Tiffany Hardaway MD, MS

Patrick Brooks, CPA

How do students make it through without support?

Patrick Brooks, CPA

As a CPA, I was even more drawn to the organization due to our commitment to ensuring that our scholars are financially educationally equipped and prepared to navigate through their medical school matriculation fully informed.

Patrick Brooks, CPA