Paulina Monteon-Garcia: Teaching Health for a Better Life

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As a mother to her beautiful son, Paulina Monteon-Garcia realizes how far her parents went to help her have a better life.

She wants to do the same for her son.

Monteon-Garcia is well on her way, because she has a giving spirit and a desire to promote health for her family and the local population, through her work as outreach coordinator for the COACH for Kids and Their Families program in Los Angeles. The program uses mobile units to provide free medical services to underserved children and families across the city.

Growing up in Riverside, Calif., Monteon-Garcia saw the need for culturally appropriate programs, and better health education and resources for low-income communities.

That’s why she is a part of the COACH for Kids program, and why she has also worked with other programs like THINK Together, Arriba Education, and Chumash Scholars Program.

To further her training and education, Garcia applied for the Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. The program, led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez at UT Health San Antonio with support from the National Cancer Institute, recruits 25 master’s-level students and professionals each year for a five-day summer institute to promote doctoral degrees and careers in Latino cancer.

“The [Éxito!] summer institute made me realize that it is possible for me to obtain a doctoral degree regardless of the barriers that we encounter,” Garcia said. “I truly believe I will apply to PhD programs in the future.”

She also urges future participants to “open your heart and mind to the future possibilities.”

Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2017 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply now for 2018.