Admissions Ambassadors

My name is Jorge L. Torres-Garza. I’m originally from Nueva Rosita, a small town in the state of Coahuila in Mexico. I moved to the U.S. when I was 14. I got my B.S. in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Go Runners! I grew up in a family in which many loved ones suffered from a variety of medical conditions. Wishing I could help them was my inspiration to become a physician.

As the first aspiring physician in my family, it was challenging for me to go through the medical school application process alone. I had a single medical student friend who was my source of advice. I acquired a vast amount of knowledge about medical school admissions in my single successful application cycle. I became an ambassador of the Office of Admissions at the Foster School of Medicine as a way to give back to future medical students. I hope to connect with pre-meds and be a source of direction during their admissions journey.

Fun fact: I was a professional musician before starting medical school. I play several instruments including the accordion! 

My name is Brandon Godinich, and I’m from Houston. I completed my undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, where I played Division I men's volleyball. I also completed my Master of Healthcare Administration and Business Administration at the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

Throughout my pre-medical journey, I had to navigate the rigorous application and interview landscape alone, which became lonely and cumbersome at times. Because of this, I was highly motivated to become an admissions ambassador, where I can assist prospective students with the intricacies of applying and attending medical school and share our school with the El Paso community.

I chose to pursue a career in medicine due to its profound capacity to blend scientific inquiry with compassionate care, allowing me to make meaningful contributions to the well-being of individuals and communities. A fun fact about me is that I have two Italian water dogs.  

My name is Elene Valladares. I’m originally from Houston and majored in biology at the University of St. Thomas-Houston.

A major reason why I’m an ambassador is to engage with students from different academic levels. One of the things I enjoy the most about the ambassador program is the outreach we do and the connections with younger students to empower them in their educational journey. I firmly believe that when students feel a sense of belonging, they’re more likely to excel academically and personally.

Before coming to medical school, I took two gap years. I like to share this with pre-med students who feel they are not ready for medical school soon after college. In those gap years, I took my time to take the MCAT and gain more working experience.

My personal experiences with lack of access to health care led to my desire to pursue medicine. My professional experiences have deepened my drive to become a physician that not only treats the patient but provides an uplifting environment for both patient and family.

A fun fact about me is that I enjoy discovering new places to eat!  

My name is Jia Diau, and I was raised in China but moved to the beautiful city of El Paso at the age of 5. As a child, I lived with my grandparents and frequently visited the hospital with them for their checkups. This was where I first fell in love with medicine, as I saw how attentive my grandparents' physicians were to their questions and concerns.

Years later, I attended the University of Texas at Austin and majored in biochemistry, where I solidified my love and interest for science and chose to apply for medical school. Having the privilege of attending the Foster School of Medicine has allowed me to continue to pursue my passion for serving others while also allowing me to give back to the community that raised me.

As a Foster School of Medicine ambassador, I give advice and insight through many of our community outreach programs to inspire the next generation of health care professionals and help them fulfill their own dreams and passion. Through this role, I also learn more about our campus and promote the advantages of its unique position on the border to prospective students. My role as an ambassador has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m honored to represent this beautiful campus to the best of my ability.

Fun fact: During my free time, I love to spend time with my family and pets. I have one dog, six chickens, and two ducks, so things can get very loud and hectic at times!  

My name is Natalie Villarreal. I’m originally from El Paso and San Antonio. I majored in biology and minored in chemistry at St. Mary's University.

A major reason why I’m an ambassador is to inform prospective students about the medical field so they may see it as an option for the future. I think this is important to do for others as others did for me. I am grateful for those who came before me to encourage me in this profession, and it’s a privilege to pay it forward to this community.

Additionally, I was in JAMP, a program for socioeconomically disadvantaged students, which gave me many resources to help me matriculate into medical school. The opportunities provided to me do not go unappreciated, and I want to increase awareness of these types of opportunities to the community for students who are like me.

Fun fact: I love to dance.