Bridging the healthcare accessibility gap among marginalized communities.
Michelle is from Chicago, Illinois, where growing up in an immigrant family inspired her to become a trusted resource for others navigating educational and community opportunities. As a first-generation college student, she has transformed her own experiences into service by helping peers understand the college application process, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities while advocating for greater access to resources for underserved youth. Her commitment to public health and community engagement is reflected in her role as a two-term Chicago Mayor’s Youth Commissioner, where she represents more than 25,000 young people in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood and helps develop initiatives focused on youth mental health and health equity. Michelle has also worked as a community outreach representative, connecting families with housing, healthcare, immigration, and educational resources through bilingual outreach in English and Spanish. She will attend Rice University, where she plans to continue combining her passion for healthcare, public service, and mentorship. By empowering young people with the knowledge and support she once had to seek on her own, Michelle hopes to help build stronger, healthier communities for generations to come.
Leadership:
1.) Co-chair commissioner of Public Health working group: Mayors Youth Commission
2.) Peer Health facilitator: Peer to Peer Health Exchange
3.) Acute pediatric surgery department intern: Lurie Children’s Hospital
