Rangel’s favorite part of the experience was the speaker series, where distinguished healthcare providers and faculty discuss their pathways to healthcare and the impact their research can have with addressing issues in health systems. One of Rangel’s most memorable moments was when a panel of the UC Davis bioethics healthcare board aided students in a presentation and discussion on ethical approaches towards making a decision for a patient. “This is one of the only programs that I’ve been a part of where you constantly hear from people in the field who are currently working on projects relevant to the field” Rangel stated. Attending the speaker series provided Rangel and her peers the opportunity to learn from and network with industry professionals and gain insight into careers across the healthcare industry.

After participating in the experience, Rangel had the opportunity to work at the UC Davis Perinatal Origins of Disparity Center, which focuses on preventing health disparities early in life. There, she directly applied her skills to better serve all patients while raising awareness of existing biases in healthcare. Advancing Health Care Equity paved the way for her future lab work as an assistant to Dr. Daniel Stolzenberg in the psychology department, where she studied postpartum depression and the effects of psilocybin on pregnant women. This role not only influenced her research goals but also gave her insight into how research can address determinants of health. Reflecting on her aspirations, she states, “I’m planning to go into research in the future, so working in a lab was one of my big goals.”

In Rangel’s third year, Dr. Meaghan O'Keefe, faculty lead for Critical Medical Humanities and chair of the Medical Humanities minor, invited her to become the Medical Humanities Peer Advisor. In this role, she advises students interested in the UC Davis newly established Medical Humanities minor. Dr. O'Keefe explained, “This minor helps you become more well-rounded and better understand your patients and their backgrounds. It requires 20 units—8 required and 12 elective—covering topics such as history, sociology, religious studies, and science and technology studies. These courses are essential for gaining a comprehensive understanding of ethics in healthcare, which is crucial for future professionals.” In a new iteration of the experience launching in spring 2025, students will be able to complete the entire medical humanities minor in just 10 weeks.

Rangel’s journey illustrates the program's dedication to fostering well-rounded healthcare professionals who are deeply attuned to the communities they serve. By providing internships with experiences alongside healthcare professionals and opportunities for groundbreaking research, UC Davis continues to prepare students to lead the way toward a more just and inclusive future in healthcare.