Monica Anne Faye Villegas

Region: 1N

Current level in training/school: First-year med student (DO 2024) at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Interests in medicine: family medicine/emergency medicine

​Hobbies: I love watching True Crime documentaries, going to museums, and looking for a good ice cream spot

Highlights: I'm currently doing research in a lab that looks at these neuroprotective cells in relation to diseases of the eye like diabetic retinopathy or retinitis pigmentosa. As someone who has diabetes running in the family and whose relatives have lost their vision due to complications of their diabetes, this research is personal and gives me an opportunity to look into a therapeutic solution for the future.

What are some challenges you faced in your medical journey as a FilAm?

As a First Gen immigrant, I had to navigate this new country with a language barrier and adjust into this new life alongside my parents. I think the greatest challenge has been the application process, more so for college, because they simply didn't know how it all worked. In addition, I took a few gap years to get clinical experience and also got a Masters to make my application more competitive and there was a lot of back and forth during this time, because my parents couldn't understand why I wasn't in medical school just yet.

What aspect of being FilAm helped you in your medical journey?

All the Filipino values (family, hard work, loyalty - are some) helped me stay grounded and level-headed during the application process and in my first year of medical school. I think the biggest one that comes to mind is resilience. I watched a talk by a Latinx doctor and he said "your culture has given you everything you need to succeed," and I really do believe that the Filipino culture is one of the greatest tools I have that is going to help me become a great doctor.

Why do you want to help the FilAm community?

My parents, especially my mom, taught me to always give back even when you don't have much to give. So with that always in mind, I want to help the FilAm community however I can, in this case for now, with mentorship. I want more medical students to look like me and then provide guidance and encouragement when needed, because it's quite the long road.

What is one advice you would give to a FilAm pre-med student? A FilAm medical student?

To a pre-med: If this is what you really want to do, not your family or parents, then stick to it. I did it, so you can do it too!

To a med student: Always remember why you are doing what you are doing. It will get you back on the right path each time.