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As Match Day approaches, Julia Vasquez Gonzalez is reflecting on a journey defined by resilience, discovery and a deep commitment to serving others. 

A fourth-year medical student at Morehouse School of Medicine, Vasquez Gonzalez has taken a path to medicine shaped by personal sacrifice, global perspective and hands-on healthcare experience. Now, after years of preparation and growth, she looks ahead to the next step in her career as she prepares to enter residency training in general surgery. 

Originally from Palmira, a small town in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, Vasquez Gonzalez immigrated to the United States with her mother in 2008. The move eventually led them to Miami, a place she now considers her second home. 

Her journey toward medicine began with a clear vision during her undergraduate years at the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. But like many students graduating in 2020, her plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Rather than rushing forward, she made the difficult decision to step away from the traditional timeline and take two gap years. What began as an uncertain pause ultimately became one of the most formative periods of her life. 

At the height of the pandemic, Vasquez Gonzalez obtained an emergency license to work as a certified nursing assistant in Miami. Working on the frontlines at Baptist Homestead Hospital, she witnessed the realities of health care during a global crisis and gained a new perspective on teamwork, patient care and the role of every member of the medical team. 

“I was at the bottom of the pyramid as a tech,” she said. “But it was incredible because I learned what kind of doctor I want to be and what kind of things I want to avoid when I become a doctor.” 

Her experiences did not stop there. In late 2021, she took a travel position in Wisconsin at the Central Wisconsin Center, one of the last remaining institutions in the United States that cares for individuals with severe developmental disabilities who live in residential care settings. 

The work presented a completely new patient population and a profound opportunity to serve individuals who often cannot communicate verbally and who may not have active family support. 

“You learn to connect in different ways,” she said. “You see it in how patients react when you sing to them, play music or care for them. It’s incredibly meaningful when you know you’re making a difference.” 

Those experiences helped solidify her commitment to medicine and prepared her for the transition to medical school at Morehouse School of Medicine. 

Now in her final year of training, Vasquez Gonzalez describes her medical school experience as one of personal growth and discovery. While many students say medical school passes quickly, she took a different approach. 

“I tried to be present in each moment,” she said. “For me, it didn’t feel like it flew by. It felt like four full years of learning and growth.” 

Her career interests also evolved during that time. She initially entered medical school planning to pursue obstetrics and gynecology, later considered internal medicine and ultimately discovered her passion for surgery. 

The turning point came during a surgical rotation through the More in Common Alliance partnership, which gave her the opportunity to rotate at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. 

What began as a chance to explore something new quickly became a defining experience. 

“I’m not a morning person,” she said with a laugh. “But I found myself waking up at four in the morning excited to go to the operating room.” 

In surgery, she found a field that combined responsibility, precision and the opportunity to make an immediate impact on patients’ lives. 

“When a patient comes to the operating room, they’re trusting you to help solve a problem that’s affecting their life,” she said. “It’s a huge responsibility, because every surgery changes someone’s body. I take that very seriously.” 

Beyond the technical aspects of the field, Vasquez Gonzalez also hopes to use her career to serve communities that often face barriers to care — particularly immigrant and Spanish-speaking patients. 

During clinical training at Grady Memorial Hospital, she frequently encountered patients who felt an immediate sense of relief when they realized they could speak to their physician in Spanish. 

“The conversation changes completely,” she said. “When someone can speak their own language, they feel understood. They feel more comfortable.” 

For Vasquez Gonzalez, those moments reinforce the importance of representation in medicine. 

“As an immigrant and a Hispanic physician, I hope to continue being a voice for my community,” she said. “It’s important for patients to see themselves reflected in the people who care for them.” 

Her time at Morehouse School of Medicine has further shaped her commitment to caring for patients holistically — treating not just a diagnosis, but the person behind it. 

“The mission here is real,” she said. “We don’t just treat the problem. We treat the person.” 

One particularly impactful moment during her training came during a conversation with a faculty mentor about breast cancer care at Grady Memorial Hospital. Learning how research conducted with local patient populations helped improve survival rates for triple-negative breast cancer profoundly shaped her view of medicine’s potential. 

“What was once almost a death sentence now has around a 70 percent survival rate,” she said. “It showed me that when physicians notice a problem and care enough to study it, they can change outcomes for entire communities.” 

As Match Day approaches, Vasquez Gonzalez says the moment will represent more than a professional milestone. It will be a reflection of the sacrifices and support that helped make her journey possible. 

“I think of it as a flower blooming from a seed that many people watered,” she said. “My parents, my siblings, my fiancé, my friends...so many people poured into this journey.” 

When she finally opens her Match Day envelope, she knows the moment will be emotional. 

“There will probably be a lot of tears,” she said. “But it will also be a moment of gratitude.” 

For Vasquez Gonzalez, the day will serve as a powerful reminder that perseverance, sacrifice and community support can transform even the most challenging paths into opportunities for growth. 

“It’s a testament that people like me can do this,” she said. “And I’m incredibly grateful to be here.” 

 

 

 

About the Author

Michael Martin is a content strategist who believes in crafting compelling stories that inspire and connect. With a pen for storytelling, he brings the journeys of students, faculty and staff to life, highlighting their impact and dedication to healthcare.

Contact

Michael Martin
Digital Content Strategist
Office of Marketing & Communications
mamartin@msm.edu