Ricardo V. Lopez, MPH, CHES
Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA USA
"I realized that in challenging situations, if I was the first one to say no, then I would be the first one to lose."
Career Roadmap
Ricardo V. 's work combines: Science, Medicine, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Orange High School
Associate's Degree
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Santiago Canyon College
Bachelor's Degree
BS in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
University of California, Los Angeles
Graduate Degree
MPH in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
California State University, Fullerton
Certification
Certified Health Education Specialist
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc
Certification
Master Trainer
Stanford University, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
Certification
Master Trainer
Stanford University, Tomando Control de Su Salud
Certification
Master Trainer
Stanford University, Diabetes Self-Management Program
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Disease Management Program Educator:
Bachelor's Degree: AS in Biology
Bachelor's Degree: BS in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Graduate Degree: MPH in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Certification: Certified Health Education Specialist
Certification: Master Trainer
Certification: Master Trainer
Certification: Master Trainer
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Graduating undergraduate and graduate school despite of being undocumented. In the late 90's & 2000s there was no formal support to help undocumented students succeed in the higher education system.
2.
Family first. Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance.
3.
First-generation and first in my family to obtain an associates, undergraduate, and Master level education.
4.
Having chosen to major and study STEM has provided a strong foundation for critical thinking and outside-the-box thinking.
5.
Learned value of starting and working things from scratch, and the importance of having to trail-blaze to succeed.
6.
Learning early on the importance of empathy, humility, and proactive-assertive advocacy.
7.
Work and thrive in multi-disciplinary fields and environments.
8.
Giving back, realizing privileges, and looking out for others.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You're an immigrant and undocumented; you have no place in this society and institutional structures will limit your success.
How I responded:
I learned to not be my own worst critic, and to not be the first one to tell myself "no." There were times when I questioned my ability to achieve and succeed. I eventually realized that in challenging situations if I was the first one to say "no", then I would be the first one to lose. I learned I deserved to tell myself "yes." I had to be the first one to set pathways towards success. This way, even if I failed or was told "no," I at least confronted my fears and enhanced my self-confidence.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Being an undocumented citizen was one of the hardest challenges I have ever had to overcome. During my first year of university at UCLA, I had to work multiple jobs and had to make many sacrifices just to be able to afford my way of living.
It's both a burden and a responsibility to be a first-generation immigrant. Most of the burden comes from trying to achieve goals despite of starting the race multiple laps behind and responsibility comes from ensuring you continue to run your race.