Daily Inspiration: Meet Ingrid Gomez

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Gomez

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
“The greater treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.” – Judy Garland

Throughout the unique experiences of my life, I have paid close attention to the surges of my heart, and it has gifted me the opportunity to uniquely impact my Kansas City community. In 2007, I came to the United States as an undocumented individual. On my journey towards becoming a young professional, I experienced numerous limitations within systems I desired to thrive in. Despite these limitations, I found different ways to make up for the opportunities I was denied as an undocumented student. I eventually realized that there were other ways to make it through this path. I managed to graduate high school with 23 college credit hours and earn a full-tuition scholarship to Rockhurst University.

In May of 2024, I graduated from Rockhurst with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical physics & biology as a first-generation student. My academic journey has been a reflection of the devotion I hold towards serving those around me. The roles I have held are opportunities for mutual exchanges of knowledge, endeavors, and perspectives. Service to me is the gift of being able to leave each encounter with another person having gained a new connection, a new experience, and a new outlook on what it means to be human. Over the years, I have been continuously affirmed that a career in healthcare is the avenue in which leadership and service come together and coincide. This summer, I will be an intern for NYU Langone Health – Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, New York. As a patient advocate in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine, I will live the actuality of a career in medicine, by serving Manhattan’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations. As a premedical student, this volunteer program will become an integral part of my aspirations to a women’s health doctor.

My calling to become a women’s health doctor is represented in how my passions have turned into servitude and transpired into invaluable experiences. My professional and academic development is the comprehensive result of the investments my university and city have made in me over the years. Through these experiences, I have come to know that a career as a doctor is where passion, purpose, and service collide.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The obstacles I have faced in my life have inspired the growth of my aspirations and the development of my resilience. Resilience in my life is unique in how it guides my scientific thinking. It’s the engine that fuels curiosity, trial and error, observations, and self-application. Resilience transcends into scientific thinking, scientific thinking into curiosity, and curiosity brings forth inspiration. It prompted me to be investigative in asking “why” and “how.” The autonomy to have control over my own academic experiences became the soil that nurtured inquisitiveness and perseverance. Throughout my time in school, I found myself learning with enthusiasm and taking initiative in my educational experiences. However, my immigration status would eventually attempt to impede my ability to thrive academically. This struggle felt as if the single domicile I looked forward to for empowerment began to reject me. The strenuous process of naturalization and my immigration status were burdens I had no control over. The negative stigma I experienced as an undocumented individual made me feel marginalized as I confronted several challenges within the U.S. educational system. My worth was dictated by the question, “Are you a U.S citizen?” As a first-generation student, my counselors did not know how to help me. I gradually began to feel bound, confined, and restricted. However, because of my curiosity, I became investigative. I asked myself, “How can I make up for this?” “How can I satisfy my interests?” “How can I keep improving and advancing?” Ultimately, I found my answers in technology, engineering programs, and leadership positions that gave me back the authority I lost over my individuality and passion to be a lifelong learner. It wasn’t until I no longer needed a social security to prove my abilities that I was finally granted one. Overall, it comes as no surprise that these qualities, perspectives, and insights came about from my continuous encounter with challenges and setbacks. I changed my focus to adapt to my circumstances, and I turned my academic and personal limitations into different forms of success.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am deeply passionate about improving reproductive health, advocating for social justice, and visual story-telling!

Reproductive Health Advocacy and Research:

As a yearlong volunteer for Uzazi Village, I have contributed to the development of the organization’s lactation training course for doulas and other reproductive health professionals. Uzazi Village holds several programs, community outreach initiatives, and trainings to enhance Black maternal and child health, particularly within underserved communities in Kansas City.

At the University of Kansas Medical Center, I was a Molecular Integrative Physiology Research Intern in Dr. Lane Christenson’s laboratory. Our research focused on fertility control, a critical health issue for premenopausal women. This work has direct implications for the development of healthy oocytes, contraception, and understanding conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and ovarian cancer.

Medical Interpretation and Community Health: I volunteer as a medical interpreter for Jaydoc Free Clinic, where I assist medical students by translating during patient interactions. The clinic primarily serves underserved populations in the Greater Kansas City area, helping to bridge language barriers and improve healthcare access.

STEM Advocacy and Mentorship: As a member of the STEM Student Advisory Panel for the National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with the University of Missouri, Kansas City, I serve as a resource for the STEM Networked Improvement Communities. My story and experiences are featured on the ISTEM+KC’s story collection site, where I aim to inspire and support other STEM students.

Policy Change and Social Justice: I have actively participated in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice for three years. Through this network, I’ve engaged in political activism on issues such as migration, racial justice, economic justice, and environmental justice. I have traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with my state representative’s office, including Senator Josh Hawley, to discuss these critical issues.

Digital Storytelling and Empowering Black Women: As a Kansas City Photographer, Digital Creator, and Storyteller, I use my Instagram, Stefgraphy, to share stories through visual media. I am the owner of a Facebook page, “A Black Girl’s Existence,” dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness of the unique experiences of Black women in the United States. With an audience of 196K followers, this platform allows me to advocate for and empower Black women and girls, sharing their stories and fostering a supportive community.

My passions and work are multidisciplinary, combining scientific research, community service, advocacy, and digital storytelling to bring about tangible impacts to reproductive health, justice, and empowerment. I am most proud of my ability to bridge these diverse areas, leveraging my skills and experiences to foster positive change and advocate for underrepresented voices.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I become very enthusiastic when I get to tell others about the podcast “Ten Percent Happier” with Dan Harris! In this show, Dan engages with renowned meditation teachers, leading scientists, and occasionally notable celebrities. “Ten Percent Happier” produces a range of podcasts that provide practical wisdom aimed at helping listeners navigate the challenges and opportunities of daily life.

I also enjoy listening to the Huberman Lab podcast because it offers in-depth insights into neuroscience and human behavior, presented by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a distinguished neuroscientist. The podcast effectively translates complex scientific concepts into accessible information, providing practical advice on optimizing mental and physical health. Each episode features evidence-based discussions on topics such as brain function, sleep, stress, and productivity, which are both informative and applicable to everyday life. This combination of scientific rigor and practical relevance makes the Huberman Lab podcast a valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing their well-being and understanding of the human brain.

My faith plays a crucial role in helping me excel both professionally and academically. It provides me with a strong foundation of values, purpose, and resilience. It instills in me a sense of integrity and commitment to excellence, motivating me to perform at my highest level in all endeavors. Faith offers me a sense of purpose, guiding my actions and decisions with a clear sense of meaning and direction. It also fuels my resilience, helping me navigate challenges and setbacks with patience and perseverance. By grounding me in these principles, my faith allows me to approach my professional and creative work with dedication, compassion, and continuous dedication towards growth and improvement. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

Pricing:

• Contact me through instagram @Stefgraphy or email: [email protected] for photography pricing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/IngridGomez?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaaJ0dK4tr2uJ9vwmczZf9ETPt7VSP7IcCi16qxxqnkn6swxJMD_xK8ty0_aem_AU7uS_92bQGREymkYm4HkaHQvaSxW8rzWagIeO5qL5CulTCsTQMedZlyJsINeXtqQekW_1tqr1VQfXIWEn-_WV6V
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baybeauti?igsh=MTE4MXAyY3ZhdjNnNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

 

 

Image Credits
JB Studio LLC – personal photo
Carlie Terry- photographer photo