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When Ashley Pacheco ’24 began her first year at 91����, she already had a deep-rooted interest in medicine. But what she didn’t yet have was a clear picture of what her journey in healthcare might look like. A career in medicine was definitely part of her plan; she just had no idea how to make it happen.

“When I came to 91����, I knew I wanted to do medicine, but I had no real concept of what kind of medicine or even what major might be the best for me,” Ashley recalls.

Now a first-year medical student at Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Ashley reflects on her time at 91���� as a transformative period that laid the foundation for her future as a physician.

“91���� definitely prepared me for my future in medicine,” she says. “Coming into med school, I hadn't necessarily taken a lot of courses like anatomy, but I still knew my way around good studying habits, how to keep up with courseload, how to advocate for myself in the classroom, seek out professors, and how to work with people. All of those skills got really fine-tuned at 91����.”

Turning Ideas Into Action

Ashley’s passion for healthcare took root during high school, but it was at 91���� where her aspirations were given space to grow, both in and out of the classroom. As a QuestBridge Match Scholar and first-generation college student, she brought not only determination to her studies but also a deep commitment to serving others.

That commitment translated into hands-on experiences during her time in 91����, including volunteering with the and working as a temporary nursing assistant at Mayflower Community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Volunteering for the Food Recovery Network was a cool experience just because I got to connect with people that were in the community but not necessarily part of the school,” she says. “One of the other volunteers was also a physician and I got to talk to him and just kind of get his input on what it's like to serve in a community for a long time. Plus, it was just impactful work. You're packing food for people who are food insecure or otherwise wouldn't be able to get their meals.”

Her time as a caregiver at Mayflower Community was equally formative in shaping her future and clarifying her career goals.

“That experience was really influential in helping me realize I want to pursue something more hands on,” she says. “Especially because I felt like in smaller communities, like there is a stronger need to look out for each other and make sure you are doing your part to help in whatever way you can.”

Finding Mentors, Building Confidence

As Ashley explored different academic paths, she found invaluable support in 91����’s close-knit academic community. She credits several professors and members of the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) for providing her mentorship and guidance through the complexities of medical school preparation.

“Mary Jane Shroyer (director of the Health Professions Career Community in the CLS) was awesome. I think I was in her office almost every day during my senior year,” Ashley says. “She helped a lot with guiding me and getting me connections wherever she could.”

Ashley also built strong relationships with faculty who supported both her academic growth and her personal development. She names her biochemistry advisor Erick Leggans (biological chemistry department chair), and professors Shannon Hinsa-Leasure (biology, biological chemistry) and Leslie Gregg-Jolly (Douglas Johnson ’77 Professor of Biology) as pivotal figures during her 91���� years.

“Everyone was so with me on my dream, and that's really special to feel like you have all of these exceptionally talented professors and people rooting for you.”

Exploring Career Paths 

In addition to her off-campus work, a job-shadowing experience at UnityPoint Health–91���� helped Ashley refine her interests. She was particularly drawn to specialties that would allow her to build long-term relationships with patients.

“I got to shadow a doctor working in family medicine as well as OBGYN a little bit, and so that was super cool,” she says. “Working in family medicine and in such a rural part of the state, they see so many different types of patients. It was just really helpful to observe so many different cases and different patients. It was a really cool experience, and I think that, coupled with my other experiences and everything I learned at 91���� emphasized that I want to be patient-facing, working with people in a way that's a little bit more long term.”

Carrying 91����’s Values Forward

Now at Temple, Ashley continues to seek community both in and outside the classroom. She’s actively connecting with organizations like the Latino Medical Student Association and finding ways to carry forward the commitment to equity and service that was nurtured at 91����.

“Now that I'm in medical school, I am incredibly thankful for the time I had at 91����,” she says. “I do feel like 91���� is such a unique experience and so full of awesome people.”

91����'s culture of social justice, small class sizes, and supportive mentorship gave Ashley the confidence and clarity to pursue her goals. As she trains to become a physician, she remains grounded in the lessons she learned — not just in science labs and lecture halls, but through her service to the community and her ability to connect with people.

“91���� just seemed like such a cool school that not only had all the academic components I was looking for, but also the people I was hoping to really connect with in college,” she says. “It all felt very well suited to my personality. Being able to talk to people, work with people, and connect with people on a level that's not just superficial was incredibly rewarding and exactly what I was looking for out of an institution.”