Christian Cepeda is a medical student at the University of California. He is a 2026 recipient of a STFM Foundation Medical Student Scholarship.

Christian's Family Medicine Story

I am a first-generation, low-income Hispanic medical student currently enrolled in the MD/PhD program at the University of California, Irvine. I grew up in a small rural town in Missouri, where access to culturally competent healthcare was scarce. My upbringing, coupled with my family’s experiences navigating language and insurance barriers, shaped my commitment to serve communities that are often overlooked.

My path to medicine began with our family’s primary care provider, Dr Emslander, the only Spanish-speaking physician available within 200 miles. Her ability to communicate with my parents in their native language helped build trust and ensured they received essential care. Later, when my younger brother was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, I saw the life-changing impact of early intervention and culturally responsive care. With no family connections in medicine, I built my own opportunities—from founding my high school’s first medical club to pursuing clinical and research roles across the country. These efforts, supported by scholarships, led me to Stanford and the University of Cambridge and ultimately to medical school.

Where would you like to practice?

I plan to work in a community clinic setting that serves immigrant and Spanish-speaking populations. My long-term goal is to open my own Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), where I can offer culturally competent care and mentor students committed to primary care. I want to create a space that not only delivers care but also builds community trust and empowers the next generation of clinicians.

What do you do when you are not studying?

I serve as co-chair of the Latino Medical Student Association at UCI, where I lead mentorship, outreach, and advocacy programs focused on uplifting Latinx and underserved communities. I also founded FLIMA (First-Generation and/or Low-Income Medical Association), which supports FLI medical students through mentorship, professional development, and community building. I am currently in the process of turning FLIMA into a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit to expand its reach.

How will this scholarship and getting to attend the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education impact you?

As a low-income student, this scholarship significantly eases financial stress and allows me to fully engage with the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education. It provides access to a supportive network of students and mentors who share my commitment to family medicine. The opportunity to attend this conference will strengthen my vision of integrating clinical practice with advocacy and medical education.

What do you see affecting your decision on whether or not to go into family medicine or academic family medicine?

My goal is to merge academic family medicine with community-based practice. I plan to use my future PhD in Public Health to conduct research that informs clinical care and health policy, particularly for underserved populations. I am especially interested in staying engaged with medical education through teaching and mentorship while operating an FQHC that serves immigrant and Spanish-speaking patients. The ability to blend research, education, and patient care within family medicine is what draws me most to this specialty.

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Help transform the future of academic family medicine by donating to the STFM Foundation. If you have questions about the STFM Foundation, contact Mindy Householder at (800) 274-7928 or mhouseholder@stfm.org.