First-year VCOM-Carolinas student Celeste Prado was recently honored in Washington, DC, after receiving a National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) Scholarship—an award recognizing future health professionals committed to improving Hispanic and underserved communities. Prado described the moment as “immense pride and also disbelief,” adding that the recognition reminded her “how far my family and I have come.”
Prado applied for the scholarship seeking connection with health professionals and public health leaders who share her goal of strengthening care for Hispanic communities. She said the award symbolizes far more than financial support: “It represents being seen, encouraged, and believed in at a stage of my journey when that support means everything.” She said hearing other scholars’ stories—each rooted in “family, resilience, and service”—reaffirmed her motivation for pursuing medicine.
At the 2025 Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala, Prado said the atmosphere felt “surreal,” noting that she was surrounded by individuals who have “dedicated their lives to improving health outcomes for Hispanic and Latino communities across the country.” Listening to leaders speak, she said, underscored that “being a provider extends far beyond the exam room,” and that “advocacy, policy, and representation matter just as much.”
Prado believes her path to VCOM contributed to her selection. While working in clinical research in Durham, North Carolina, she noticed how few Hispanic patients were included in studies and made it a priority to address that gap.
“Representation in research directly affects the quality of care our communities receive,” she said, adding that her focus on building trust with Spanish-speaking patients helped ensure they felt understood and included.
Looking ahead, Prado hopes to practice medicine in a way that centers cultural understanding and accessibility. “I know what it feels like to face language barriers during moments of vulnerability,” she said. “I want every patient, regardless of background, culture, or language, to feel understood and supported.” She added that her long-term goal is to serve communities that have historically felt “unseen or unheard within the healthcare system.”
Her experience at VCOM has deepened that commitment. Prado said the college’s mission to care for rural and underserved populations “aligns closely with my own values,” and that volunteer and service-learning opportunities have shown her “how impactful community-centered medicine can be.” She said the example set by faculty “who genuinely care about expanding access to healthcare” continues to reinforce her goals.
Prado also emphasized how much the recognition means to her personally. “I am truly grateful for this scholarship and for everyone who has supported me along the way,” she said. She added that volunteering alongside VCOM faculty and classmates has shown her “how deeply committed the institution is to caring for those without access to healthcare.” Above all, she hopes her achievement signals something important to others: “I want students from immigrant or underrepresented backgrounds to know there is a place for them in medicine, and that their voices and lived experiences are needed.”
