Antonio Espinoza

School of Medicine

I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in Montgomery, West Virginia, before moving back to Florida. I graduated from Jacksonville University with a B.S. in chemistry and a specialization in biochemistry, in addition to minors in sociology, psychology, and community service learning. 

During my undergraduate, I helped found a Colleges Against Cancer chapter at Jacksonville University, where we reached out to and supported cancer patients while fundraising for their care. I also participated in community service projects through my service-learning minor, which included outreach to at-risk youth, supporting assisted living residents during COVID-19, and teaching elementary school students about pollution.  I also processed patient intake at Muslim American Social Services, a free healthcare clinic for the uninsured and individuals unable to afford care. 

The main reason I applied to the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars (UST/AS) Program is the potential it provides to engage and work with an interdisciplinary group of peers with the shared goal of achieving better health outcomes for the underserved. The program also focuses on providing students with all the tools and skills available to improve social determinants of health and help patients lead healthier lifestyles. This unique blend of interdisciplinary study and exposure to community-focused healthcare resources will help me improve public health policy, provide a social safety net for patients, and change my community.