Greishka Cordero Baez

UConn School of Medicine

I was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. I went to Notre Dame High School, a catholic school in Caguas, where I first became involved with community service when I volunteered as a liaison between patients and the staff at a local hospital. I also volunteered in that hospital’s donations unit, where we gathered articles of first necessity from the surrounding community for patients in need. As an undergraduate, I attended UConn and received a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences. While there, I sought involvement in organizations like UConn Community Outreach that allowed me to pursue my passion for community service.
After Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, I volunteered providing disaster relief for underserved populations on the island. Living there, I saw firsthand the impact that such catastrophes can have on underserved communities absent help. Many community members lacked access to healthcare, clean water, or electricity for months, contributing to thousands of deaths. Working hands-on with these communities helped me understand how real and grievous were the disparities in access to healthcare, and sparked my desire to dedicate my life to public service. This is why I want to join the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars Program. I want to continue working with such communities in the future and to advocate for accessible quality healthcare for all, no matter their circumstance.