Karen Martinez

UConn School of Medicine

I was born in Hartford and grew up in Newington, CT. I graduated in 2020 from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering.

In the years leading up to medical school, I have had the chance to work closely with both patients and providers through roles as a scribe and pediatric medical assistant. I also volunteered in an emergency department as a nurse aide and participated in the UConn Health Leaders (UCHL) program. As a volunteer with UCHL, I had the opportunity to screen patients for social determinants of health and assess their health literacy, while also connecting them with appropriate resources or simply offering an empathetic, listening presence.

As an aspiring physician, I sought involvement with the Urban Service Track program to further develop my understanding of the complex relationship between patients’ own life circumstances and their health outcomes. My goal is to not only expand my clinical knowledge, but to better understand how social, cultural, and systemic factors shape patients’ health journeys. My own background has given me insight into the ways unmet social needs can impact health; I hope to develop the tools to address those challenges, not only with competence, but also with a strong sense of compassion and humility. Participating in the UST/AS Program will guide me even further on my path of addressing health disparities to provide more equitable care to all patients, especially those who are underserved.