Meet Carmen Cortez Ortega

We were lucky to catch up with Carmen Cortez Ortega recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carmen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

It’s still very intimidating when I find myself in those situations. As I get older, I’ve become more aware of who is in the room and most of the time, I’m the only one from a Mexican background. In the past, I would try to avoid those situations, but now, being in healthcare and on social media, I’ve realized how important it is for others to see me in those spaces. It has become less about discomfort and more about accomplishment being that person who represents my community and shares my knowledge and experiences.

I have learned to be successful in these spaces through exposure. I began as a really shy girl, not wanting to be there, and now I want to be part of the conversations, I want to pick their brains, and know more about what they do. When it comes to being effective,I try my best to truly connect with people. Every human being has something in common, and building that connection is crucial for earning trust and making sure others are receptive to your message.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hi, my name is Carmen! I am in my final three months of physician assistant (PA) school. After being accepted, I noticed that there weren’t many people who looked like me in PA school, let alone sharing their journeys on social media, so I decided to start a PA school page on Instagram and TikTok. At first, it was simply a place to brain-dump everything I had learned while applying to PA school. Over time, though, people became interested in my journey through PA school and life, so I decided to continue the page by sharing my honest experiences and struggles without the social media fluff and distortion.

Social media quickly became my creative outlet during some of the most stressful weeks of PA school. Through it, I’ve had the opportunity to help students both one-on-one and in groups as they work toward getting into PA school. It has also opened doors to the PA community, allowing me to connect with so many inspiring PA leaders.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue my page and share my experiences as a new graduate, including job hunting and identifying red flags in the workplace. I also plan to continue highlighting the importance of representation in healthcare and supporting students in their journeys to PA school.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are my perseverance, work ethic, and cultural background.

I grew up cleaning houses with my mom starting at the age of 10. From that experience, I learned very early on the importance of doing a good job and always striving to perfect it. At the same time, I realized the value of education and knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life cleaning houses. I wanted to do more and help others. That realization motivated me to succeed in school—because when I wasn’t in school, I was cleaning houses. In a way, school became the “fun” part of my year.

I went on to graduate with a high GPA and a degree in Biochemistry, as one of only five women in my program to earn that degree. Now, in the healthcare field, my Mexican heritage and ability to speak Spanish have allowed me to better connect with both patients and providers. I know these qualities will continue to open doors for me in the future.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my family did for me was support me throughout my studies. I spent three years in community college and then three years as an undergraduate, and during that time they never expected me to pay for rent or utilities. They knew my goal was to continue my education, and even though they couldn’t afford much, they helped me in every way they could so I could save money. Now, in PA school, they still try to support me by giving me dinner for the week or gas money. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through this process without their constant support and their reminders of why I chose this path.

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