When Dr. Nayeli Fuentes reflects on her path to medicine, she describes it as “the American Dream of Medicine.” Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, Texas, to Mexican immigrant parents, Dr. Fuentes grew up translating for her family, attending school in a small rural town, and learning early on that education was the key to opportunity.
“My parents always told me, ‘Try your best at school—an A isn’t enough, you’ve got to get a 100,’” she recalls. “They knew education was how I’d succeed in life.”
As a first-generation college student from a low-income, Spanish-speaking household, Dr. Fuentes understood firsthand how barriers like poverty, lack of insurance, and language access shape health outcomes. When her father was hospitalized after an accident and she realized her family had no health coverage, she decided she wanted to change that story—for others and for herself.
“I started Googling ‘first-generation medical student,’” she said with a smile. “That’s how I found JAMP. I didn’t think I’d get in, but my dad told me, ‘Don’t close the door on yourself.’”
When she learned she’d been accepted into JAMP, it was a turning point: “This door
had been locked, and JAMP gave me the key. Now there was no excuse—I had to go and
do it.”
Through JAMP, Dr. Fuentes completed her Summer I internship at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) and her Summer II internship at the Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, gaining early exposure to medical training and mentorship that would shape her future.
It was at Long SOM where faculty also began to see the qualities that would define her trajectory. “Nayeli is a remarkable young woman whose kindness and compassion shine through in all she does,” said Dr. Judianne Kellaway, Associate Dean for Admissions & Outreach at the Long School of Medicine. “When life presented challenges, she met them with courage and strength. Her motivation, her care and concern for others, is evident from the moment you meet her. Nayeli is a shining example of the JAMP Spirit—turning challenges into purpose and making the world a better place.”
At Texas A&M University–Commerce, she triple-majored in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biological Sciences, a testament to her drive and curiosity. She went on to attend the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine (TTUHSC), where she thrived as a leader and advocate.
During medical school, she served as President of the Dean’s Ambassadors, contributed
to the student-run free clinic, and was inducted into the Golden Humanism Honor Society.
In 2023, she made TTUHSC history as the first student ever selected for the American
Board of Family Medicine’s Pisacano Leadership Foundation Scholars, a prestigious
national recognition for future leaders in family medicine.
“God didn’t grace my wife and me with a daughter,” said Dr. Felix Morales, Associate Dean for Admissions at TTUHSC, as he introduced Dr. Fuentes at the October JAMP Council Meeting. “But if we were to ever adopt someone, it would be Nayeli.”
For Dr. Morales, who mentored Dr. Fuentes throughout medical school, her success is deeply personal. “I was always amazed at how she handled everything,” he said, reflecting on her accomplishments. “It gives me such a sense of pride knowing that she’s now a resident.”
Now a second-year Family Medicine resident at The University of Texas at Tyler School
of Medicine, Dr. Fuentes sees her story come full circle. Nearly all her patients
speak Spanish, and many are enrolled in insurance-assistance programs. “I resonate
with their stories,” she says. “I see my family in them.”
Guided by her belief to “lift as you climb,” Nayeli continues to mentor first-generation and low-income students, helping them access resources and believe in their own potential.
“I’ll never be embarrassed of my story or where I come from,” she says. “I’ll tell it many times, and I’ll always be grateful for this program and this council. We have to keep JAMP going and growing—that’s how it should be.”
For Dr. Nayeli Fuentes, JAMP was more than a bridge to medical school—it was the key that unlocked a lifelong mission to open doors for others.
About the author: The Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) is a special program created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged Texas resident students pursuing a medical education.
JAMP alum Dr. Nayeli Fuentes shares her journey from first-gen student to physician, highlighting mentorship, resilience, and her commitment to serving Texas communities.
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