Meet Dr. Molina

What is your educational background?

Seton Hall University - BS

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - MD

Yale New Haven Hospital - Emergency Medicine Residency

Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing and what life was like for you growing up? What would you say are some of the challenges that you faced as a pre-med and how did you overcome them?

I came to the United States when I was three years old with my parents and my two brothers. It wasn’t easy for my parents, but we managed. I remember almost never seeing both of my parents together during my upbringing, but we made it work, and now as a family, we can say that we have reached a lot of our goals, and my brothers are also successful in their fields.

What inspired you to become a physician and what was your medical journey like?  Would you say there was a particular event that served as a motivation for you to pursue medicene? 

I’m not sure there was one specific event that fully inspired me to become a physician. I think it was more of an upbringing rooted in wanting to succeed and stand out, especially since I immigrated from Colombia at the age of three with my parents and two brothers. I remember how my parents worked multiple jobs, often three shifts a day, just to provide for us.

I also remember volunteering at Hackensack University Medical Center a long time ago and seeing these young doctors, residents, doing such important work. I was in awe of how respected, successful, and dedicated they were. I remember thinking that I wanted to be like them: young, important, and someone who gets to be called ‘Doctor.’

Reflecting on your medical school journey, is there one thing you wish you had known before starting, or something you wish you had done differently?

Getting into medical school is obviously a great accomplishment that requires years of dedication and sacrifice. I’m not sure there’s one specific thing I wish I had known beforehand, but I do think learning how to balance your home life with your academic life is a key take-home point for succeeding in medical school.

You have to make a really try to stay psychologically and physically healthy, and to use your time as wisely as possible. One last piece of advice: try to enjoy the experience. It’s a challenging four years, but every now and then, take a step back and remember why you started this journey.

Do you think diversity is important in healthcare? How has diversity impacted your healthcare experience?

Diversity is a must in the medical field. Fortunately, I work in a hospital that serves a large Hispanic and Latino patient population. I feel that I’m able to communicate effectively, relate to my patients, and provide the best medical care possible.

What advice would you give to undergraduate students who are considering a career in medicine?

My main advice is to be happy and be yourself throughout the entire process. If you’re trying to go into medicine because someone else wants you to, or because you think you’re going to be wealthy or gain social status, that’s not the right reason for going into medicine. Just be happy and enjoy the process, knowing that every other healthcare provider or physician has gone through the same process and loves what they do.

What would you say has been the most rewarding part of your medical journey? 

I think just being able to help families and patients of all ages, especially those of Hispanic and Latino origin, has been very rewarding.

What are your hobbies? 

Tennis, Travel, Spending time with family

What is a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about myself might be that I’ve only had maybe three jobs my entire life, one being a newspaper carrier as an adult, a tennis instructor, and a physician.

Any tips, study strategies or advice?

Stay true to yourself, be happy, enjoy the process as best you can, and take care of your mental and physical health to be the best YOU that you can be.