As part of our Back to School 2025 coverage, we asked our graduate students to share their experiences of studying Family Medicine as they begin their new academic year.
Name: Natalia Romero
Degree: PhD Family Medicine & Primary Care (Thesis)
Supervisor: Alayne Adams
Hometown: Columbia but I live in Montreal now
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Tell us a bit about yourself:
I was born in Colombia and moved to Canada in 2013. Growing up, I would spend my holidays at my family鈥檚 farm in Colombia where I helped with daily tasks and learned firsthand about food production and community life. I believe those formative experiences played a key role in shaping my passion for human nutrition and sparked my long-standing commitment to community-based work.
I went on to complete my undergraduate degree in Food, Nutrition, and Health at the University of British Columbia, followed by a Master鈥檚 degree in Global Health. Over the years, I鈥檝e had the incredible opportunity to contribute to public health projects in both Africa and South America. These experiences have reinforced my desire to pursue a PhD and continue working to improve health and nutrition on a global scale.
Since 2019, I鈥檝e been working at the Quebec Ministry of Health, where I鈥檝e been able to apply my knowledge and grow professionally. Outside of work, I鈥檓 a proud mom of two amazing kids, aged 6 and 3, and I stay active as a varsity athlete at 黑料社, competing with the Artistic Swimming team.
What inspired you to pursue graduate studies in Family Medicine?
My inspiration to pursue graduate studies in Family Medicine stems from a transformative experience during my nutrition internship in Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Africa, located in Nairobi, Kenya. I was fortunate to be hosted by a generous local family for three months, and through the NGO that welcomed me, I was immersed in various aspects of community health work.
I participated in adolescent reproductive health programs, supported initiatives that helped girls continue their education and start small businesses, and worked closely with clinic staff, including pharmacists, nutritionists, nurses, and doctors. I also joined community health workers in delivering vitamin A supplements and deworming treatments, and in identifying cases of chronic undernutrition among children.
This experience was vivid and life-changing. Coming from Colombia, I had already seen poverty and hardship, but Kibera was a different reality, many people living with HIV, many children are orphans from a young age, and hunger is a daily struggle. Yet, despite the challenges, I was struck by the strength of the community and their willingness to help one another.
This experience planted in me a lasting commitment to return to the field and to contribute meaningfully to the understanding of the complex challenges communities like Kibera face, from health and nutrition to education and inequality. I want to explore how we can improve these conditions, even if just a little. I have always believed that if every person who has the capacity to help someone else chose to do so, the world would be a much better place.
In addition to my fieldwork experiences, I genuinely love learning. School has always been a source of joy for me. Research, in particular, makes the pursuit of knowledge even more exciting, there is always something new to discover and understand about the world. Family Medicine, with its holistic, community-based approach, aligns perfectly with my values and aspirations as both a learner and a practitioner.
What areas of primary care or research are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about primary care and research that focus on health equity, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities. My experience in Kibera, Kenya鈥攚orking on adolescent reproductive health, childhood nutrition, and community-based care, deepened my interest in how primary care systems can be designed to meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
I'm especially drawn to the integration of nutrition and preventive care into primary health services, as well as the role of community health workers in improving access and outcomes. I also have a strong interest in maternal and child health, and in the social determinants of health, how factors like poverty, education, food security, and gender influence well-being.
From a research perspective, I am motivated to explore how community-based interventions can be sustainably implemented, evaluated, and scaled. I鈥檓 also interested in how local knowledge and community leadership can be leveraged to make care more culturally relevant and impactful.
Ultimately, I want to contribute to research and practice that reduce health disparities and improve quality of life, especially for those who face systemic barriers to care.
Do you have any goals for your time here that you hope to achieve?
First and foremost, I hope to build a meaningful and formative career, one that I truly enjoy. I鈥檝e learned from experience that when I am passionate about what I do, I鈥檓 able to deliver the best of myself.
I want this next chapter to help me grow into a well-rounded professional, fully aligned with the career goals I鈥檝e outlined, working at the intersection of community health, global health, and health equity. I hope to deepen my knowledge, strengthen my research skills, and gain the clinical and practical experience necessary to make a real impact in the field.
Last but not least, I look forward to building strong, collaborative relationships with fellow students, faculty, and supervisors. I believe that learning in a supportive, engaged environment is key to personal and professional growth, and I鈥檓 excited to be part of that kind of community.
What are you most excited (or nervous) about as you begin this new chapter in your graduate studies?
Starting this new chapter in my graduate studies, I鈥檓 really excited to dive deeper into a field I鈥檓 passionate about and to learn from inspiring mentors and fellow students. I鈥檓 eager to get involved in research and clinical experiences that can make a real difference for communities like those I鈥檝e worked with before.
At the same time, I鈥檓 a bit nervous about balancing school with being a mom of two young kids. But I鈥檝e faced challenges before and know that with good organization and support, I can manage it. Overall, I鈥檓 really looking forward to this journey and all the personal and professional growth it will bring.
What would you like to do after you graduate/ what are your career goals?
Ultimately, my goal is to work with organizations that deliver impactful programs or conduct meaningful research focused on marginalized communities, whether in developing countries or underserved populations here in Canada, where health disparities are also significant.
I鈥檓 also excited by the possibility of becoming a teacher or mentor, sharing knowledge and inspiring the next generation of health professionals. Whatever path I take, I hope it allows me to contribute to improving health equity and making a positive difference in people鈥檚 lives.
What are your first impressions of Montreal?听
Although I鈥檝e lived in Montreal since 2003, except for a few years when I moved to Vancouver, I still find this city vibrant and fascinating. I love that Montreal is bilingual, which adds a unique cultural richness. The four seasons here are amazing, even if winters can feel a bit long, but I really enjoy the snow sports that come with it. There鈥檚 always something happening, and I appreciate how lively and fun the people are. It truly is a city full of energy and opportunities.
Do you have any Back to School hacks?
One of my top back-to-school hacks is to stay focused and prioritize self-care. I stay active by working out regularly, which is why I joined the varsity Artistic Swimming team last year while completing a graduate certificate, it really helps me maintain my energy and mental clarity. I also aim to plan my work carefully to make steady progress and ensure I balance my responsibilities at school, at home, and for my own wellbeing. Finding that balance is key to staying motivated and performing my best.
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Best of luck Natalia!
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