Who I am: I am a graduate from UCSF School of Pharmacy and first in my family to earn a doctorate degree, a patient advocate as a licensed pharmacist and clinical manager, a mentor, mentee and educator. I am a daughter, a sister to two siblings, and there was a time when I was wife and mother too.
Why I care: I was born in Hanford, CA but raised in Mexico. I spent the majority of my life moving between Mexico and the US. My parents always said “we will not have an inheritance to leave you behind, the only thing we can leave you with is your education…” My mother and father only completed the 3rd and 8th grade (as an adult) respectively. But they understood the importance of higher education. The drive, dedication, perseverance and strong work ethic they instilled in me helped me achieve my professional goal but the mentors I had along the way helped me overcome the many obstacles I faced. Who have I helped: In my roles as mentee, mentor, preceptor, educator and health professional I enjoy hearing others’ stories. We all bring a different view on life and we all have challenges we have had to overcome. I have mentored many students over the years ranging from junior high to professional school. Mentorship can look different depending on the needs, from helping navigate the undergraduate curriculum to conducting a mock interview. Several students I have touched have enrolled in professional programs including UCSF School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Medicine. I feel joy in knowing that more students are pursuing and achieving their dream when they might not have considered the possibility of it. Why I am involved: I am involved because I understand the power that words of encouragement can have, but especially remember how powerful it was to hear personal stories of struggle and triumph against all odds. Those stories are the ones I thought of when I felt I wanted to give up. I believe we can all achieve anything we want in life with hard work, dedication and support from appropriate resources. |
Who I am: I am a recent graduate with a doctoral degree from UCSF School of Pharmacy, an advocate for underserved communities, passionate about health disparities research, a believer in students’ dreams, a daughter, and sister to five bright brothers.
Why I care: I was raised in Zacatecas, Mexico during my elementary years. My mother then decided to bring us back to the US in order to give my brothers and me a better life. Although she only had a 4th grade education (now working on her high school diploma), she and my grandmother instilled in us a strong work ethic, dedication, and most of all to never give up no matter how hard something gets. Over the years, I have continued to come across students and families like my own and nothing invigorates me more than seeing someone just like me also trying to achieve their dreams. Who have I helped: As a young student, I counseled and advised my brothers and cousins so that they could also be competitive applicants for the university of their choice. Then during college as a Chemistry Workshop Facilitator for UCSD OASIS, I advised my students, anywhere from 15-30 students per quarter for 4 years, so that they could set themselves up for success. During pharmacy school, I advised lower classmen and future applicants, all of whom I still keep in touch with and help them in various aspects of their lives. I am paying it forward as I could not be where I am today without the support and belief of my family, friends, classmates, and mentors. Why I am involved: I am involved because you matter to me and I believe in the power of your dreams. I believe in setting high expectations for students, but also providing support. This is why I believe we all need DeepTok in order to overcome any challenges we may face as we get closer to realizing our dreams… believe me… I am still dreaming and achieving. #SiSePuede |
Who I am: I am currently a physician resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Dermatology. I graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine and prior to my career in medicine practiced as faculty at University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy for close to 10 years. I earned my doctorate in pharmacy from Florida A & M University, completed a Pharmacy Practice and Primary Care Residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and earned an MBA from Fresno State while on faculty at UCSF.
Why I care: I come from a family of immigrants where my father was the first in his village to attend college through the funding of a US Peace Corps member. My father focused on stressing the importance of education, a supportive friend network, mentorship, and proactively seeking out opportunities in life. I am only where I am now, due to others who have supported me along the way. I believe everyone should have some kind of support and find personal joy in each person I advise and help along the way. Who I have helped: Over the years, I have coached, advised, mentored, and taught students ranging from middle and high school, as well as community college, undergraduates, and graduate/professional school students. I am so proud of each of my students as they have all reached their goals in attending medical, pharmacy, nursing, and graduate school programs. In addition, I enjoy advising people on safe medication use and have appeared on the Dr. Oz Show several times as a pharmacy expert on safe medication use. Why I am involved: I’ve always loved to coach and cheer on hard workers. I believe in the power of the individual to achieve his or her goals with the right kind of positive support, advice, and resources. |
Who I am: I am a coach, educator, and new program developer. Presently, I hold four roles: Senior Advisor, Office of Diversity in Medical Education, Stanford Medicine; Member, Board of Governors, Stanford Medicine; Chief Learning Officer, DeepTok; and Diplomat, University of California Merced Foundation. Also, I participate on the Board of the California Medicine Coalition whose Mission is to diversity and increase the supply of California's primary care physician workforce and chair the Advisory Board, MESA/STEM Center, Napa Valley College. I hold a B.S. and doctorate in education from Stanford University and a MS from University of California San Francisco. I am the wife of the most fascinating man I have ever met--a first generation physician. And, I am the mother to two incredible children. https://www.linkedin.com/in/janebingeredd
Why I Care: My father had to leave home in the Central Valley of California at 11 because his family was too poor to feed four children. And, my mother graduated from University of California, Berkeley, in economics only to learn her dream of being a banker would end in being a teller. Both went to local community colleges, then became an anesthesiologist and a dentist. My first job was sorting the mail in my mother's medical group when I was 8 years old. Then, my father had a stroke that left him totally and permanently disabled. Our family’s income stopped. And, I became a student-care giver-worker instead of a student. Without the nurse and librarian at my school, my mentor, and my family, I wouldn’t have gone to Stanford and UCSF and had the confidence to develop the roles I have held with premier organizations. These people helped me figure out the twists and turns in my path and let me borrow their confidence until I had my own. The only way I can thank them for supporting my dreams is to pass this on to others. Who I have Helped: I have coached more than 750 college and university students and professionals. In addition to educating and coaching, I love developing and leading new programs. Sharing my experiences on national committees and conferences has allowed me to help advance scholarship and practices in pathway education. Since 2004, I have worked pro bono with students who are the first in their families to go to college and want to obtain a graduate degree. Previously, my teams and I provided leadership development and career advancement education for thousands of physicians and allied health professionals, executives and board members, and undergraduate and PhD/doctoral health science students. Why I am involved with DeepTok: I want people like my parents in my life and community. I don’t know if I can ever make a grand gesture to do this. But, I know I can make small gestures one person, one group, one day at a time. I believe in the mission of DeepTok and its co-founders. |
Vanessa Nava-UC BerkeleyI care about DeepTok because...
As a first generation Latina who recently graduated from University of California, Berkeley (UCB), I know first hand the difficulty in navigating the educational system. Through DeepTok, I can help in leveling the playing field for community college, first-generation, and low-income students. Passionate about education and health care for all, joining DeepTok was a natural fit for me. Career Aspirations: I graduated with a B.S in Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology from UC Berkeley in May, 2019. I am very grateful to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation for funding most of my education. Presently, I am a Research Assistant in the Linos Lab in the Department of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Our Lab focuses on cancer prevention, especially for older adults, and telehealth. Also, I volunteer at Jewish Community Free Clinic and as a tutor for 10,000 Degrees. My ultimate goal is to open a bilingual free clinic which incorporates mental health, western medicine, and eastern medicine. On my free time, I enjoy reading biographies and history. |
Sony Biradar-UC DavisI care about DeepTok because...
As a transfer student at UC Davis, I saw that many of my friends and I were just waiting to serendipitously stumble across opportunities and resources that would help us navigate our academic and professional goals. Frustrated by this reality, I developed a passion for working with and building networks of community college students to foster mentorship. DeepTok represents a continuation of my interest in expanding the resources and opportunities that transfer students can access. Career aspirations- I am currently in the process of applying to medical schools across the country. My goal is to be a primary care physician who works with underserved communities. I am also interested in public health and hope to contribute to health education and promotion programs that improve health outcomes for these populations. |
Estefania Contreras-UC BerkeleyI care about DeepTok’s work because as a low-income, first-generation student I wish a resource like DeepTok was available to all students. DeepTok allows me to pay it forward, spread, and encourage other students to pursue graduate school.
Career aspirations: After graduating, I hope to pursue a MD/MBA joint degree. I look to bridge the gap between hospital administration and physicians. |