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Abigail Geisinger Scholar spotlight
Giving is the foundation of change
For Anitza Quintero, emphasis on community is key.
Inspired by her parents and using the strength and work ethic they instilled, Anitza Quintero’s mission is to care for those who are most vulnerable.
Propelled by her desire to be of service, she went to South and Central America on mission trips in college. After graduation, she worked in a small Texas border town helping migrant children as a case manager. These experiences helped solidify her decision to pursue medicine.
“Working at the border, I felt like I was doing real work for a big, important issue, which is serving underserved populations,” she said. “Being handson, learning and immersing myself in a different culture started drawing my attention to community-focused medical schools. I found that Geisinger was doing that; it was helping the community. Very early on I realized that Geisinger values giving — not only giving financial support but giving your time and passion. I think giving is the foundation of change, so that resonated with me. The more research I did, I found out there’s actually a program dedicated to helping the community. What better way to teach young, incoming medical students that this is the way you’ll work later on. You’re transforming these principles into real-time work, and that’s something that I value.”
