STUDENT PROFILES
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Student Profile
Christopher Martin
Christopher Martin is a fourth-year medical student in the Charles R . Drew / UCLA Medical Education program .
Martin grew up in the Dallas / Fort Worth area of Texas . He moved around the metroplex quite a bit as a child , navigating environments that ranged from rural , to suburban , to urban . “ Between that upbringing and being raised by social workers , I recognized that health disparities existed from a young age ,” said Martin . “ I always knew I wanted to play a role in addressing health disparities .”
Martin was almost finished with college when he met some physicians who engaged with health disparities work on both an interpersonal , via patient care , and systemic level . “ My goal is to do the same . I appreciate the concrete , therapeutic relationship that comes with patient care ,” shared Martin . “ I plan to bring that experience into administrative spaces later in my career .”
He is interested in health equity , psychiatry , and storytelling in all its forms – poetry , music , film and many more . “ I still want to explore the intersection of these spaces further ,” admitted Martin . “ Most of my research has focused on the experiences of minorities in clinical / academic spaces and psychiatry .”
Martin spent years daydreaming about practicing psychiatry , and is looking
forward to diving into residency and gaining as much experience as possible – especially after the life-changing experience he describes at CDU .
“ I entered medical school expecting it to be an isolating experience . I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and supportive the community is . I gained a new family ,” revealed Martin . “ CDU ' s mission aligned perfectly with my own personal mission . Health equity and social justice are at the forefront , rather than afterthoughts . This stood in stark contrast to other programs I was considering .”
30 DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES