Say Hello to Carleen Cuevas
Meet Carleen Cuevas, the Arizona Medical Association (ArMA) Member Spotlight for December. Carleen is a third-year medical student studying at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, having received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State University. In addition to her studies, Carleen serves as the Chair of ArMA's Medical Student Section.
When asked what she would tell her 18-year-old self, Carleen writes, “I’d tell myself that the timelines and definitions of the right way to go about life are not reality. It’s okay, and even beneficial sometimes, to take the path less traveled.” The dedication of ArMA's medical student members is unmatched, a fact greatly exemplified by Carleen’s journey with medicine, which you can read below! 👇
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy being with my husband and 3 children on game nights, movie nights, or even camping and traveling. I also like to lift weights, run, crochet, and read good books.
What place would you most like to visit?
I’ve always dreamed of seeing Antarctica but would not look forward to the ocean voyage there, especially through the Drake Passage. I do not have a strong stomach.
What is one message you would give to your 18-year-old self?
At 18, I was preparing to be a mom to my firstborn and was completely unsure about where my life would go. My confidence and self-esteem were very low, and I felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore. Looking back now, I would tell myself that while unexpected and nontraditional, this journey would teach me more about myself, life, and connecting with others and be just as applicable and important as anything I’d ever learn in a classroom. I’d tell myself that the timelines and definitions of the “right way” to go about life are not reality. It’s okay, and even beneficial sometimes, to take the path less traveled.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
A typical day in my life starts around 4 to 5AM so I can get a workout and some studying done before heading to the hospital or clinic I’m assigned to that day. I typically have a long commute since I don’t live close to downtown, so I enjoy listening to audiobooks or sometimes lectures to sneak in more studying while I drive. Then I’ll spend my day seeing patients, learning about their diseases and clinical care, or participating in didactics/simulations. Depending on the rotation, I will head home at some point in the afternoon or sometimes late evening. Once home, I may need an hour to finish studying or other tasks for the day before shutting everything down and spending time with my family. Not every day goes that smoothly, but I try to have at least some dedicated time for myself in the mornings and for my family in the evenings.
What prompted you to become involved in organized medicine?
I changed my major to sociology after discovering how much it explained society and human behavior. I realized there is so much more that affects a person’s health than can be addressed in an exam room or operating room. I feel strongly that knowing medical education provides a unique and important perspective that should be heard in policy discussions. However, I was also aware that one individual alone could not do everything. I see organized medicine as an opportunity to have a greater impact on patient health than I could on my own.
