Welcome, Dr. Laura Zavala

1. Where did you grow up? Long Beach, California

2.  Medical School – University of Minnesota Medical School

3. Residency – University of California, Irvine Family Medicine Residency Program

4. Current Practice –  UCI Family Health Center Santa Ana

5. Special Interests – community medicine, diversity equity and inclusion in medical education, Latinx health

6. Personal Interests – spending time with my family, reading fiction, listening to music, watching anime

7. Fun Fact about yourself – I spent a few years of my childhood living in Jalisco Mexico on my grandparents' ranch. I have also run a couple of marathons.

8. Why did you choose UCI? I first came to UCI as a resident because I was drawn to the unique program with strong community ties in an academic health setting. I immediately fell in love with the program and saw just how special the UCI FMH at Santa Ana was. I enjoyed seeing patients at the Santa Ana clinic that reminded me of my own family and my community. I hoped that I would be able to come back to this community once I completed my training.

9. Future plans? I plan to continue practicing as an outpatient primary care doctor and to work with learners. I hope to inspire other individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue a career in medicine. 

10. Anything else you’d like to share about yourself? I am so honored and ecstatic to be able to return to UCI to provide primary care to the community of Santa Ana and Orange County.