Francine Soliz, of Coarsegold, has faced her own challenges in finding a health care provider, and felt that her concerns were sometimes overlooked – experiences that fueled her passion to pursue a career in health care.
“I don’t want to be seen as another number on a chart. I want to be cared about as a patient, and it wasn’t until my mom started having her health issues that I decided I wanted to be a provider,” said Soliz.
Francine Soliz
Soliz is a psychology student on a pre-medical track that will prepare her to enter medical school after graduation. With the help of the Health Careers Opportunity Program at Fresno State, she hopes to become a physician who can make a difference.
The Health Careers Opportunity Program supports students who aspire to give back to their communities as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, optometrists and other health care professionals.
The program connects students with advisers, conferences, student organizations, research opportunities and professional development workshops. It is housed within the Center for Access to Science for All in Fresno State’s College of Science and Mathematics.
“The program has shown me what it is to have a community and enabled me to get the research experience that I need,” Soliz said. “I was also able to join the Latinx Center of Excellence Aspiring Physicians program last summer and that really inspired my passion for public health.”
Soliz gained insight into women’s care by participating in the EMBRACE Prenatal Care Study at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute. The study looks for solutions to preterm birth and health disparities.
Soliz interviewed women at different clinics throughout their pregnancies and postpartum to analyze their mental health, social support and satisfaction with care.
“This was the first experience where I felt so deeply connected to my community members, and I saw the inequalities between the type of provider you get based on the type of insurance that you have. And it really got me thinking, ‘maybe I can be a solution to these problems.’”
Soliz is currently working on research through the Bulldogs Involved in Tobacco Endgame Research program. She and her team are actively collaborating with the Latino Coordinating Center and the Fresno County Tobacco Free Coalition to study the relationship between food insecurity and the increased use of flavored tobacco products.
The team created a survey and conducted outreach to elementary and high school students to gather data. Their outreach will extend to students from Fresno State and neighboring community colleges.
Soliz and her team will present their findings at the 46th annual Central California Research Symposium in April.
Alejandra Prado, an academic coordinator for Health Professions Pathways, has worked closely with Soliz since 2023 and describes her as an energetic student who brings a positive and welcoming attitude to the Health Careers Opportunity Program.
“I think her work ethic and the opportunities that she seeks out say a lot about what she wants to do with going into a health profession,” Prado said. “Her ability to engage those around her is just amazing and it’s going to take her far when she interacts with her future patients.”
With help from funds donated on Day of Giving, Fresno State’s annual online giving campaign scheduled this year for Wednesday, March 26, the program will continue to provide resources and guidance for students like Soliz who are engaged in addressing the growing health needs of communities.
After becoming a physician, Soliz hopes to become a psychiatrist. Her goal is to ensureothers feel heard and supported in their health care journeys.
“Not only has the Health Careers Opportunity Program connected me to amazing opportunities, but they’ve also provided emotional support,” Soliz said. “I don’t think I would be who I am today without them.”
Fresno State’s annual 24-hour, online Day of Giving will be Wednesday, March 26. The College of Science and Mathematics relies on private financial support, such as funds raised from the Day of Giving, to support experiential learning activities for students. Visit fresnostate.dayofgiving.edu to learn how to support the College of Science and Mathematics today.
