Medical humanities student takes health care advocacy personally
December 11, 2020
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CLASS OF 2020
DECEMBER 9, 2020 — Despite her 26 years of age, Yajaira Mendoza-Plata has already struggled harder than most. It’s because for the past several years she has had to be the primary caregiver, medical translator and health advocate for her mother, who was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma—a type of cancer that can develop in the lungs.
“I personally didn’t mind taking care of my mom. She gave up so much for me. It’s my obligation to give,” said Mendoza-Plata. “Also I’m a big believer in women’s health, and it should always be in the foreground. We shouldn’t just have a month to raise awareness.”
Mendoza-Plata experienced firsthand the dismissal of her mother’s symptoms from doctors and what she says is their lack of patient advocacy. This is what inspired her to join the Neurofibromatosis Young Adult Leadership Program, which is run by The Littlest Tumor Foundation, Texas Neurofibromatosis Foundation and Neurofibromatosis Midwest.
“I’m a big believer in women’s health, and it should always be in the foreground.”
Neurofibromatosis is the most common neurological disorder caused by a single gene, and it affects one out of every 3,000 people worldwide. It’s also thought to impact disproportionally military veterans with amputated limbs. When NF results in uncontrolled growth of tumors, in the worst of cases it turns into deadly cancer.
Once Mendoza-Plata learned more about NF and was equipped with health advocacy training, she headed to Washington, D.C. There, she along with others, knocked on doors and spoke to hundreds of politicians and lobbied for medical research funding to fight against NF. In the case the young leaders health care activism worked. More funds were granted. Now, the FDA has approved the first therapeutic, which has been shown to reduce tumors by more than 50% in children.
“At least we are giving kids a chance,” Mendoza-Plata said.
Mendoza-Plata’s mom has now celebrated year one of being cancer-free. However, this doesn’t mean that she will rest. After receiving her bachelor’s in medical humanities with a minor in biology from UTSA, Mendoza-Plata will take a year off to focus on studying for the Medical College Admission Test. This will allow her to follow her career path into holistic medicine with an interest in expanding medical access to first-generation immigrants and the Latinx community in the United States.
UTSA paved the way, Mendoza-Plata said, for her to make her dream come true. “Everyone at UTSA has had a hand in helping me succeed,” she explained. “No one gets anywhere without a strong support system. UTSA has given me the knowledge and tools to be able to continue striving for the best and for a better future.”
This UTSA graduating student even has picked out her next school: the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, an institution known for its integrated approach to serve underresourced communities.
“A patient is not a symptom but a human being,” she said. “People need to understand that health is essential for success.”
