Vanessa Armendariz, MD

University of Kansas School of Medicine; Vanessa was born and raised in Stockton, California and majored in public health studies at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the first in her family to attend college and is interested in serving as a mentor to underserved youth.  In being a product of pipeline programs for disadvantaged students, Vanessa is aware of the impact that these programs have and is eager to continue to serve as a role model for other students. Her interest in health disparities, social justice, mentorship, and preventive medicine led to her employment at the San Joaquin Medical Society as Community Relations Manager. 

To continue her pursuit to medicine, she attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine. There, she further explored her passion for family medicine and learned of other areas of interest within the field: surgical obstetrics, addiction, and adolescent medicine. With a passion for public health, she is an advocate for the patient-centered medical home care model that takes into consideration the social determinants of health. Vanessa is excited to be joining the Santa Rosa community as it will provide her with opportunities to further explore and nurture her interests.  When she is not studying or working, Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband, family, niece and nephews, and cat (named Ed Sheeran), playing Nintendo switch, and traveling.