Michelle Gallardo, MD, MPP
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PRIME-LA at the David Geffen School of Medicine (UCLA).
Michelle was raised in Littlerock, CA, a rural, predominantly Latino community on the outskirts of Los Angeles County. Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants in a low-income community, she witnessed firsthand the challenges of navigating healthcare with limited access and resources. These early experiences deeply shaped her aspiration to become a family physician dedicated to making continuity of care accessible within underserved communities. |
As an undergrad at UCLA, Michelle volunteered and was a leader in groups such as Latinxs/Chicanxs for Community Medicine (LCCM), MECha Xinachtli, and Sigma Lambda Gamma. During college, Michelle’s path toward family medicine was shaped profoundly by the Summer Urban Health Fellowship, where she learned the language to describe her experiences growing up in a low-income community and illuminating how family medicine physicians lead meaningful community change. Following graduation, she worked as an after-school program supervisor, providing mentorship and education to under-resourced youth in San Diego for two years. As a first-generation college graduate, Michelle faced uncertainty about the steps toward medical school leading her to seek additional support through a post-baccalaureate program at UCSF, after which she successfully matriculated into medical school.
Michelle pursued her medical education through UCLA PRIME-LA at the David Geffen School of Medicine, a dual-degree program specifically designed for future physician-leaders committed to serving underserved communities. For her second-degree, Michelle pursued a Master of Public Policy to better understand and influence health policies affecting underserved populations. Other activities she was involved with were Mentorship Co-Chair for the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at UCLA, where she guided pre-med students for the club she was once a part of in undergrad (LCCM). Additionally, Michelle published research on school-based health centers, emphasizing the critical role of accessible healthcare and preventive services. Moreover, Michelle contributed significantly to designing and implementing the LA VIDA clinic—the first lifestyle medicine-oriented weight loss program tailored for the Latinx community in LA County’s safety-net hospitals.
Michelle is so excited to start her next step at Sutter Health Santa Rosa and remains deeply passionate about empowering patients through compassionate care, community involvement, and policy change. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exploring diverse cuisines—currently Korean dishes—staying active through weightlifting, and unwinding with her favorite anime shows.
Michelle pursued her medical education through UCLA PRIME-LA at the David Geffen School of Medicine, a dual-degree program specifically designed for future physician-leaders committed to serving underserved communities. For her second-degree, Michelle pursued a Master of Public Policy to better understand and influence health policies affecting underserved populations. Other activities she was involved with were Mentorship Co-Chair for the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) at UCLA, where she guided pre-med students for the club she was once a part of in undergrad (LCCM). Additionally, Michelle published research on school-based health centers, emphasizing the critical role of accessible healthcare and preventive services. Moreover, Michelle contributed significantly to designing and implementing the LA VIDA clinic—the first lifestyle medicine-oriented weight loss program tailored for the Latinx community in LA County’s safety-net hospitals.
Michelle is so excited to start her next step at Sutter Health Santa Rosa and remains deeply passionate about empowering patients through compassionate care, community involvement, and policy change. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exploring diverse cuisines—currently Korean dishes—staying active through weightlifting, and unwinding with her favorite anime shows.