Meet the 2024-25 UTHealth Houston | Leads McGovern Medical School Fellows
UTHealth Houston | Leads is a one-year student fellowship program to develop future leaders in health care.
In the program, UTHealth Houston students learn how to develop self-awareness, increase their leadership confidence, lead others, and effectively influence systems.
A total of 24 UTHealth Houston students make up this year’s cohort. They will be provided opportunities to network with leaders, develop fundamental skills, and commit to actions to continue their growth.
Meet the 2024-25 UTHealth Houston | Leads fellows at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston:
Efrain Amaro
Amaro was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, and received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M in molecular and cell biology.
What brought you to medicine?
I was drawn to medicine when I understood, throughout various experiences in my life, the privilege a physician has in providing care to patients and the various roles a physician has, which I felt matched my professional interest.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I hope to build my confidence as a leader and gain the knowledge and skills to lead effectively and successfully.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I hope to be a doctor working in the specialty that makes me most happy, and enjoying life with friends and family.
Vilma Sofia Caballero
Caballero was born and raised in Houston. She loves to try new foods and have movie nights with her friends. She has a cat named Simba.
What brought you to medicine?
I found my passion within my community. I grew up in a low-income, minority-dominant community and experienced how health disparities can affect a family. I also would love to use my background in Spanish to help advocate for Spanish-speaking patients and give them a safe space for them to feel heard.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I hope to gain the qualities of a good leader and how that may play into my life as a physician. I want to advocate for my patients, staff, and co-workers, and know how to do so.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
I hope to have been working as an attending in a pediatrics specialty and be married to my boyfriend and have the opportunity to travel the world. I also hope to be in the process of designing my home and to take my parents traveling and help them retire.
Connor Crowe
Crowe was born and raised in rural East Texas and studied at The University of Texas a Tyler before coming to Houston for medical school. Outside of class, Connor is an avid Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars fan and enjoys spending time with his wife and their pet cat.
What brought you to medicine?
I was attracted to medicine by the integration of basic science, biology, and history with a professional setting full of meaningful human connection.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I’m hoping to gain experience with presenting/speaking, professional interaction, leadership, organizing events/initiatives, and learning to communicate results.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
Hopefully I will be settled with family into a position doing work in an area of medicine that I love.
Nina Nariman
Nariman is an Austin native and attended The University of Texas at Austin for her bachelor’s degree. She then attended UT Southwestern School of Health Professions in Dallas and received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Nariman worked as a family medicine physician assistant prior to starting medical school at McGovern Medical School.
What brought you to medicine?
My passion for medicine started with a passion for the human body. The science behind the processes that keep the human body functioning is intriguing to me. Combining this passion with my strong desire to make a positive impact in my community makes a career in medicine an easy choice.
What are you hoping to gain from this program?
I’m hoping to learn more about different styles of leadership. It is my goal to discover my own leadership style in order to increase my confidence and ensure preparedness when the opportunity arises to be involved in a leadership role.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
While I wish I could predict my career path, I truly believe that my career will take me where I am meant to be. I find that my transition from being a certified physician assistant to now returning to medical school to become a physician is evidence of my belief. So, in 10 years I hope to have a career that makes me feel fulfilled, brings positivity and benefits to those around me, and challenges me to always continue learning and growing my personal and professional skill sets.