From Barriers to Bridges: How a Latina Doctor is Transforming Opportunities for Spanish-Speaking Physicians

Dr. Julieta Argüelles’s journey into medicine wasn’t easy — but it wasn’t just her medical training that challenged her. As a Mexican-born physician and international medical graduate (IMG), Dr. Argüelles faced challenges that most U.S. medical students could never imagine. Barriers to licensing exams, a lack of support, and a system that wasn’t built for her stood between her and her dream of practicing medicine in the U.S. But where many would have given up, she found a way through. Now, she’s using her voice and platform to open doors for others.

From struggling to even access the licensing process to becoming a researcher at one of the world’s leading cancer centers, Dr. Argüelles’s path has been anything but conventional. Yet, it wasn’t just her own career she was concerned with. Along the way, she discovered a deeper, more urgent issue — a gap in the healthcare system that is costing lives: the language and cultural disconnect between doctors and their Latino patients.

As Dr. Argüelles worked with Spanish-speaking patients, she saw firsthand how misdiagnoses and poor communication due to language barriers were leading to worse outcomes. But what if the solution wasn’t just improving how doctors communicate with patients — what if the doctors themselves could be part of the solution?

That realization sparked LATIMGS (Latin International Medical Graduates and Students), a groundbreaking initiative that helps Latin American medical students gain exposure to the U.S. healthcare system through structured clinical rotations, research, mentorship, and leadership development.

LATIMGS isn’t just another academic program — it’s a holistic, community-driven movement to empower Latin American doctors and bridge the gaps in care that so many Latino patients experience.

Dr. Argüelles’s vision for LATIMGS goes beyond helping Latin American students prepare for residency. She’s focused on creating a new pipeline — one that not only supports their academic journey but also prioritizes mental health, community, and identity. Through LATIMGS Academy, students in their final year of medical school can complete their Latin American undergraduate internship (internado) while participating in U.S.-based clinical experiences, engaging in research, and preparing for U.S. residency requirements.

The LATIMGS Community, now working toward nonprofit status, provides mentorship, mental health support, and leadership development — offering the emotional and professional support that international medical graduates too often lack.

Through LATIMGS, Dr. Argüelles is tackling a systemic issue head-on: While nearly 20% of the U.S. population is Latino, only 6% of U.S. doctors identify as Latino, and even fewer speak Spanish or have cultural competency training. This lack of representation directly affects care outcomes and patient trust.

In 2025, Dr. Argüelles was awarded the IMG of the Year by the National Hispanic Medical Association and selected as a 2025–2026 Executive Leadership Fellow by the National Hispanic Health Foundation — two national honors that recognize her vision and her impact.

Her goal isn’t just to increase the number of Latino doctors — it’s to prepare them to lead, advocate, and build a healthcare system that reflects the people it serves.

Her motto — Per aspera, ad astra (“Through hardship, to the stars”) — captures the spirit she brings to her work and the message she gives to every student she mentors: Your struggle is not your weakness. It’s your foundation for leadership.

Follow @jarguelles.md on Instagram to learn more about the LATIMGS mission and how to support the next generation of Latinx physicians.