Maria Ghaly graduated in Spring 2023 from The University of Texas at Austin with a BSA in biology, a field of study in psychology, and a certificate in social inequality, health, and policy. She is especially interested in the topics of community engagement, health education, health disparities, and accessibility within research and medicine. As the C. D. Doyle Outreach Coordinator, she focuses on organizing need-based, data-driven initiatives that support holistic well-being and build rapport with Esperanza residents beyond the clinical setting. These include grant-funded annual health fairs, meal distribution events, free vaccination pop-ups, donation drives, and creation of wound care, sexual wellness, and extreme weather kits. Currently, Maria is working to establish an Esperanza Community Advisory Board that honors residents' lived experiences by supporting shared planning, evaluation, and decision-making in C. D. Doyle events, projects, and operations. Additionally, she strives to develop and strengthen partnerships with student groups, local organizations, businesses, and other free clinics to broaden C. D. Doyle's impact within the community and continuously build upon current initiatives. Her ultimate career goal is to work with underserved populations as a physician, advocating for increased access to high-quality, empathetic, patient-centered care.
