Welcome to Medicine with Omar
Get to Know Me
Welcome to Medicine with Omar! My name is Omar Popal and I am a first year Medical Student at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU COM). As a first-generation Afghan American, I know what it can feel like to have countless barriers to getting a college education and even more when it comes to graduate education. I was lucky enough to receive my undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) where I majored in Biology with an emphasis in Neuroscience and Physiology, and Public Health! I also double minored in Global Health and Psychology. It sounds like a lot but as I went through my undergraduate career I constantly discovered new interests. I have also been involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities from volunteering at a clinic in Tijuana to working as a medical assistant at an ophthalmology clinic and running a pre-medical organization on campus. All of these activities contributed to my desire to pursue a career in medicine and have led me to where I am today.
While applying to medical school in such a tumultuous time with the Coronavirus pandemic and the growing awareness and sense of urgency surrounding equality within the US, there has been a lot of time for reflection. I understand many of the circumstances that have allowed me a number of opportunities, and now as a medical student, I hope to begin the cycle of giving back to others. Being first generation left me with little guidance when it came to pursuing a career in the medical field. My goal in creating this website is to provide guidance, feedback, and support to other first-generation and disadvantaged individuals.
In 2020, there was a high demand for assistance. I hope that through this endeavor I will be able to connect many of you with resources similar to what I had (if not better) and provide ample mentorship through a trusted network of individuals ranging from current undergraduate students to other medical students, PA students, etc.. I hope that my journey will serve as a lesson in which you will be able to avoid the mistakes I made and excel in your own ventures!
