Embarking on residency, physiology graduate hopes to inspire others
Inspired by his family’s roots in health care, the physiology graduate found mentorship, preparation and purpose on his path through medical school.
For Kobe Saldana, the path to medicine started in hospital parking lots, waiting for his parents to finish nursing shifts. It was a routine that quietly shaped his future.
“Being around hospitals and clinics as a kid was a big part of why I wanted to pursue health care,” he said. “I've always known that I wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember.”
Saldana immigrated with his family from the Philippines to Phoenix when he was about 4 years old. His parents were among many Filipino nurses who came to the United States during a health care workforce shortage in the early 2000s.
“You don't really see a lot of Filipino American doctors. I want to translate that Filipino heart that got us over here to the United States into my own practice.”
Finding support and preparation in physiology
Saldana carried that motivation with him to the University of Arizona, where he enrolled as a physiology major. The program helped confirm his interest in medicine and introduced him to mentors who would shape his academic path.
“Right from day one, I felt the immense support from the faculty,” he said. “They really made sure the major accommodated all of our interests, whether you were pre-med, pre-dental, pre-physical therapy or pre-nursing.”
Coursework in physiology followed a systems-based approach that felt familiar once he entered medical school.
“It was shocking to me how closely it resembled medical school,” Saldana said. “We went through the same systems in the same order.”
Finding mentorship and community in the department
Mentorship also shaped his undergraduate experience. He credits physiology professor Dr. Zoe Cohen with helping guide his path.
“She has opened so many doors for students,” he said. “She’s one of my biggest mentors. I really owe it to her for everything she’s done for me.”
Saldana said the sense of community among physiology majors also helped him navigate the challenges of being a pre-med student.
“Physio majors are some of the most well-rounded students at the U of A,” he said. “We really supported each other through a stressful time.”
A year of opportunity leads to the emergency department
Saldana graduated in 2021 as COVID-19 disrupted the final months as an undergraduate.
“It was tough preparing to submit my medical school application and preparing for this very difficult, career-defining exam while transitioning to remote learning,” he said.
After his first medical school application cycle, Saldana took a gap year, what he calls a “year of opportunity.” He worked as a medical scribe in the emergency department at St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s hospitals in Tucson.
“It was my first time ever working with physicians very closely,” he said. “I was in the room with them. I saw their physical exams, how they talked with patients and how they made decisions. It fully solidified my decision to be a physician.”
When Saldana entered medical school at the College of Medicine – Tucson in 2022, he kept an open mind about specialties. Clinical rotations took him through pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery and internal medicine.
But returning to the emergency department during his clinical training confirmed what he had first experienced during his gap year.
“I realized that I left my heart in the ED,” he said. “It's such a team-based specialty. You work closely with nurses, techs, paramedics, firefighters and police officers.”
Looking ahead to residency
On Match Day, surrounded by the family who ignited his passion for medicine, Saldana learned his top choice for residency was a match — he will train in emergency medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson.
As he prepares for residency, Saldana reflects on his eight years at Arizona.
“Overall, the clinical exposure here is unmatched,” he said. “I have a lot of pride in being part of the Wildcat MedCat family. I’ve had such great faculty and resident support during my rotations, and I’m so glad to continue serving the community that gave me a chance,” he said.
“I hope my presence in this field can inspire the younger generation,” he said. “Even if you don’t see someone like you in the field, I hope it shows that those doors can open.”