2025 Medical Student Empowerment Scholarship recipients alongside faculty, mentors, supporters and Amy and Clement Marcus, the generous family behind their scholarships.
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News — EL PASO, Texas – Incoming Foster School of Medicine student Ramon Parada's personal journey into medicine was inspired by the health care disparities he witnessed growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly through his father's battle with chronic illness.
Watching his father make changes in his life because of accessibility made Parada want to become a doctor.
“You realize how much something like a ramp into the house can change the quality of life,” said Parada, who is also the owner of Glia’s Coffee Co. “For many, health care is not shaped by what is medically possible, but by what you can afford and where you live—a reality I am committed to changing.”
Now, Parada is one of the six newest recipients of the Medical Student Empowerment Scholarship.
His story stands as a testament to perseverance and passion. Born in Ciudad Juárez and raised in Juárez and El Paso, Parada’s upbringing instilled a deep love for the border region and, as he pursues his dream of becoming a doctor, a unique skillset for his future patients.
Texas Tech Health El Paso and the Foster School of Medicine introduced the students Tuesday, March 18, at the Medical Student Empowerment Luncheon at Texas Tech Health El Paso, alongside faculty, mentors and supporters. At the event, students had the opportunity to meet Amy and Clement Marcus, the generous family behind their scholarships, a moment that left a lasting and inspiring impression. This highly competitive and renewable scholarship supports first-year students with financial need, with preference given to those who are residents of El Paso County or graduates of El Paso high schools.
Another scholarship recipient, Trinity Letuli, is a graduate of Franklin High School and the University of Texas at Austin.
Growing up in El Paso without health insurance, she appreciates the support she received from local physicians who made her feel like her health wasn’t a burden. Now, she’s eager to give back to the community that shaped her.
“It feels really good to receive this scholarship,” Letuli said. “The biggest part is getting into school, but having people believe in you without knowing you—that’s incredibly empowering.”
Letuli is excited about the challenges ahead and is committed to practicing medicine in El Paso, a city she describes as vibrant and full of genuine support.
A graduate of the Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and the University of Texas at El Paso, Parada’s determination to study at the Foster School of Medicine was unwavering—so much, he applied four times before being accepted.
He applied exclusively to the Foster School of Medicine, driven by a deep commitment to serve the border region as a physician, believing that no other path would be as personally meaningful or impactful as caring for the communities he proudly calls home.
While Parada waited for that acceptance, he founded Glia’s Coffee Co.—a local business that began as a mobile coffee trailer and has since expanded to three locations, including one inside the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse. What began as a means to support himself financially became a vehicle for community impact. Today, the business employs over 18 people and regularly gives back through fundraisers, scholarships and support for local health and education initiatives.
Parada and Letuli’s achievements mark the beginning of promising careers dedicated to serving the El Paso community. The 2025 Medical Student Empowerment Scholarship recipients are:
- Jesus Guerrero – Del Valle High School, Sul Ross State University
- Trinity Letuli – Franklin High School, University of Texas at Austin
- Wonderful Oyebami – Mission Early College High School, University of Texas at El Paso
- Ramon Parada – University of Texas at El Paso, Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
- Teresa Salloum – El Paso High School, University of Texas at Austin
- Keziah Wilson – Immanuel Christian School, Cornell University
The Medical Student Empowerment Fund was established in 2022 through the generosity of an El Paso family. This initiative ensures that promising medical students can pursue their education without financial strain. The program has supported 22 recipients across four classes of medical school. “Everything I’ve built has been rooted in my desire to serve this community—as a student, as a business owner and soon as a physician,” said Parada. “This scholarship is more than financial help; it’s a reminder that my community believes in me, and I intend to give everything back.”
About Texas Tech Health El Paso Texas Tech Health El Paso serves 108 rural counties in West Texas and is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education. With a focus on excellence in health care education, research, and clinical service, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 professionals over the past decade, and will include dental graduates beginning in 2025. For more information, visit .
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