A proud Double Cane who earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Miami in 2023, Real Escobar was recently accepted to three medical schools in Colombia: Universidad de los Andes, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and Universidad del Rosario. After careful consideration, she chose Universidad de los Andes School of Medicine, where she will begin her medical education this August.

For Real Escobar, the achievement represents the fulfillment of a long-held goal.

“Becoming a physician has been my dream for many years, and there were certainly moments along the way that tested my resilience and determination,” she said. “Receiving these acceptances felt like a reminder that every late night, every challenge and every setback had a purpose.”

Returning to Colombia for medical school is especially meaningful to her.

“Colombia will always be home to me,” she said. “Being able to return there for medical school feels like a full-circle moment, combining my passion for medicine with my connection to the country where my story began.”

As she prepares for a career in medicine, Real Escobar said her public health education has shaped the way she understands healthcare and patient care.

“My M.P.H. experience taught me to look at health through a much broader lens,” she said. “It challenged me to think beyond individual patient care and consider the social, environmental and cultural factors that influence health outcomes.”

She credits the Accelerated M.P.H. program with helping prepare her for the next stage of her academic and professional journey and is especially grateful to Tulay Koru-Sengul, Ph.D., for helping build her confidence in research and biostatistics.

“Her biostatistics course ended up being one of the most practical and valuable classes I took because I continue to use those skills regularly in my research today,” Real Escobar said.

Studying public health also reinforced the importance of prevention, education and understanding the broader factors that influence health.

“Studying public health reinforced the importance of seeing the whole person, not just the diagnosis,” she said. “I hope to carry that perspective with me throughout my career.”

Following medical school, Real Escobar hopes to pursue a career in dermatology with a focus on skin cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. She also plans to remain involved in research, mentorship and community outreach.

Reflecting on her time in the Department of Public Health Sciences, she said the sense of community stands out most.

“The University of Miami has played such a significant role in my personal and professional growth, and I will always be proud to call myself a Miami alum,” she said. “The support I found within the department made me feel encouraged, challenged and inspired, and that is something I will carry with me into this next chapter.”

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published June 18, 2026.