Mercedes was raised in Tucson, AZ. She comes from a very close family. She is also one of the first in her family to pursue a career in healthcare. She participated regularly in the many community service events that our college sponsors. Many of these projects were community outreach programs completed off campus. Mercedes has always had a strong desire to provide and improve care for the underserved. This desire was evident as she cared for the underserved during rotations to various dental clinics around the Phoenix, AZ, area. After graduation, she will return to Tucson to provide dental care in a public health clinic.