Written by Kristen Zapata
First-generation graduate and first-year dental student Carlos Hernandez has faced a challenging path to be where he is now, including the experience of his childhood home burning to the ground. Raised alongside his seven siblings by a single mother, first in Mexico and then immigrating to the U.S. as a boy, Hernandez learned early on the value of hard work.
Every summer, he and his brothers worked on fields in Indiana to earn money for school clothes, guided by their mother’s wisdom that anything worth having must be earned. His grandfather pushed him to pursue his education by reminding him that without a focus on his future, he could spend his life in those fields.
Hernandez credits his family and Mexican-American heritage for teaching him resilience, the importance of community and a deep sense of responsibility.
“I grew up in a household where taking the first step was the hardest part,” he said. “As a first-generation Latino student, we often don’t have guidance and are afraid to take risks. My mother always told me, ‘Vergüenza es que te pesquen robando, no por andar pidiendo ayuda,’ which means, ‘Shame is getting caught stealing, not asking for help.’ This reminder has helped me overcome fear and push forward.”
These lessons influence how he approaches life, and now, patient care. For those who, like him, face barriers to accessing health care, Hernandez’s goal as a future dentist is to ensure that all his patients receive the care they deserve, regardless of their background.