UNM Newsroom: Ashlyn Black, Doctor of Medicine, Graduates in 2024 and Inspires

Ashlynn Black, a Native American student at The University of New Mexico, had a life-changing moment on Match Day as she found out where she would be spending the next few years doing her residency training. Raised on the Navajo Nation near the Four Corners, Black’s journey to this day was filled with challenges and doubts, but her determination and passion for helping her community never wavered.

Despite feeling like she didn’t belong in the pre-med culture at Stanford University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in biology, Black persevered and eventually found her place at UNM’s School of Medicine. With the support of mentors and her own hard work, Black excelled in her studies and clinical work, earning honors and awards along the way.

On Match Day, surrounded by her loved ones, Black opened her envelope to find out she had been accepted to Stanford for her residency training. The news was met with both excitement and sadness, as she will miss her time at UNM and being close to home. However, Black’s ultimate goal is to return to her community as a hospitalist and primary care provider, using her education and skills to make a meaningful impact.

As Black looks towards the future, she is grateful for the opportunities she has been given and is determined to give back to her community. With her unwavering dedication and passion for helping others, Ashlynn Black is set to make a difference in the world of healthcare.