PORTFOLIO

Education      

Master of Public Health                                                                                                                                           May 2026

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL                                                                                                                     

Bachelor of Health Science, Minor in Health Promotion                                                                                May 2025

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL                                                                                                                    

 

Research Experience                                                                                                              

Research Assistant                                                                                                                          August 2023 – May 2025

University Scholars Program, Bilingual Language Access and Outcomes Lab, Department of Public Health and Health Professions                                 

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL      

• Designed and conducted an independent research study under the mentorship of Dr. Sharon DiFino, examining the role of Spanish-speaking healthcare providers in improving health outcomes and access.

Research Assistant                                                                                                                         January 2023 – May 2023 Active Learning Program, UF/IFAS Health Extension, Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences                      University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

• Collaborated with Dr. Melissa Vilaro on three pilot studies via Health Extension, driving data collection, analysis, and research material creation, including surveys, flyers, and posters.

 

Professional Experience     

Graduate Teaching Assistant                                                                                                           August 2025 – Current  University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

• Managed course operations by tracking attendance, grading assignments, facilitating in-class activities, and coordinating with professors.

• Supported students by monitoring participation, providing feedback, and serving as a resource for course-related questions.                                                                            

Medical Assistant                                                                                                                               January 2025 – Current   Dermatology Associates – Gainesville, FL

• Collected patient histories, documented encounters, and maintained accurate medical records to support provider workflow.

• Prepared exam rooms, set up instruments, and assisted providers during dermatologic procedures, including biopsies and excisions.                 

Student Assistant                                                                                                                            January 2023 – May 2025 Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Training Program, Department of Pediatrics in College of Medicine                     University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

• Streamlined administrative tasks by constructing new patient charts, generating documents, and preparing necessary forms and labels, facilitating seamless workflow within the program.

• Facilitated communication between team members, providing additional assistance as required, and fostering a collaborative working environment to support the program's objectives effectively.

 

Community Service        

Triunfadores

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL                                                                                              August 2024 – May 2025

• Tutored elementary, middle, and high school Hispanic students with limited English proficiency, providing homework help and subject-specific support across core academic areas.

Hearoes Amigos                                                                                                                             February 2024 – May 2025

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

• Fostered cross-cultural communication and linguistic development by virtually mentoring an individual from Spain with hearing loss, dedicating weekly sessions to enhance their English-speaking proficiency.  

PT Equal Access Clinic                                                                                                                             April 2024 – Current

Gainesville, FL

• Provided proficient medical translation services in Spanish, facilitating clear communication between healthcare providers and Spanish-speaking patients during appointments and procedures.

Balance 180 – Adaptive Gymnastics                                                                                              January 2024 – Current

Gainesville, FL                        

• Provided personalized coaching and support to child athletes with physical or intellectual disabilities, focusing on enhancing their motor skills across various gymnastic apparatus including vault, bars, beam, and floor exercises.         

HCA North Florida Hospital                                                                                                       March 2023 – August 2024

Gainesville, FL

• Actively contributed as a volunteer in the maternity patient care unit, providing compassionate support to laboring and antepartum patients, and assisting nursing staff in various tasks such as managing access to the NICU unit.

 

Leadership & Involvement

MPH Epidemiology Student Advisory Council                                                                          August 2024 – May 2025

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL                                                                                     

• Represented student perspectives by voicing concerns, highlighting course issues, and contributing to curriculum development during monthly advisory council meetings.

PHHP LEAP                                                                                                                                          August 2024 – May 2025

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL                                                                                      

• Mentored an undergraduate student, providing guidance on course selection, research, shadowing, and other academic or professional opportunities based on their individual goals.

PR Committee Director, Health Science Student Organization                                          August 2024 – May 2025

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

• Directed PR Committee by creating social media content, leading Zoom meetings, and delegating tasks to team members to ensure effective outreach and communication.

UF HPCC Ambassadors                                                                                                                    August 2023 – May 2025

University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

• Represent the PHHP College across multiple committees, mentor undergraduate students on applications and writing, promote college initiatives through outreach and social media, and speak with prospective students during campus visits.

 

Skills

• Bilingual in English and Spanish

• Strong written and verbal communication

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint

• Highly organized and detail-oriented

• Quick to adapt to new tasks and responsibilities

​

Publications 

Garcia, Gretel (2025). A Survey Analysis of Healthcare Communication: Assessing the Impact of Bilingual Providers vs. Interpreters on Patient Experience. UF Journal of Undergraduate Research. https://doi.org/10.32473/ufjur.27.138796

​