Purpose in Practice: J.T. Calinawan’s Path to Medicine

Undergraduate: UC Davis 
Major: Biological Sciences 
Track: Health Equity Track 
Future Health Profession: M.D. 
Health Profession School: UC Davis School of Medicine 

Jerald Troy “J.T.” Calinawan is uniquely motivated in his pursuit to become a doctor. A childhood leukemia survivor, he credits his first spark of interest in medicine to the doctor who supported him throughout the difficult journey. 

“My pediatric oncologist was one of my first influences to pursue a career in medicine,” said J.T. “His genuine and compassionate demeanor sparked my passion for providing this level of care to other patients.” 

According to J.T., the support and love of his doctor and family shaped him into the positive person he is today. This optimism, which helped him navigate cancer treatment, later enabled him to persevere in his academics, bringing him another step closer to his dreams. 

“Upon graduating from UC Davis, it felt as if there was little hope left for applying to medical school due to my academic struggles and low undergraduate GPA—sub-3.0,” he said. “But I knew I still wanted to become a physician. 

Determined to course-correct after his undergraduate experience, J.T. applied to the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program for a second chance. 

“With my fierce determination I ended up completing the program with a 3.9 GPA.” 

Today, J.T. is studying to become a physician at the UC Davis School of Medicine. 

Were there any personal challenges that impacted your undergraduate academic experience? 

After my freshman year, my dad unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack. He was the most positive presence in my life and my best friend, so his sudden passing took a significant toll on my mental health and well-being. Admittedly, I struggled to stay focused on my academics for a long time. 

For the remainder of my undergraduate years, I chose to prioritize spending time with my closest family and friends. Their unconditional support made all the difference—I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. 

I know my dad would be proud of everything I’ve accomplished so far, and I’m going to keep doing my best to make him proud! 

In what ways did your journey through cancer impact the kind of work you want to do? 

After beating cancer, I was inspired to get involved in organizations supporting pediatric patients and families affected by the disease. I held leadership positions at Camp Okizu and Camp Kesem, where I helped pediatric oncology patients enjoy worry-free weeks of summer. Through Relay For Life, my friends and I raised funds for cancer research and patient support resources. 

My undergraduate experience at UC Davis also motivated me to pursue medicine. I joined multiple organizations to support patients and families dealing with illness, which helped me realize that I am uniquely equipped to guide and empathize with those facing life’s toughest challenges—whether they’ve lost a loved one or are battling a life-threatening disease. As a physician, I want to provide patients not only with optimism and empathy, but with tangible treatment plans. 

How did the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac help you correct course and strengthen your med school application? 

Going into the post-bac, I was intentional about holding myself accountable and proving that I could perform at a high level. That internal motivation was key. Being surrounded by other driven students helped reinforce that mindset. 

I also learned to value the process of asking questions—whether it was talking things through with classmates, attending office hours or reaching out to TAs. The program emphasized the importance of seeking help when needed, which helped me become more proactive and collaborative in how I approached learning. 

The program’s focus on academic building, test preparation and application support was exactly what I needed to turn things around. The freedom to choose upper-division science courses that interested me—along with MCAT prep and academic advising—were highlights of the program. 

What did you find most valuable? 

It was an opportunity for me to grow—a second chance to restore my hopes of applying to medical school. I went in determined to prove myself and came out with greater confidence in my abilities as a student and as an individual. 

This program also happens to be where I met my fiancé, Vianca! 

What was your experience like applying to medical schools? 

The application cycle was tough and draining. To me, the secondary application writing was just as strenuous as MCAT prep. I felt like every word mattered, especially with all the changing character counts and essay length requirements! 

Vianca and I were also stressed about going through the cycle together. We dreaded the possibility of being accepted to different schools—or not being accepted at all. We worked diligently to put out our best writing and had many study dates for the MCAT. Thankfully, our first application cycle was successful. We received multiple acceptances across the country and are now both attending the UC Davis School of Medicine as first year students. 

How did the program’s high-touch advising help you throughout the experience? 

Honestly, I would not be where I am today without the program director, Bryelle. She’s amazing. She believed in me from the beginning, even when I did not believe in myself, and guided me every step of the way. 

Bryelle would always hype me up by telling me about the qualities I have that would make me a great physician, and I could tell she really meant it. She genuinely cares about each student’s success. I owe a lot of my success to her support, guidance and belief in me. 

What track did you choose and how did you benefit from the experience? 

I chose the Health Equity Track because of my interest in serving those with health disparities and inequities related to healthcare access. I volunteered at La Familia, a community clinic that provides underserved, low-income families with COVID- 19 resources. The patient interactions I had continue to motivate me to become a physician who can treat patients holistically, while also understanding the social and systemic barriers affecting their health.

Did you feel a sense of community with your classmates? 

Our cohort was the first cohort of the Health Professions Post-Bac Program. It was interesting because we started during the COVID-19 pandemic on Zoom. Even though most of the program was virtual, my peers and I created a collaborative culture. You could tell that everyone had the same goal of getting to the next step, and we were all passionate about helping each other get there. 

What’s your advice for others considering this program? 

Do it! The experience is what you make it, so make the most of it.