UTSA grad champions health equity, paving the way for positive change

DECEMBER 20, 2023 — A few months before high school graduation, Suyapa Muñoz ’23 didn’t know how she would afford college. Fortunately, a counselor guided her toward a merit-based program that covered the majority of her tuition. Muñoz grasped tightly onto the opportunity.

Now the first-generation student, who has a heart of gold, is devoting her life to helping others. She recently crossed the Commencement stage to celebrate her double bachelor’s in psychology and neurobiology.

Muñoz wants to pursue a career in health care. The inequitable access to health resources became apparent to Muñoz growing up. She observed the stark contrast in health care systems between San Antonio and Honduras, where her mother immigrated from at 17.

“I’m interested in growing into a physician with a focus on substance use and family medicine. I want to be able to continue to support and interact with the community.”

To become part of the solution, Muñoz began interning at Close to Home, formerly known as the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, while she was enrolled at UTSA.

“I did a lot of street medicine — observing doctors who volunteer their time going out to meet with people who are unhoused, don’t have insurance or could be undocumented. That was one of the biggest reasons I thought this is the route I should take — to be a physician or a provider who can fill that gap somehow,” Muñoz said. “I really like serving people and being able to provide them with resources.”

One of the first visits Muñoz made was to an encampment where she met a 17-year-old living under a bridge in need of medical care and social services. That heart-breaking moment stuck with her.

“I think about what happens when I’m not there, and it makes me angry. But it also fills me with hope and passion,” said Muñoz.

Muñoz’s internship at Close to Home developed into a youth liaison role, enabling her to delve deeper into her passion and identify disparities in the local homeless system.

Her work experience has also been complemented by a research opportunity. At UTSA, she joined the Global Health Research Laboratory as a research assistant under Katelyn Sileo, assistant professor of public health.

She supported a project studying family planning intervention for couples in rural Uganda. Muñoz gained versatile and valuable research experience, learning about other public health concepts such as masculine gender discrepancy.

“One of my favorite experiences at UTSA was working with her. She taught me a lot,” Muñoz said of Sileo. “I’m interested in growing into a physician with a focus on substance use and family medicine. I want to be able to continue to support and interact with the community.”

In the meantime, Muñoz serves as a harm reduction service navigator at the Corazon Ministries Harm Reduction Center. The organization’s goal is to facilitate access to medical, behavioral treatment and social services for those in need, so she spends much of her time working with individuals impacted by substance use and by homelessness.

“Regardless of a person’s substance use, we’re going to treat you with humility and dignity because you’re a human being,” said Munoz.

— Ari Castañeda