Antonio Garcia, 26, is a second-year medical student at the University of California Riverside, a school that's fighting its hometown's severe doctor shortage by forgiving the student loan debt of its graduates who stay and practice in the area for five years. Garcia is in many ways the poster child for the public-minded model UCR is trying to create. From a Mexican-American family with eleven siblings, he's the only one to pursue medicine in a state where Latinos make up less than 5 percent of the physician population despite representing a massive chunk of its overall population. Jason Tran, Garcia's friend and fellow second-year classmate, described the program as tailor-made to improve the quality of care in the community.



"[UCR's program] helps us become well-rounded on our path towards becoming a physician," Tran said. "Across America—especially in Riverside—the health climate is changing, to where people come from all different kinds of backgrounds and we need physicians who can appreciate different cultures."



Garcia is keenly aware of the issues his community in Riverside is facing. He was initially drawn to the program for its option to pursue a dual Master's in Public Policy degree, although he's no longer doing so. Photographer Mark Peterson followed him for this photo essay to get a sense what's inspired him to devote his professional life to the community that makes up his home and family life.

Mark Peterson/Redux Pictures for POLITICO Magazine