January Student of the Month: Katia Castillo, OMS-IV

ACOI recognizes osteopathic medical students who are outstanding members of their medical schools and communities with the Student of the Month Recognition Program.

Please join us in congratulating the January winner: Katia Castillo, OMS-IV, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Louisiana.

Student Doctor Castillo exemplifies the definition of an inspiring and dedicated medical student. Throughout her four years of medical school, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for serving her community, advocating for women in healthcare, and uplifting her classmates.

Before medical school, Katia managed an OB/GYN clinic, where she organized care for high-risk pregnancies and provided mothers with information on safe living spaces and essential supplies. Early in medical school, she organized multiple health fairs in rural Louisiana, bringing vital care to minority communities. From the start, her heart for service has been unmistakable.

As a fluent Spanish speaker from a Latino background, Katia uses her skills to benefit others. Each year, she coordinates and teaches seminars in medical Spanish for classmates preparing for mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. She has also attended these trips herself, providing care to at-risk populations. Her dedication extends beyond medicine: she has created gift baskets for Muslim holidays, raised funds for Christmas toy drives in the Dominican Republic, and given tours to local high school students to inspire future physicians. As a member of Louisiana Families for Vaccines, she attends community events to educate families on immunizations and provide vaccines in partnership with local health departments. She has also organized physician panels from Latino communities at VCOM, enriching cultural awareness within the student body.

Katia’s excellence shines equally in her clinical work. She has earned near-perfect scores on rotations and was named “Student Doctor of the Year” by her attendings. She is recognized for her kindness, diligence, and professionalism, leaving lasting impressions including personalized drawings she creates for her attendings as thank-you gifts. On pediatrics, she donated supplies to the PICU so children could play and color during hospitalization.

Her academic contributions are equally impressive. Katia is a published author with work in prestigious journals, including JAMA. Most recently, she published a case report on neurocysticercosis encountered during her internal medicine rotation, thoughtfully highlighting the medical and social barriers that impacted patient care.

Student Doctor Castillo embodies the values of compassion, scholarship, and service that define our profession.

Meet Katia Castillo

What is your hometown?
San Antonio, Texas. Often referred to as the "Countdown City" because of our 210 area code. Although it is one of the largest cities in the United States, San Antonio has always felt like a small town to me. I am especially grateful to have grown up in a community where Hispanic heritage is widely celebrated. I take great pride in my Latin roots and in sharing how my culture has shaped my values, identity, and approach to both life and medicine. 

What is your education?
I graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, with minors in Chemistry and Biology. I have always been interested in science as it related to people and human health, though I did not initially envision medicine as a career. After completing my undergraduate degree, I took four years off before medical school. During that time, I returned to academia at Columbia University in the city of New York, an experience that reignited my passion for learning and ultimately solidified my decision to pursue medicine. I am currently a fourth-year medical student at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Louisiana. 

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy creative, hands-on activities that allow me to decompress and stay grounded. I love drawing and often create hand-drawn thank-you notes for my attending physicians at the end of my rotations. I also enjoy crafting with friends, most recently working with air-dry clay, and I am looking forward to my first wheel pottery class later this month! In addition, I enjoy working out regularly, which helps me manage stress and maintain balance. 

What are three things people may not know about you?

• I was once hit by a car while riding my bike in New York City. While it was a difficult experience at the time, it taught me resilience and the importance of getting back up and moving forward.
• I have completed ground school toward earning my pilot's license and hope to complete flight training after finishing my medical education. I also hold a motorcycle license.
• I used my background in nutrition and fitness to help my sister place first in her very first bodybuilding competition. Supporting her in reaching her goal was incredibly meaningful and allowed me to apply my academic training in a personal and rewarding way.

How has ACOI helped you in your education so far?
ACOI has helped play an important role in broadening my medical knowledge and supporting my development as a future physician. I regularly read the monthly newsletter and stay current on new guidelines, clinical updates, and advancements in medicine. Building a strong foundational knowledge base has been essential to my growth, and ACOI has helped reinforce that foundation. On a more personal level, my school's ACOI chapter has provided valuable hands-on learning opportunities, including dedicated sessions focused on practical skills such as phlebotomy and IV placement, which have increased my confidence in clinical settings.

Do you have an idea of what specialty you would like to go into?
Yes. I plan to pursue Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery (ENT). I am drawn to ENT because it offers a unique balance of medicine and surgery and allows me to integrate my strong interest in internal medicine with procedural care. My appreciation for internal medicine was foundational in guiding me toward ENT, and the broad medical knowledge emphasized through organizations like ACOI has been instrumental in helping me confidently choose this specialty.