This week, we spotlight Itzel Mancilla as Elmhurst’s Person of the Month. From a young girl in Mexico to an aspiring pediatric doctor in the United States, Itzel Mancilla’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience, ambition, and the power of dreams.
Born in Mexico, Itzel immigrated to the U.S. at a young age, where she was surrounded by a family legacy of medicine—her father and grandfather were both doctors. This early exposure fueled her fascination with the human body and medical science. “All of my life I remember always being fascinated with my dad’s career,” Itzel recounted in an interview with Elmhurst Daily. “I was constantly asking him questions about the body and how things worked.”
In high school, her passion for medicine grew. Itzel decided to formalize her interest by enrolling at Elmhurst University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology on a pre-medicine track, along with a triple minor in French, Medical Humanities, and Psychology.
Itzel recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences from Roosevelt University, a significant milestone she attributes to her family’s sacrifices. “These degrees are a direct reflection of all the hard work my family made to be here,” she stated. “I am so fortunate to be in a position to pursue my dreams and aspirations and that is not something I take for granted.”
Itzel is not resting on her achievements. As she studies for the MCAT, she is gearing up to apply to medical school for the 2026 cycle, with her sights set firmly on pediatrics. Simultaneously, she is making strides in her research position at the Medical Social Sciences lab at Northwestern University, where she is deepening her understanding of the medical field and honing her skills.
Itzel encourages those who aspire to follow in her footsteps to remain focused on their goals. She says, “The journey to your goals may not be exactly as you envision it to be. My favorite quote from one of my grad school professors was ‘the universe’s delays are not its denials’. I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason, so just because there may be deterrents in your way, does not mean that it is not meant for you. Keep your head up through it all and always give it your best shot.”
Elmhurst Daily 