Chris Travis graduated from the FACES Oakland program and Oakland Technical High School in 2007. Chris will begin his internship/residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Southern California in Summer 2019, after completing his medical studies at Columbia University in New York City. Chris graduated from Columbia University receiving a BA in English and a MA in Narrative Medicine. Chris then received a MS in Medical Physiology at Case Western Reserve University.
Chris shares, “When I was in high school, FACES gave me a taste of what it would be like to be a doctor. But more than that, it introduced me to passionate medical professionals who continue to inspire and mentor me to this day. FACES not only made me want to be a doctor – it introduced me to people who would help me one day make that dream a reality. FACES allowed me to really see if being a doctor was what I wanted to do. When I first entered the program, I absolutely knew that I wanted to be a surgeon. But after all of my surgical rotations and my clerkship in surgery, my opinion changed. Though my respect for surgeons deepened, I learned that another specialty might be a better fit for me. Without FACES, I would not have had the opportunity to begin thinking seriously about specialization before I even entered college. My current goal is to become a pediatrician focusing on primary care in underserved communities.
Everyone I met at FACES helped me to believe in myself and follow my dreams. But perhaps more importantly than that, Dr. Magaña and others have been there to talk with me about ways that I can grow. FACES is not just a cheerleading squad; it is a program committed to its students even when that means we need tough love.”