Who We Are
We bring together future healthcare providers and students of Yakima County that collaborate in sciences to explore healthcare and all that it could be. We do labs like chemistry and EMG (electromyography – measures electrical activity of muscles), simulations such as patient care and birth simulations, and explore what it is like to work as a doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, dentistry and more. Roots to Wings is a co-mentorship program which means that the students of Yakima County also lead and educate the PNWU students to help make them better healthcare workers in the future.
Mission Statement
Youth deserve access to quality education so they can be change agents who transform their community. Empowering youth to improve their academic and spiritual potential while remaining true to their values and traditions. We aim to increase the number of Indigenous Americans and Latinx in osteopathic medicine and other healing arts and to decrease health inequities through educational access opportunities.
Core Values
Community Co-ownership
Commitment to responding to underrepresented youth by maximizing educational opportunity.
Collaboration
Respectfully work with compassion, integrity, and openness with educational institutions to enhance the education of youth.
Humility
Gather in the circle to listen and honor the place of not knowing; leading to awareness, openness, and cultural sensitivity, which inform our plans and actions.
Egalitarian
Understand that each person has important and significant gifts to offer collectively.
Traditional Knowledge
We value the integral participation of the tribal elders in the education experience.
Compassion
Every plan of action executed must emerge with kindness for all.
Roots to Wings Timeline
Curriculum
Hear from Our Students
Participating in Roots to Wings has been a transformative experience and a highlight of my time at PNWU. Through the innovative co-mentoring model, I have received a glimpse into the unique life and culture of the youth of Yakima Valley, while also sharing my stories as a first generation medical student and immigrant. Over the past years, I have had the privilege of seeing my co-mentors grow and develop alongside me as we embark on our respective journeys. Roots to wings has been a vital part of strengthening my connection to the PNWU community.
– Andy Shang class of 2025
Roots to wings was a great opportunity for me, as a medical student, to foster relationships with and learn from high school students in my local community. The ability to work alongside students as a co-mentor provided me with valuable life lessons / will utilize in my future career.
– Katie Wang COM class of 2026
Cultural competency is an important skill for all health professionals, but the term can feel nebulous at times. Roots to Wings is a great opportunity to build the skill through the practice of co-mentoring. The program presents the diverse communities, cultures, and practices in the Yakima region while also helping middle and high school students realize their vast potential, especially in the healthcare fields. I highly recommend being a part of Roots to Wings, the experience has been informative and inspirational.
– Munif Chowdhury, COM class of 2026
I have had the best time getting to be a co-mentor within the Roots-to-Wings program. Getting to see how bright minded each of the students are gets me very excited to see what the downstream impacts of this opportunity for the health and wellbeing of our community.
– JoAnne Compo, COM class of 2026
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to connect with the inspiring youth of Yakima. This program has allowed me to witness the remarkable potential of the next generation as they spread their roots and wings, empowered with knowledge, skills, and newfound sense of purpose. It’s a privilege to be a part of their journey towards success, and the Roots to Wings program is a testament of transformative co-mentorship in shaping not only the future leaders of our community, but also within myself as an individual.
– Ana Chang, COM class of 2026
A younger version of me as a student could have received great value from mentors to encourage, support and guide me into a career pathway that I desired. Being a part of the Roots to Wings program allowed me the opportunity to do so for our future leaders. In exchange, I received many experiences, laughs and lessons from my co-mentors.
– Mahrukh Kadri, COM class of 2026
The Roots to Wings Co-mentor program has been a privilege to be a part of. I have been able to connect with young scholars through our shared interest in STEM, participate in medical simulations and practice use of clinical equipment, while deepening my understanding of culture and community.
– Christine Nguyen, COM class of 2025
Contact Information
Dr. Mirna Ramos-Diaz, MD, MA, FAAP
Roots to Wings Faculty Program Director
mramosdiaz@pnwu.edu
509.249.7796
Rona Cigner
Program Coordinator
509.249.7949
rcigner@pnwu.edu
Omar Zaragoza
Assistant Director of ODEIB Program Development
ozaragoza@pnwu.edu
