Like most kids his age, at 13-years-old, Josh Marquez was much more interested in landing kick-flips on a skateboard than studying for school. Today, he is preparing to graduate from The University of New Mexico School of Medicine with a Doctor of Medicine degree and will soon begin his neurosurgery residency at UNM.
In recognition of his incredible journey, resilience, and dedication to patient care, Marquez has been named this year's School of Medicine "Inspiring Graduate."
Marquez’s journey into medicine followed an unconventional path. A first-generation college student who grew up in Las Cruces, he originally focused on skateboarding, traveling to places like Arizona and California with local sponsors.
"Not a lot of people want to fall on cement eight to twelve hours a day for tiny, incremental progress," he said. "The resilience of skateboarding and how hard you have to work just to get incrementally better is something that I brought into medical school."
Early in college, Marquez said he struggled academically while balancing skating and studies. Then, a blunt meeting with a college advisor changed everything.
"I told her I wanted to go to medical school, and she looked me straight in the eyes and said, 'You're never getting into med school,'" Marquez said. "From that point on, I shifted my focus completely."
Proving her wrong, he said he earned straight A’s, pursued research opportunities and immersed himself in shadowing physicians, building a strong foundation for his future career.
"Just choose the thing that you love most, what you're passionate about in medicine. Follow what you want to do and then just go for that 100%."
– Josh Marquez, UNM School of Medicine
His passion for medicine was also deeply personal.
"My mom’s parents died really early. I never got to meet my grandparents," he said. "That was something that was a huge influence for me getting into family medicine and rural care."
When it came time to apply to medical school, he said UNM quickly rose to the top of his list.
"I wanted to stay. I was born and raised here," Marquez said. "UNM has a lot to offer, especially its emphasis on rural medicine and family medicine. So many patients travel to Albuquerque and UNM, specifically. There are a lot of patients who have to drive hours just to get care."
After completing neurosurgery rotations during medical school at the University of California San Diego, the University of Colorado and Emory University and receiving more than 20 residency interview offers, Marquez made a similar decision to keep UNM high on his list for the possibility of staying in New Mexico for a neurosurgery residency.
"I believe in this program’s growth and potential,” he said. “I had put a lot into it, and I wanted to continue to be a part of that growth."
That family now includes a newborn daughter, who Marquez said has added even deeper meaning to his journey.
"With parenting, figuring it out at first was kind of tough," he said, recalling many intermittent two-hour naps. "But going into residency, sleep deprivation is not what I think is the hardest part. I think the hardest part is just going to be being away from my partner Emily and my daughter."
When reflecting on what he’s most proud of, Marquez points to the resilience that shaped him.
Everything built on everything else, he said. From bouncing back after setbacks, to mentoring classmates, to publishing research, it’s all about never giving up.
As he prepares for a demanding seven-year neurosurgery residency, Marquez already has a clear vision for the kind of doctor he hopes to be.
"I want my patients to feel heard," he said. "They might not remember every detail of their surgery, but they will remember if their doctor listened to them, made them feel safe, and helped them understand what was happening."
His advice to future students reflects the same passion and determination that earned him the title of Inspiring Graduate.
"Just choose the thing that you love most, what you're passionate about in medicine," he said. "Follow what you want to do and then just go for that 100%."
From the skate parks of Las Cruces to the operating rooms of UNM Hospital, Josh Marquez’s story shows how hard work, heart, and a love for learning can build a life of impact one patient, one conversation and one step at a time.
