PGY2 encourages future residents to maintain personal life outside of residency

Nayeli Fuentes, MD, graduated as valedictorian in her class at Mount Pleasant High School, completed an undergraduate degree as a triple major and a first-generation college student, and earned her medical degree from Texas Tech in Lubbock. She returned to the region of Texas that raised her for residency, now studying at the UT Tyler School of Medicine. As a second-year family medicine resident, her memories of Match Day are pretty fresh in her mind.

How did you prepare for Match Day?
The days leading up to Match Day were a whirlwind of excitement, fear, and anxiety. What grounded me most was practicing gratitude. I constantly reminded myself how fortunate I was to even be in this position; many don’t have the opportunity to pursue higher education, let alone become a physician. Reframing the stress as a privilege helped me realize that regardless of the result, I was honored to continue my training at any of the amazing family medicine programs in Texas.

What was match day like for you?
Match Day was pretty special. I was surrounded by my family and friends. I got to open the envelope that said I would come back to Northeast Texas to continue my training. I’ll never forget that feeling — the realization that years of hard work had finally paid off and that I would be able to serve the very community that supported my journey from the beginning.

What would you tell future residents about starting out in family medicine?
My biggest piece of advice for future residents is to never lose sight of who you are outside of the white coat. Residency is demanding, and the field of family medicine is uniquely challenging, but your values and passions are what will sustain you. Find the hobbies that fuel you, lean on friends who push you to be your best self, and seek out mentors who genuinely care about your growth. When you nurture your own well-being, you become a much more resilient advocate for your patients. For me, distance running has been that vital outlet — it reminds me that there is life and joy beyond the long hours of residency.

What was the hardest part of the Match process?
The hardest part was ranking such an incredible slate of programs. Texas is home to so many family medicine programs that produce well-rounded, exceptional physicians. During interviews, I met residents I truly admired and could see myself working alongside at almost every stop.

How has involvement in TAFP and organized medicine shaped your journey?
Organized medicine has quite literally shaped me into the physician I am today. As a medical student, I participated in the Texas Family Medicine Preceptorship Program, where I first discovered the true breadth of the field. My preceptor, Fiona Prabhu, MD, inspired me to choose this path. Now as a resident, staying involved with TAFP has provided me with invaluable mentorship and a platform to hone my leadership and advocacy skills. It’s powerful to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are all fighting for the patient’s best interest.

What makes family medicine worth choosing?
Family medicine is unique because it allows you to build lifelong relationships while practicing complex diagnostic and preventive care. While medicine has its difficult moments, I am fueled by the small victories. Whether it’s helping a patient finally get their A1C under control or explaining why a screening is vital for their future, walking with patients through their most vulnerable moments is a joy and a responsibility I don't take lightly. I want my patients to know they have an advocate fighting for them every single day as their PCP.

This member profile is part of TAFP's coverage of Match Day 2026, taking place on March 20, 2026. Check out all of TAFP's Match Day coverage here.