Transcending Expectations

On June 13, 2025, the University of Utah broke ground on the University of Utah Eccles Health Campus and Eccles Hospital in West Valley City—a milestone moment made possible through a lead gift of $75 million from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. At the groundbreaking, West Valley community member and second-year medical student in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, Dennis Menjivar, BS’23, took the stage to talk about what that moment meant to him. UtahMed talked to him about his path to becoming a doctor and what he hopes to achieve as a future physician.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MEDICINE?

Growing up, it felt like becoming a doctor was almost something gatekept. But I also knew it was what I wanted to do. I was stubborn, with a firm belief that I would get into medical school no matter what. I started to pursue concurrent enrollment and technical classes in high school, such as medical assisting. I recall being told by a counselor that I had to set my sights lower, and I encountered a similar attitude whenever I tried to push my boundaries. I had to learn to not let myself be put in a box. My parents and high school teachers were very encouraging, telling me to challenge myself and have faith in my abilities.

WHAT WAS YOUR PATH TO THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH LIKE AS A FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT?

I had to pave the path for myself. My dream was always to attend the U, so I looked for any opportunity to make it possible. When I learned that university employees get 50% off tuition, it clicked. I qualified for a Federal Pell Grant in my first year, but the rest was financed by me. I worked full-time as a medical assistant throughout college, and I was able to graduate without loans. 

“When I learned that the U is building the health campus and hospital in West Valley, I immediately dreamed of practicing medicine here so that I can give back.” 

HOW DOES BEING FROM WEST VALLEY CITY, WHERE THE U IS EXPANDING ITS FIRST OFF-CAMPUS HOSPITAL, INFLUENCE YOUR GOALS AS A FUTURE PHYSICIAN?

When I learned that the U is building the health campus and hospital in West Valley, I immediately dreamed of practicing medicine here so that I can give back. There’s a culture of working hard here, but people often put their health off to the side, which can lead to chronic conditions.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

I think you don’t really go into health care without feeling a sense of responsibility to your community. I’m bilingual, so I’d be able to talk to many patients in their language and understand some of the cultural nuances. I want to encourage residents to obtain screening tests and take other preventive measures. If we’re able to address certain issues right away, we can make a big impact.