Rebecca Donham, DO

About

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Graduate School: Master of Arts, Global Health at University of California, San Diego

Undergraduate School: University of California, San Diego

Life Before Medical School: I’ve been fortunate to have eclectic experiences meaningful to me. I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and graduated high school in 2016. As an FGLI student, I attended Los Rios Community College System before earning my Bachelors and Masters in Global Health from University of California, San Diego in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Concurrent with school, I worked in diverse fields, serving as a Congressional intern, collegiate instructor assistant, nonprofit grant writer, emergency medical technician, armed security services field jr administrator, international project leader, and youth running coach, among others. I had the honor to also work in basic science research at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Shriners’ Hospital for Children, and University of California, Davis School of Medicine and the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine.

Throughout my pre-medical career, I was lucky to work with extraordinary individuals toward meaningful goals, whether as a volunteer at our local food pantries, shelter, educational programs, free clinics, or emergency preparedness group; as an Aerospace scholar through NASA’s NCAS program; as support to our extended military family; or simply being part of my community. I’m grateful to have been able to lead community improvement projects in mental health resource opportunities, education equity, substance use and road safety, environmental support, and pathways for community members experiencing chronic homelessness — roles I’m appreciative to continue. What also continues is the kind guidance and inspiring example of supportive mentors and loved ones who shared a legacy I hope to carry on.

Why Community Memorial?: One of my life’s goals has always been to have the privilege of serving communities considered medically and psychiatrically underserved, especially within low-resource settings. To train to best support the needs and goals of each individual, I sought a strong community residency that would provide well-rounded training, an emphasis on supporting patients through individual, familial, culturally-salient, and community levels, and a caring philosophy of reaching towards the edifice of precipitating factors of mental health to systematically promote wellness. Ultimately, Community Memorial embodies what I seek in a residency program and provides care that I’d want for my loved ones. I’m grateful to be in a place with outstanding individuals I’m fortunate to learn from, with a mission I hope to contribute towards, and in a community I’m honored to be a part of.

Hobbies: I love adventuring and exploring our world: through books, talking with strangers (who never stay that way long), and especially seeing the world (even within my home city by pretending to be a tourist to see it with new eyes!) I especially love learning about astrophysics, history, civics, biomathematics, permaculture, philosophy, etymology, architecture, and, of course, sociopsychology! In free time, you’ll often find me hiking with my dog, overanalyzing movies, or inviting you to join a multi-course meal prepared by myself and (mainly) my spouse at a celebration for nothing in particular, yet life in general, for loved ones and new friends to always build more community.