Mireya Samaniego
Dr. Mireya Samaniego was born in Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents. In her early childhood, her family relocated to Madera, California, in the San Joaquin Valley, where they worked in the fields, harvesting crops such as grapes, garlic, onions, and olives. Despite these hardships, her parents emphasized the importance of education as a way out of poverty, encouraging Dr. Samaniego and her siblings to pursue higher learning.
Dr. Samaniego continued her education at Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology. After several years working in healthcare, she attended the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University to pursue her medical degree.
During her medical studies, Dr. Samaniego faced a personal health challenge and had to pause her education to navigate the path of being a patient. This experience deepened her empathy and strengthened her ability to connect with those she serves, giving her a profound understanding of both sides of the doctor-patient relationship.
Dr. Samaniego completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Los Angeles General Medical Center (formerly LA County + USC Medical Center). She then worked as a primary care physician in community clinics in Highland Park and El Sereno in Los Angeles. In 2019, she returned to the San Joaquin Valley to practice both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Samaniego is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of physicians. She has mentored pre-medical and medical students and has worked closely with pediatric residents, helping shape their clinical skills and professional development. Her dedication to mentoring underscores her passion for fostering the future of healthcare.
In addition to her mentoring roles, Dr. Samaniego was involved in establishing a reading program at the pediatric clinic that promotes early literacy among children aged 6 months to 5 years. Through this program, she and her colleagues provided guidance, support, and books to young children, sparking a love for reading in early childhood.
Dr. Samaniego's service extends beyond medicine and education. She has been involved with the San Joaquin Valley Medical Scholarship Fund (SJVMSF) since 2022 and has recently accepted a position on its Board of Directors, continuing her commitment to improving access to education and healthcare in her community.