Smith Scholar Spotlight

Marissa Galicia-Castillo, M.D.

Marissa Galicia-Castillo knows first-hand the value of collaboration. She got an early introduction to Eastern Virginia Medical School as a Norfolk high school student when she signed up for a medical magnet program that allowed public school students to take their science courses at EVMS.

After graduation Galicia-Castillo enrolled at Old Dominion University in a dual program with EVMS that allowed her to start medical school during her fourth year of college. While studying at EVMS Galicia-Castillo received a Florence L. Smith Medical Scholarship from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation which she says “helped reduce my debt from medical school. As a local it was an honor receiving financial assistance from a local group.”

After graduating in 1997, Galicia-Castillo stayed at EVMS for an internal medicine residency and a geriatric fellowship. She chose geriatrics because “older patients are the ones I enjoy taking care of because I can make such a big difference for them.”

Today Galicia-Castillo is associate program director for EVMS’ internal medicine program and is on the staff of EVMS’ Glennan Center for Geriatrics. At EVMS she teaches courses in patient care and geriatrics in addition to helping oversee the geriatrics clerkship. She continues to collaborate with other local institutions by treating older patients at Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk.