Harper College is closed on Friday, April 18, for Reading Day.
Dr. Ruth Morales immigrated from Mexico when she was only 6 months old. Growing up in poverty and watching her parents struggle to house and feed her and her siblings gave her the drive to attain higher education.
Due to lack of resources, becoming a teenage mother and being undocumented, she found it difficult to reach her goals.
At 26 years old, Dr. Morales took her first course at Harper College and in 2018 she became the first in her family to earn a college degree. She then pursued her dream career to be a doctor of physical therapy.
In 2023, Dr. Morales reached her goal and graduated from Northwestern University with her doctorate in physical therapy all while being a proud DACA recipient. She is now working in a private clinic in the North Shore and has received a certification to work with cancer patients.
Her goal is to solely work with breast cancer survivors. Dr. Morales is currently developing a breast cancer surveillance program at her clinic to help women battling breast cancer live pain free and have a good quality of life.
She hopes her story can help encourage others who are in similar situations achieve their dreams despite their immigration and socioeconomic status.
We encourage you to listen to Episode 35 of Harper Talks: The Harper Alumni Podcast to learn more about Dr. Morales and her story.