Members of the Month: Jacqueline Falcon, MD, and Juliana Falcon, MD

Born and raised in Rio Grande City, Texas, twin sisters and first-generation college graduates Jacqueline and Juliana Falcon (both MDs) took parallel paths from graduating high school to becoming practicing family physicians back in their hometown. After both earning degrees in Human Development and Family Sciences from UT Austin, they completed medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, then were both accepted into the UTRGV family medicine residency program back in the Valley. They completed residency together last year and both got hired to practice family medicine at South Texas Health Systems Clinics, where they are dedicated to delivering compassionate care to the community that raised them. Both sisters credit each other in making their shared dream a reality.

Who or what inspired you to become a family physician?
Juliana: I felt drawn to medicine early on in my high school years. I thought it was interesting, challenging, and very rewarding. I pursued family medicine specifically because I believe strongly in preventive care. My twin sister was also a major source of inspiration for me to keep going on this career path – we encouraged and inspired each other every step of the way and this is likely the reason why I’m a doctor today.

Jacqueline: I have always had a deep interest in science and the human body since I was in middle school. I highly admired my pediatrician growing up because he was intelligent, compassionate, caring, and positive. He encompassed everything that I wanted to be as a person in the future. Through my journey, I became passionate about family medicine, specifically, because it was full spectrum, treated all age groups, and involved building deeper connections with patients.

How did attending school and residency together make the experience better?
Jacqueline: As a first-generation college graduate, attending college, medical school, and residency together with my twin sister made the entire experience a lot less scary, overwhelming, and daunting. Having someone understand the struggle and the dedication required to get through this long career, but also share in the success of accomplishing this, has made it easier to stay motivated and keep going despite any hurdles on the way. I would not be here today if I didn’t have my sister by my side.

What made you both so passionate about returning home to practice?
Juliana: I consider the Rio Grande Valley my home. We were born and raised in Rio Grande City and even though we’ve lived almost everywhere in Texas, I never feel so “at home” than when I am in the RGV. Here, I am surrounded by my entire family, and I also know there is a lot of need for family physicians due to the RGV being a low income, low health literacy area. It is always a pleasure and honor to be able to give back to the community that raised me.

Why do you choose to be a TAFP member?
Juliana: I chose to be a TAFP member because it’s the best way to have access to everything family medicine. TAFP allows family physicians to involve themselves in advocacy, continued medical education (CME) opportunities, and the local chapters allow for family physicians to connect in their shared passion of providing health care and public health in their respective communities.

What has surprised you most about family medicine?
Jacqueline: The broad spectrum of diseases that we treat in family medicine. We mostly get the bread and butter chronic disease cases, but encounter the “zebras” every now and then that keep me on my toes. I have built relationships with entire families and have learned that family medicine physicians help treat the patient beyond the clinic room, helping patients with social determinants of health like transportation and food insecurity.

What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
Juliana: I enjoy binge watching TV shows or going to the movie theatre, reading, shopping, trying out new restaurants or coffee shops, visiting with family and friends, and also working out in my home.

Jacqueline: I enjoy reading thriller, mystery, or fantasy books before bedtime. I often binge shows on Netflix or Hulu. I like traveling and visiting new cities with family. I enjoy dancing and exercising at home. I love baking, from cakes to puff pastry desserts, for my friends and co-workers. I will be trying to learn piano this year.

TAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Texas family physicians in TAFP News Now and on the TAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different TAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting TAFP by email at tafp@tafp.org or by phone at (512) 329-8666.