Ruth Barber Goodson likes to say that she was destined to graduate from the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Her parents, both of whom attended the Keck School, met on their very first day, while viewing red blood cells under a microscope.

Growing up in La Cañada as the daughter of a pediatrician and an internist, Goodson saw the impact that compassionate health care had on her community. She attended USC as an undergrad, where she studied abroad in Chile, helping her to become fluent in Spanish. She later took a year off post-graduation to become certified as a health care Spanish/English interpreter.

While at the Keck School, Goodson held a variety of leadership positions, including president of Keck Peer Support, a student-run peer-counseling program. She’s also president of the Keck School Family Medicine Interest Group, a student-run group that serves as a resource and advocacy group for students interested in exploring a primary care career in family medicine.

Following graduation, Ruth will head to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Diego for a residency in family medicine.

— Cynthia Smith