A Passion for Public Health
We’re highlighting our Class of 2025 students in advance of Match Day on March 21. Stay connected with the Miller School of Medicine on social media for more student profiles and to follow along for live Match Day coverage.
The seeds of a career in medicine were planted early in Erin Carr’s undergraduate career.
A Miami Beach native, Carr attended the University of Florida and studied, in addition to Spanish, microbiology, cell science and health disparities. She was fascinated by infectious diseases and genetics, but it took the words and wisdom of a University of Miami Miller School of Medicine faculty member to transform interest into concrete action.
“Throughout my studies at UF, I became interested in microbiology as well health disparities in society. But a lecture on the work of Dr. Hansel Tookes is what led me to UM for medical school,” said Carr. “The combination of infectious diseases and substance abuse disorders, the psychosocial aspects, the stigma of being underinsured homeless, or a drug user as risk factors and barriers to care are all very intriguing and complex issues.”
Another big draw of the Miller School was the IDEA Exchange, a harm reduction program for people who inject drugs. There, Carr worked closely with patients in recovery. By her third year of medical school, Carr was studying treatment and reproductive outcomes under Maria Alcaide, M.D., professor in the Division of Infectious Disease at the Miller School and interim vice provost for research and scholarship at the University of Miami. Miami consistently reports elevated rates of women with HIV and Carr worked with Dr. Alcaide to study the impact of HIV on pregnancy complications.
“Women are at higher risk for HIV during pregnancy, making it crucial to identify barriers to care and differences in pregnancy outcomes,” Carr said. “Studying these factors is meaningful in understanding how we can better address existing disparities. The opportunity to contribute to research that tackles these critical issues was both exciting and deeply valuable.”
During medical school, Carr recognized the importance of peer support. She joined the Miller School’s Peer Support Network as a volunteer to help fellow students navigate medical school challenges.
“Mentorship is absolutely critical. Upperclassmen took me under their wing when I started medical school, started clinicals and now, on the other side, as I prepare for residency,” Carr explained. “It is also really nice to be surrounded by people who care and share my values, whether that is a commitment to the underserved or a passion for the exchange of ideas.”
Carr has applied for an internal medicine residency and plans to pursue an infectious diseases fellowship. Ultimately, she aims to bridge genetics and infectious disease research to improve patient care.
As she wraps up her time at the Miller School and prepares for Match Day, Carr filled with hope and gratitude.
“As I approach the end of medical school, I’m filled with so many emotions: pride, gratitude and excitement. It’s hard to believe how far I’ve come and I feel so proud of myself and my peers for everything we’ve accomplished,” she said. “Reaching this point truly took a village and I’m incredibly thankful for the support I’ve received from my family, friends and mentors. Reflecting on the tremendous growth over the past few years, I realize what a privilege it’s been to train in such a supportive and nurturing environment.”
Tags: Dr. Maria Alcaide, IDEA Exchange, Infectious diseases, Match Day, Match Day 2025, medical students, Miller School of Medicine, student leadership