
Alex Valenzuela
Studied at UCLA School of Medicine
Worked at Weill Cornell Medicine
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About Alex
I’m an MD from UCLA, a first-generation student from California’s Central Valley, and a former general surgery resident at Weill Cornell. I’m currently transitioning into diagnostic radiology and continue to work with medical students preparing for Step 1, Step 2 CK, shelf exams, and clinical rotations. I know how overwhelming medical training can feel, especially when you’re trying to balance clinical responsibilities, exam prep, and career decisions. My tutoring style is practical, supportive, and question-based. I help students break down clinical vignettes, recognize what the exam is really asking, and build clear frameworks for diagnosis, management, and next-best-step questions. I’m especially helpful for students preparing for the Surgery Shelf, Step 2 CK, and UWorld/NBME-style exams, or for anyone who feels they understand the material but struggles to translate that into consistent scores.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I know how valuable the right guidance can be in medical training. As a first-generation student from California’s Central Valley, I understand how challenging it can be to navigate medical school, exams, clinical rotations, and career decisions without a clear roadmap. I enjoy helping students feel less overwhelmed by breaking down difficult concepts, building practical frameworks, and turning missed questions into learning opportunities. My goal is to help students study more efficiently, think more clinically, and feel more confident as they move through medical school.
Work Experience

Medical Officer
Mercor
October 2024 - Present

Research Assistant
Weill Cornell Medicine
June 2024 - Present

General Surgery Resident
Weill Cornell Medicine
June 2024 - June 2025

Medical Student, Graduate Student Researcher
National Institutes of Health
July 2022 - July 2023

Tutor
Wyzant
June 2020 - Present

Research Assistant
Stanford University
August 2018 - August 2019

Research Assistant
University of Pennsylvania
July 2015 - July 2017
Education

UCLA School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
2019 - 2024

University of California, San Francisco
Medicine
2018 - 2018