Melissa Hernandez 

Congressional Intern, Presented by Genentech 

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana 

School: Tulane University 

Major: Neuroscience 

Placement: Office of Rep. Jasmine Crockett 

Born and raised in New Orleans, Melissa Hernandez is the daughter of immigrants from Honduras and El Salvador. As a first-generation college student, Melissa is majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track, with minors in Latin American Studies and Political Science. She has received a full scholarship to Tulane University and is a Posse, Jack Kent Cooke, and Newcomb Scholar. Throughout her college career, Melissa has worked as a trip leader for Tulane’s Outdoor Adventures recreational department and is an undergraduate student researcher at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. She is also the proud co-founder of Latinas Unidas, a student organization dedicated to uplifting the Latine identity on campus through cultural events and mentorship programs for high school students in the New Orleans community.  

Melissa hopes to eventually attend medical school and use her platform as a physician to advocate for healthcare policy change. She is particularly passionate about ensuring access to quality healthcare for Hispanic and undocumented populations, who face disproportionately high rates of chronic illness. Melissa plans to continue her work in Louisiana, aiming to educate the public on sustainable health practices and bridge the gap between underrepresented populations and healthcare providers, fostering trust in the medical system through education and advocacy.  

In her internship with CHCI, Melissa looks forward to gaining experience in the policymaking process, particularly in healthcare legislation. She hopes to create lasting initiatives that improve patient outreach and healthcare outcomes for marginalized communities.