McNeilly Arias, M.D.

What this award means: Receiving this award affirms the importance of remaining engaged with the community while pursuing medical training. The service opportunities I have been involved in remind me that health is shaped by relationships, support systems, and the practical realities people face daily. Receiving an award that honors these values reinforces my commitment to practicing medicine in a way that remains attentive to the needs of the community.

Mentor comment: Empathy was one of the areas where McNeilly excelled the most. Not only was she able to clearly and adequately explain care plans in an easy-to-follow way, but her empathy and behavior toward her patients shone through. Multiple patients told me how wonderful her care was and how much they appreciated her being on their team. – Internal medicine resident

Background and family: I grew up in the Texas Hill Country on the outskirts of San Antonio. My mother is a professor of architecture and my father worked as a mechanical engineer. My first meaningful exposure to medicine came when someone close to me was diagnosed with cancer during my childhood. I saw firsthand the trust patients place in their physicians during vulnerable moments, and it left a lasting impression on me. That experience helped shape my desire to pursue medicine and deepened my appreciation for the privilege of caring for patients and their loved ones during some of life’s most difficult and meaningful times.

College: I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical sciences.

What led to your career path: I was drawn to family medicine because it offers the opportunity to care for patients across the lifespan while also focusing on prevention and education. I am particularly passionate about helping patients understand their health and make sustainable lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic disease and reduce avoidable hospitalizations. The broad training of family medicine will allow me to use a wide range of clinical skills to meet the needs of underserved populations, while also emphasizing patient education and community-centered care.

UTSW activities: I serve on the Gold Humanism Honor Society Community Service Committee and help continue our partnership with the Ronald McDonald House.

What words describe your UTSW experience: Great training and a supportive community.

One tip for medical school success: Avoid getting so lost in the volume of information that you lose sight of the patient in front of you. Let your desire to understand medicine be rooted in a genuine desire to improve the well-being of the person you are caring for.

Favorite way to relieve stress: I love spending time with family and friends outdoors. It always helps me recharge.

Surprising fact: I have a 15-month-old daughter and a second on the way!

Future plans: My residency begins soon at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Long term, my goal is to practice full-spectrum family medicine in a rural, underserved community.

About the award: The award honors Dr. Lancaster and her husband, Dr. Edgar Lancaster. In 1953 they opened the Grapevine Clinic and Hospital, the first clinic in Grapevine and the forerunner of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center at Grapevine.