Larisa Benta, MD

Where are you from? Vancouver, British Columbia.

Why did you choose the College of Medicine – Tucson Pediatrics Residency Program? When I interviewed with U of A, it became evident to me that the program truly values and prioritizes wellness. The level of camaraderie, mutual support and teamwork were very important to me when choosing a program to train at, and I felt like U of A met all of those characteristics.

What are your current professional interests and career goals? I would like to pursue a fellowship after completing residency. At the moment, I am leaning more toward allergy and immunology — however, I would like to keep an open mind throughout my training and explore different subspecialties.

What are your personal interests and hobbies? Hanging out with family and friends as much as possible, go for walks with my 3-year-old shichon, Chloe. I love traveling, exploring new cultures and languages, and trying new cuisines.

What is your favorite thing about Tucson? The people. Everyone I’ve interacted with so far has been really friendly and welcoming, and that made my transition a little easier.

What are your non-medical goals during residency? Explore Arizona, practice speaking Spanish more often and become more proficient by the end of my training.