Laura Aravena

• Wayne State University School of Medicine

Bio

Laura Aravena, MD (she/her/hers) joined DFMCH in 2025 as a resident. Aravena is drawn to family medicine for the broad scope of practice and the ability to form lasting relationships with patients and their families.

During medical school, Aravena served as a near-peer tutor where she supported junior students with clinical skills, exam preparation, and applying to family medicine residency programs. She developed a workshop aimed at teaching communication skills in a low-pressure environment through the use of medical improv. Aravena also was a board member of a plant-based nutrition group that provided educational sessions for students and the community on the role of plant-based nutrition in disease prevention and management, while advocating for the inclusion of nutrition education in the medical school curriculum.

Outside of medicine, Aravena enjoys ballroom dancing, caring for houseplants, hiking, baking, and exploring new foods and restaurants.

Professional Interests

• Lifestyle medicine
• Women’s health
• Procedures
• Medical education