Dr. Geohaira Sosa, a 32-year-old first-year psychiatry resident at UC Davis, tragically passed away on August 29, 2024, after being struck by a vehicle while riding an electric scooter in Sacramento, California.
The accident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of Alhambra Boulevard and Folsom Boulevard.
Sosa, who had relocated to Sacramento from Queens, New York, just two months earlier to begin her residency, leaves behind a grieving community and family.
Dr. Sosa’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends, and loved ones. Described as a joyful and compassionate person, her colleagues at UC Davis were devastated by her sudden passing.
In a GoFundMe campaign organized by the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry, Sosa was remembered as “an absolutely beautiful person inside and out,” with a promising career ahead of her.
Her co-interns, who had grown close to her during her short time at UC Davis, pledged to honor her memory by continuing to embody her positive spirit.
A proud Puerto Rican and the first in her family to pursue a medical career, Dr. Sosa’s educational journey was marked by outstanding achievements.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Queens College as a first-generation college student and went on to earn a master’s degree in urban bioethics from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
Sosa’s dedication to medicine and advocacy for marginalized communities was central to her work.
Beyond her academic accomplishments, Dr. Sosa was deeply committed to addressing mental health disparities.
She served as a mental health ambassador for low-income students and contributed to a newsletter providing health education to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Her commitment to serving vulnerable populations left a lasting impact on those who knew her.
In the wake of her passing, a GoFundMe page created in her honor quickly surpassed its $30,000 goal, raising over $37,000 to support her family during this difficult time.
Dr. Sosa’s legacy as a compassionate and driven physician will continue to inspire those who knew her.
