Yamilka grew up in Puerto Rico, where she developed a passion for medicine from a young age. Following her dream, she moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, where she completed her medical degree. While receiving her training, she also acted as the Medical Integration Program Coordinator of Guimedic, providing access to care for underserved communities in remote areas of Mexico. After completing her psychiatry clerkship in Reno, Nevada, she developed a more profound interest in pediatric psychiatry, which led her to Stanford University School of Medicine.  At Stanford, she served as Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator in the Early Life Stress and Pediatric Anxiety Program in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, focusing on early childhood trauma.