The Hispanic Center of Excellence (HCOE) has been a valuable
resource for me. My first experience at HCOE was when I went
to interview for the Medicine Scholars Program. With my
induction into the program, I was able to take advantage of what
the program had to offer. The program taught classes on the first
Saturday of each month. In some of these classes we learned
different approaches of medicine. Each class was taught by a
doctor who was practicing in the current field being discussed.
For an example, a grand round lecture was presented by Dr.
Jose DelaCruz, UIC Director, Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Services. He spoke about his sub-specialty in cornea surgery. I
would have never guessed this field to be an option for medical
doctors. Most people don’t know the difference between an
optometrist and ophthalmologist. Dr. DelaCruz presented
a video of a surgical procedure where the patient had their
cataracts replaced with plastic cataracts. This presentation
definitely aroused my curiosity and ignited my interest in eye
surgery. The swift yet delicate movements of the scalpel along
with the ability to help people see aroused my interests in this
field. Without HCOE and the Medicina Scholars Program I
would have never even considered this specialty.
Also the Medicina Scholars Program, has strengthened my
problem solving skills. I remember at the end of the first year
of the program HCOE invited us to a leadership conference
in Oakbrook at Hamburger University. At the conference our
leadership skills were challenged. We had to work in groups
and complete problem solving tactics. I recall a theoretical
situation where nuclear fallout just hit the Chicago land area.
I sharpened my leadership skills by taking ownership of the
situation and assigning tasks to every member in our group.
We had to transport balloons across the room using only small
pipe cleaners. The balloons represented organs needed for dying patients. If the balloons were touch by human hands it
would contaminate the organ and eliminate it. In pairs of two
we transported as many balloons as we could across the room.
The task appeared to be easy, but wasn’t. We worked as a team
to complete the task.
Another way HCOE has been a valuable resource for me is
through the opportunities it has opened up for me. One example
of how HCOE has opened up opportunities for me is through
volunteer work. HCOE has emphasized volunteering and
therefore I considered applying for a student work study position
with the Veterans Association. Once my work study position
concluded I decided to take HCOE’s advice and volunteer for
my former boss. This was recommended by HCOE as a way to
strengthen my medical school application. After about a year of
volunteering a job opportunity arose for full time students that were veterans. My boss highly recommended that I apply for
the position. I have just been informed that I have been hired to
work at the Veterans Association Jesse Brown Medical Hospital.
I have been hired to assist in the Nuclear Medicine department
by taking x-ray scans of internal organs and bone densities of
patients. This job opportunity will also enable me to become a
certified x-ray technician. It will also open many opportunities
to experience other departments within the hospital. I would
like to thank HCOE and its staff because without them I would
never have received this job opportunity. I am grateful to be able
to help veterans. I am a veteran. I have served four years in the
United States Marine Corps. It is thorough my experiences in
the military and in the Medicina Scholars Program that will help
and encourage me to succeed in becoming a doctor. Even though
my commitment in the Medicina Scholars Program will end, I
am grateful that my relationship with HCOE will not. During
these two years with HCOE, I have built strong relationships
and have trusted and leaned on the staff for support not only in
guidance in school but also guidance in my personal life. These
relationships will last a lifetime.
