Throughout my four years of college, I continued to have experiences that reassured me of my career choice. Being a Child Life volunteer at UF Shands was the most significant of them all. Seeing the children weekly and developing relationships with them drew me closer to medicine. Those children had so much hope, and my memories with them inspire me every day.
Who or what has inspired you while at VCOM?
The faculty and staff inspire me every day at VCOM. They have created a productive and supportive academic environment by working hard every single day. This past year with all the challenges from COVID-19, the faculty and staff have continued to give us all their time and energy to make our educational experience the best it could be.
How has the VCOM mission-inspired you as a medical student?
VCOM's mission to prepare community-focused physicians inspires me to continue my medical education and give back to the community. Recently, the faculty and students have volunteered to help with the local COVID-19 vaccination clinic. Being able to help the city of Auburn in such a crucial time inspires us to be physicians and give back to the local community in times of need.
Who or what inspired you to study medicine?
I knew I was going to be a physician from a young age. Coming from a family of physicians, I was always exposed to the medical field and loved seeing what my aunts and uncles did every day. My family sparked my interest in medicine, and I continued exploring the field through the medical academy at my high school. Throughout my four years of college, I continued to have experiences that reassured me of my career choice. Being a Child Life volunteer at UF Shands was the most significant of them all. Seeing the children weekly and developing relationships with them drew me closer to medicine. Those children had so much hope, and my memories with them inspire me every day.
Why did you choose VCOM?
I chose VCOM because of its warm and welcoming environment. Before my interview, I knew VCOM's education was highly ranked and would give me all the opportunities to be the best medical student. The family feel that I saw during the interview process solidified my choice. The faculty and staff genuinely care about the student's success, and they are dedicated at all hours of the week to help each student. This caring dedication from the staff made choosing VCOM simple and easy.
What do you enjoy most about living in the area around your campus?
Auburn is the perfect mix of a college town with a family-oriented foundation. Downtown is my favorite area with so many shops and amazing restaurants. I have enjoyed many resources at Auburn University, including the campus gym, sporting events, library, and a healthy academic environment.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to spend my free time with my family and friends. Auburn-Opelika area has a wide range of restaurants, bars, and local shops that I have slowly discovered over my two years living here. When I have vacation time, I enjoy traveling to my hometown in Brazil and flying to Italy for vacation.
Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?
I am interested in pediatrics. My volunteering experiences in undergrad helped me discover my passion for the field. I heard from a pediatrician once, "a sick child has more hope than any healthy adult." That phrase has stayed with me for years and helps inspire me to be a pediatrician. As much as I love pediatrics, I am keeping an open mind going into my third year, and I am very excited to explore all the different fields and specialties.