How has the VCOM mission inspired you as a medical student?    

The VCOM mission has inspired me as a medical student by reminding me what it really means to be globally-minded and community-focused here in our own backyard. VCOM's mission goes far past words on paper, this school really does work to serve areas that are medically underserved and works to prepare their student to be doctors that will be able to do the same.

Why did you choose VCOM?    

I chose VCOM because before I was even accepted I felt genuinely welcomed by the school and all of the staff. VCOM made a very noticeable effort to reach out to and stay in contact with their applicant and prospective students which was something I really admired.

What do you enjoy most about living in the area around your campus?    

One of the most notable things about Monroe, and one of the first things I noticed when I moved here, is how kind everybody is! Everyone you meet has a friendly smile and is more than willing to lend a hand in any way they can. (The bayou is a bonus- it was my first time seeing a real-life alligator!)

Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?    

I've always been interested in obstetrics and gynecology, and in being a part of ACOOG (American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists) at the Louisiana campus, I have been able to learn so much from our faculty at VCOM as well as from practitioners in the community. I've seen the vast disparities in women's health highlighted here in our own community and it has inspired my interest in this specialty even further. Big changes start small and it has been so amazing seeing little changes being made in our own backyard that will lead to great advancements.

VCOM's mission goes far past words on paper, this school really does work to serve areas that are medically underserved and works to prepare their student to be doctors that will be able to do the same.

Who or what has inspired you while at VCOM?    

The students. The way my classmates strive to be the best at what they do is truly admirable. While at VCOM, I met the most resilient and inspiring group of people. We all came to VCOM with one purpose in common, to become physicians, and we knew medical school was going to be an arduous pilgrimage, but the empathetic and caring personalities not only of my classmates but also of the faculty and staff have made this journey a lot easier and enjoyable.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you as a medical student?    

As an immigrant, VCOMs mission speaks to who I am. I was born and raised in Colombia in a small rural town where medical care was limited. Then my family and I moved to South Florida, where we were part of the medically underserved population many immigrants find themselves. As a medical student, VCOM’s mission has encouraged me to share my culture and learn from other cultures as well. Thus, as we go on to become physicians, we can better care for our patients and communities from diverse backgrounds.

Why did you choose VCOM?    

There are multiple reasons why I chose VCOM as my medical school. First, it is an Osteopathic medical school, which was my priority. Second, during my interview day and other online events I had attended previously, VCOM had the happiest medical students. For me, it was essential to attend a school where I would feel included. Additionally, the faculty and staff seem to be invested in offering the students as much support as needed. Lastly, VCOMs strong commitment to serving its community locally and internationally was another contributing factor.

What do you like to do in your free time?    

On a regular basis, I enjoy cooking, watching movies/series, and exercising. Although making time to do these things was hard at the beginning of medical school, I have learned how important and needed it is. During block breaks, I enjoy traveling the world and visiting family. Backpacking with my husband is a hobby we have acquired over the years, and now it is something we must do despite our busy lives. Now in medical school, we aim to schedule our trips during my breaks. Planning these trips motivates me, and it is something I look forward to it also keeps me going when the blocks get challenging and overwhelming.

Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?    

Before coming to medical school, I worked as a behavioral therapist for kids with difficulty adjusting to societal norms. Thus becoming a pediatrician is what I think I want to do… I say “think” because I know I would like to work with kids, but I feel once we are exposed to other fields during rotations, I will have a better idea.

As an immigrant, VCOMs mission speaks to who I am. I was born and raised in Colombia in a small rural town where medical care was limited. Then my family and I moved to South Florida, where we were part of the medically underserved population many immigrants find themselves. As a medical student, VCOM’s mission has encouraged me to share my culture and learn from other cultures as well.

Who or what has inspired you while at VCOM?

All the people within the VCOM Louisiana family have inspired me during my time here.  The camaraderie of the faculty and students on campus has been a pleasure to be a part of.  The diversity of cultures and backgrounds of the faculty and staff and seeing how everyone is at different points in their life journey has been energizing.  This experience helps to keep me motivated towards my goal of fulfilling VCOM’s mission and making impacts within the community I practice as a future physician. Dr. John Lipka, a fellow Louisiana native and rural physician, has inspired me with his devotion to leaving a legacy of educating future physicians.  The time and effort he dedicates to training future physicians and giving clinical and professional career advice is an excellent example of VCOM’s mission.  He is always willing to go above and beyond to help students become better future physicians.

How has the VCOM mission inspired you as a medical student?

The VCOM mission has inspired me as a medical student by preparing me for my career as a future physician in a multitude of ways.  The Preventative Medicine class includes a community engagement project which inspires medical students to become involved in the local community.  This project matches VCOM’s mission of being community-focused physicians in our future practices.  VCOM includes community physicians as guest lecturers who impart the wisdom they have gained in their practice in these local rural communities.  This piece of our curriculum inspires me as a medical student to become an integral and influential part of the healthcare mechanism in the local community in which I practice.

Who or what inspired you to study medicine?

I was initially inspired by the field of medicine through my life-changing near-death experience with viral meningitis at the age of 13.  I witnessed first-hand the unique role a physician along with the entire healthcare team plays in saving and shaping lives.  I coupled this experience with my observations of our own local family physician throughout my upbringing.  Witnessing how integral a family physician is to a small community and the many roles they play inspired me to pursue a career as a physician.  The empathy and professionalism displayed by my family physician provided me with a great example of what we as future physicians should strive to become and uphold.

Why did you choose VCOM?

I chose VCOM specifically due to its mission of improving healthcare within rural areas.  The Louisiana campus of VCOM is located in Monroe, LA near my rural hometown of Bastrop, LA.  It has been a privilege to be able to pursue my medical education within the community I grew up in and also be able to give back to the community which has given me so much.  VCOM has an impeccable reputation for producing professional and highly motivated physicians and it was a big reason I was excited to choose VCOM as my medical school and I would make the same choice today.

What do you enjoy most about living in the area around your campus?

The area around the Monroe campus is home so it has been a pleasure coming back home to pursue my medical education and be a part of this community again.  I personally enjoy the amount of locally owned food and entertainment options available within the Monroe area.  There are also many locally owned coffee shops and eateries which make great alternative places to study. The Monroe area also has abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.

What do you like to do in your free time?

My free time is often occupied by spending time at the gym and going on walks in the local community.  I am also able to enjoy the abundant outdoor recreational opportunities within the Monroe area in the form of various types of hunting and fishing.  The Monroe area has the Ouachita River running through the twin cities along with abundant lakes and ponds in the area for fishing and recreation.  The VCOM campus sits on Bayou Desiard which is a great place for fishing or exploring the bayou in a kayak.  There are kayaks available on campus to take out on the bayou and explore the beauty of an ancient waterway.  

Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?

I came to medical school with an open mind without having my heart set on a particular specialty within medicine.  Internal medicine and Emergency medicine are my two top interests at the moment.  Internal medicine is intriguing to me because I enjoy many different areas of medicine.  As an internal medicine physician, you see many different types of patients often needing complex levels of care.  Internal medicine physicians are tasked with coordinating care with a multitude of different medical specialists.  Internal medicine physicians can work in many different settings of medicine including ICU, wards, outpatient clinics, and emergency departments in certain facilities.  Emergency medicine intrigues me because I enjoy the adrenaline of being on the front lines of hospital-based medicine.  Emergency medicine physicians are the first physicians to see patients when they come to the hospital with any number of ailments or acute trauma.  What attracts me to both Internal medicine and Emergency medicine is the need to have a very broad base of medical knowledge in order to apply it to patients with many different types of ailments and medical needs.