education
From Passion to Purpose: My Journey as a 22-Year-Old Mexican Woman Towards General Surgery
by Paula Nieto Passion is a powerful engine that drives us toward our goals and dreams. When it is directed toward the well-being of others, it transforms into a meaningful purpose. As a 22-year-old woman in Mexico, my aspiration to specialize in general surgery is deeply rooted in the desire to serve others and make a difference in their lives. Currently, I am conducting a year of research to deepen my understanding of the field and enhance my skills as I prepare for my future in surgery. My family background, through which I have been involved for ten years with the association Amigo-Tez, supporting children from low-income communities in Mexico, has greatly shaped my perspective on medicine and medical practice. A Legacy of Service I come from a family that has dedicated its life to serving others. Since I was young, I have witnessed the impact we can have on...
Navigating Conference Networking & Presenting as a Medical Student
by Rachel Akers, MS I vividly remember my first medical school conference. I left the library, suitcase and poster tube in hand, and hopped into an Uber to O’Hare. A few hours later, I was somewhere across the Atlantic, heading towards Berlin. I stood in front of my poster, hoping that no one had any questions beyond my knowledge base as a medical student. I’ve attended many more conferences since, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned. Fully engage with the conference Find sessions that interest you. Many conferences have event apps that allow attendees to preview scheduled forums. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Our knowledge may not be as advanced as others, but everyone starts somewhere. It’s okay to ask questions, you’re there to learn. Exhaust all options for funding Talking about money can seem taboo, but many research grants have travel funding. Don’t be afraid to...
The Shadow of Sacrifice
by Ashley Martinez I stared back at her feet in four-inch heels as I lay under my mother’s desk, awakening from my nap. A single mother of three, my mother worked what seemed like all hours of the day to make ends meet. As a result, I quickly became accustomed to napping under her desk after school or sipping on a juice that her client offered me and my youngest brother while we sat in the living room of a home we could only dream would be ours. Was her work ethic passed down to me due to genetics, model behavior, or a mix of both? Now, as a third-year medical student, I like to think it’s an accumulation of these factors, once fueled by the need to prove myself, but now sustained by something far greater. There was no doubt that I was smart. I took after my mom...
Waltz of the OR – Finding the Music from Within
by Minjal Patel There is an air of musicality that has drawn me towards the OR, whether it is the organized chaos of the beeping monitors or the sounds of steel instruments hitting the table as the team prepares for the patient to arrive. It reminds me of a Chopin waltz – everyone carefully navigates the space as the pristine sheets of blue are draped over the patient. Having trained in classical piano performance since the age of nine, I often find parallels between music and surgery. Those similar bright lights that shine overhead illuminate the surgical field while blurring the rest. While it may seem like a dramatic romanticization of surgery, I reflect on my training as a pianist, which spanned over a decade and has now become a pivotal part of who I am today. It transports me to the time I performed a structured Bach prelude in...
Tools for Empowering Female Medical Students in Research
By Xiomara Ortiz As a fourth-year medical student with aspirations of becoming a surgeon, engaging in research is an essential and fulfilling step in your career journey. Research allows you to deepen your understanding of surgical practices, hone your critical thinking skills, and build meaningful connections with mentors and colleagues who can guide your professional development. However, for female medical students, particularly those from smaller programs or non-traditional educational backgrounds, initiating or finding research opportunities can be challenging. This guide provides practical advice on how to get started and make the most of your research experience. Attend events and join professional organizations Networking is a cornerstone for finding research opportunities, especially if your medical school lacks integrated research programs. Begin by evaluating your current network and identifying your goals. Do you wish to gain insight into a particular surgical specialty? Are you aiming to publish papers or participate in clinical...
Empowering Women in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Future
By: Dr. Shohreh Ghasemi The field of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is dynamic and essential, focusing on surgical procedures involving the mouth, jaw, and face. As more women enter this specialty, it becomes increasingly important to recognize their contributions, the challenges they face, and the strides they have made toward greater representation. Over the past few decades, the landscape of OMS has changed considerably. Women now represent an increasing percentage of residents and practicing surgeons in this specialty. This shift signals a broader change in the medical profession, where women are stepping into roles once predominantly held by men. Notable female surgeons who have made significant contributions to oral and maxillofacial surgery and beyond include Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor, Dr. Gaziya Al-Habib, Dr. Nada Al-Badri, Dr. Valerie Murrah, Dr. Maria Troulis, Dr. Rania Habib, Dr. Patricia Numann, Dr. Salma Kefi, and Dr. Noma Heena. Adding to this inspiring list...
Getting the Reps In: Lessons Learned on Building Mental and Physical Strength While in Medical School
By: Rica Generoso As a third-year medical student navigating the clinics and operating room, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a lifeline. Many hospital experiences have left me in awe, bringing to life medical knowledge I’d only read about, but the emotional rollercoaster of patient care and the constant pressure to perform can be overwhelming. No matter how prepared I felt, you can’t truly understand until you’re in it. What tested my resilience wasn’t just academics but also my passion for physical fitness. Many who have blazed the trail before us say the most important thing you can do as a medical student is to keep doing what makes you happy outside the hospital. For me, that happiness comes from weightlifting. As a former collegiate swimmer and water polo player, I’ve always been at home in the weight room, and that love has only grown since...
First-Generation Immigrants in Medicine: Overcoming the Challenges
By Juliana Ampadu Otiwaah My Journey As a first-generation immigrant, my path to becoming a doctor was far from straightforward. My family immigrated from Ghana to Canada nearly 30 years ago. My father arrived first, working tirelessly to create a foundation for us. Three years later, my mother, brother, and I joined him. My parents, both blue-collar workers, did their best to support me, but they weren’t familiar with the complexities of higher education. When making decisions about my future, I had to rely on teachers and school staff for guidance—many of whom underestimated my potential based on early academic performance. Growing up in a French-speaking region and learning English presented additional challenges, as did navigating schoolwork without my parents’ ability to assist. By high school, I had unlocked my potential and excelled academically, but understanding how to pursue a career in medicine remained a mystery. Nursing became a practical...
Breaking the glass ceiling: Importance of representation in medicine
By Camila Gonzalez,MD The glass ceiling is a metaphorical concept used to describe an intangible barrier that hinders the career advancement of certain individuals, particularly those seeking to attain managerial or executive positions within an organization or industry. Unfortunately, this term can be applied to the current environment in medicine, where underrepresented groups such as women and International Medical Doctors (IMGs) face significant obstacles in advancing their careers. This is a concept that I have been dealing with for a large portion of my young medical career. I come from a family of strong women who did the best they could with their circumstances, between migrating continents and countries, taking care of their families, and assuming jobs that could bring food to the table and give better opportunities for the generations to come by sacrificing their dreams. A good example of this is my grandmother, who had a great affinity...
Sci-Fi to Surgery: The life story of a Latin American surgeon
By: Alix Yurany Baez Ramirez, MD In an operating room, under a mask, you don't know the life story on the other side. What decision has made the person in front of him decide to enter the world of medicine? After all, we are all stories, the sum of our experiences, the sum of the dreams we had as children, the construction of longings or whims in adolescence, and the social and cultural realities that surround us to become and build those adults that we visualized as children. This is mine. To better understand the context of my story, it is important to consider higher education statistics in our region. According to UNESCO-IESALC (2020), higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean has experienced an acceleration in the enrollment process, going from 23% in 2000 to 52% in 2018. This expansion is attributed to three main factors: an increase in...
