From personal tribulations to inspiring volunteer work, students at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston share their journeys to a medical career. These fourth-year students will join over 200 classmates on March 21 at Webber Plaza, to open envelopes revealing their residency matches, coordinated nationally by the National Resident Matching Program.
Dillon Humpal reflects on a personal tragedy that steered him toward medicine. A plane crash claimed his mother's life and severely injured his sister. "We were taken under the care of some really great doctors in our community," he said. Dillon plans to honor his family by becoming an orthopedic surgeon in Corpus Christi.
Elizabeth Rodriguez was driven by witnessing her father's battle with cancer. She aims to offer empathetic care lacking in his treatment. "I want to be a more empathetic physician," she said, aspiring to join the Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency and support patients like her father.
Jacob Urbina's life changed after losing a finger during flood relief efforts. He adapted to nine fingers and pursued biomedical engineering. Designing 3D prosthetic limbs inspired a career in physical medicine. "I can shake your hand now," a child's words, prompted Jacob's shift to medicine.
Jeffrey Mayo found humility in medicine. "Interacting with patients taught me to approach each encounter with gratitude," he said. With a background in boxing, he prepares for his next step in this career with optimism, whether in Houston or elsewhere.
Katrina Caszatt's dream to be a doctor stems from childhood. She is set to start a family medicine residency at Eglin Air Force Base. "I had a lot of incredible mentors in my life," she said, ready to connect military service and medicine.
Madeline Guy was inspired by a classmate's speech on the need for bilingual physicians. Her path, combining medical studies with Spanish, led her to pediatric medicine with a focus on care from the start, including a potential career in intensive care.
Karla Madrigal's passion for health care policy and dermatology began early. "I want to increase health care awareness and education," she said. She aims to pursue a dermatology residency while impacting legislative change in health care.
Panayiotis Kontoyiannis and Camila Ayerbe, both first-generation Americans, found common ground in medicine and Match Day hopes. "We share a lot of the same values," Camila said. Together, they hope to match near each other, seeking to continue their shared commitment to underserved communities.
These students' stories illustrate varied paths, from community service to personal experiences, driving them to the field of medicine, each ready to contribute uniquely to healthcare. Their journey continues on Match Day, marking a significant step in their professional lives.
