my name:  Bianca Plaza

 

 

 

who am i?

 

I am about to begin my 2nd year as a medical student in Ponce School of Medicine

 

why am I part of Legacy LITTLE heroes?

 

When I was younger I didn’t have a mentor or someone to help me decide if medicine was indeed the right choice for me. I am a part of little heroes because I want to encourage, guide, and help others discover if becoming a doctor is something they really want to do. 

 

 

when did I know I wanted to study medicine?

 

For me, medicine was not something that I bumped into and there was no specific moment when I thought “ok, this is what I want”. I’ve wanted to become a doctor ever since I can remember even though nobody in my family has ever chosen a career in health sciences. It was not easy for me, since I admit there was a time when I doubted my decision, but as I participated in community service at hospitals and care centers I saw how rewarding this lifestyle really is. I think these reasons combined with my passion for interacting with people and healing really solidified what I wanted, and are the reasons why I am here today.

 

 

what fascinates me about medicine?

 

Like I mentioned before, I enjoy interacting with people and helping those who are in need. I am also fascinated by how the body works and how something so complex as the human body functions so harmoniously.  Most importantly, learning how to solve problems and knowing how to recognize a specific set of symptoms in order to reach a diagnosis presents a challenge. My interest in science, the challenging aspects of medicine, and being able to interact with others while having a positive impact in society are the things that keep me interested in medicine.

 

 

what am I doing this summer?

 

During the summer I am partaking in endometriosis and ovarian cancer research in the field of biochemistry at Ponce School of Medicine

 

 

is there something here that younger students could do?

 

my advice: Before medical school volunteering is a must!! There are many shadowing or voluntary positions available in clinics and hospitals so do your research! Participating in student organizations is also important because it demonstrates that you are well integrated in your school community. Although I did not participate in research during my undergraduate years, I believe this is one of the better ways to get noticed by any medical school. Look for research opportunities in your school or ask classmates and colleagues; they may have knowledge about research or voluntary service opportunities. Maintaining a good GPA is important, but the MCAT is even more so. There are many review courses you can take, although they are expensive and don’t work for everyone. Books that I found helpful were MCAT Krakers (Biology and verbal reasoning sections)  and Berkley Review Series (for physics and chemistry) I also have additional certifications such as medical billing, red cross lifesaver training and CPR. The point is to stand out and have memorable experiences in your application. 

 

 

what inspires me every day in what I'm doing?

 

Medical school is difficult and very time consuming, so I try to find inspiration in the little things. Reading other students stories on how they chose medicine or talking medicine amongst your friends can serve as great motivation and it has definitely helped inspire me to keep going. Make some time for voluntary service as well since participating in health related activities keeps you looking forward and focused on your goal. Also taking time to get to know your colleagues is great because you can help each other through medical school, create special friendships, and find inspiration in people who are going through the same experience as you are.

 

how have I grown so far after my first year of medical school?

 

I have grown in many ways during my first year, but I think the biggest change has been that I am now more teamwork-oriented. Even though I never had a problem working and studying with others, I preferred doing things on my own. Now I enjoy working on a team and after this first year I have become better at communicating and dealing with different personalities in a professional environment.