my name:  Hector Banchs

 

 

 

who am i?  

 

I’m a second year medical student at PHSU.

 

 

why am I part of Legacy LITTLE heroes?

 

Because I believe in the project. I want to help people learn about themselves. And I want to learn about myself, too.

 

 

where am I? what am I doing this summer?

 

 I am in San Juan, Puerto Rico and this summer I’ve done a few things. Firstly, I’ve taken time to chill out and rest, and rediscover myself. Studying all year long can take a lot out of you.

 

 I’ve also been working though, as part of a clinical research project in Centro Cardiovascular de Puerto Rico y el Caribe (CCPRC). The research focuses on identifying epidemiological trends in the Puerto Rican population.

 

Another thing I’ve done is shadowing. I’ve been able to observe in the CCPRC invasive laboratory and also in Administracion de Servicios Medicos de Puerto Rico (ASEM) in Centro Medico with the UPR-RCM radiology department.

 

how did I come across what I'm doing?

 

By networking, and personally contacting people there. I’ve found that the faculty at UPR-RCM is generally receptive of students no matter where they come from. It is hard to provide any useful links, but the RCM webpage should list the faculty members who are conducting research, or at least the clinical sciences departments’ contact information.

 

 

What inspires me every day in what I am doing?

 

It is inspiring to see exactly what clinical medicine is all about, and how physicians’ work can make a direct impact on their patients’ lives. As for the research, there is excitement in working towards a goal and seeing the fruits of your labor take shape. There is also something to be said for expanding the knowledge in a certain field. 

                 

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

 

In many ways: academically and personally. I think I have become a stronger, more mature person. I see myself becoming more and more the person I would like to be. It is extremely satisfying.

 

I hope to keep maturing and to become the best version of myself I can possibly be. I feel that every little experience in life counts towards achieving one’s goals, and this should be no different. 

 

 

what fascinates me about what I'm doing?

 

It is inspiring to see exactly what clinical medicine is all about, and how physicians’ work can make a direct impact on their patients’ lives. As for the research, there is excitement in working towards a goal and seeing the fruits of your labor take shape. There is also something to be said for expanding the knowledge in a certain field.