my name:  Velda Ocasio Ramírez

 

 

 

who am i?  

 

BS/MD program PUCPR/PHSU

21y/o

Ponce 

 

 

why am I part of Legacy LITTLE heroes?

 

I love counseling and mentoring.

 

 

where am I? what am I doing this summer?

 

I am in the Department of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital doing a pilot study to set background levels of noise and particulate matter to 2.5 in East Harlem. 

 

 

how did I come across what I'm doing?

 

I was searching in Google and AAMC for opportunities to do research this summer. I picked eight that I liked and applied to them.  The process was stressful because I hate doing essays and the deadlines and tests were getting closer, but once you have a solid personal statement you just have to make the appropriate adjustments to what you initially wrote.

 

 

I consider that the most important part of the application is to demonstrate that you have some kind of experience in the field you are applying for.  I thought I had no experience but then I remembered old projects to which I didn't give much credit before.  

 

 

My advice: A good method that really works for me is to give the chance to people that know you (old friends, fellows, mentors, parents)  to help you get thinking about your past experiences. I forget everything I do and most of the time I underestimate my work so for me, it is very helpful to have that feedback from other people who know me well and who will give me a different point of view.

 

 

what fascinates me about what I'm doing?

 

I have been interested for a long time in environmental issues, conservation of resources, and safer living conditions. I was mainly involved in the conservation of the environment when I was in high school, but then I got more into community service in college. I wanted to do a lot of minors when I first started college because I liked so many different fields.  I wasn't having doubts about medicine, I just didn't want to feel like I was settling. 

 

This summer has been an amazing experience because I am having the opportunity to learn how many different paths I can take inside the field of medicine and how I can combine many of my different interests in my future practice.